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Cement manufacturer CIMAF Cement Ghana Limited has recognised and rewarded its customers whose hard work and efforts have helped to promote growth of the company’s products and brand in the country at an awards and dinner event held in Accra.
The event was the company’s way of showing appreciation to its cherished customers and distributors, aside from providing the platform for networking and bonding toward the coming year and beyond.
The occasion was also to mark two years of the company’s operations on the domestic market, a period that has seen CIMAF Cement become a household name within the construction and real estate space.
A total of 17 companies were rewarded on the night from three categories comprising national, regional and promising awardees. They each received a plaque, citation and bags of cement.
They include Nana K. Gyasi Company Limited; K. Ofori Enterprise Limited; Estaaron Ventures; and Prikwak Ventures in the national category.
Regional winners were: Williben Enterprise, Daavi Bless Enterprise, Aspet ‘A’ and Onokwafo Building for the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and Eastern & Volta Regions respectively.
The rest were K. Nyame Builders for the Western & Central regions; Anutaba for the Upper East Region; and Jacob 78 for Upper West Region.
The awardees for the promising category were St. Joseph’s Services Limited; K.K. Peprah Company Limited; Agyamens 09 Company Limited; Alpha Apollo Limited; Dobans Bee Enterprise; and Gladys Great Provider.
Area Director for CIMAF, Mr. Naciri Mohammed, commended the customers and distributors as well as government and other players within the building space for their immense support over the last two years.
He assured the public and its customers that the company will continue to produce quality standard cement to support the country’s building and construction sector.
He said: “CIMAF appreciates your support in our few years of operations in Ghana. We will continue to take the strictest international, environmental as well as quality standards to produce the best for the continent”.
CIMAF’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Joseph Kobina Aboo, in his remarks said the company will continue to produce quality cement to serve the current and future generations, and applauded management, customers and industry stakeholders for their continuous support.
Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, expressed appreciation to CIMAF for promoting quality within the building and real estate sector with its top quality cement products.
He said government will partner top brands such as CIMAF in its quest to bridge the country’s housing deficit.
“As a ministry, we will continue to support and provide the needed assistance that will ensure their smooth operation in the country,” he added.


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How AI is driving Google from “finding answers” to “getting things done”
People at Google I/O 2019 conference witnessed the progress of ongoing AI journey of Alphabet Inc. Two years ago, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged their strategic shift from Mobile First to AI First in the same event. Little did anyone imagine the possible impact of Artificial Intelligence on Google’s platforms, products, and services at that time.
“We are moving from a company that helps you find answers to a company that helps you get things done,” said Pichai in his keynote address. He went on to explain the company’s goal of making Google more helpful and making all their products work harder for people. He reminded the audience about Google’s successful AI interventions like auto-suggested replies in Gmail and fastest route finder of Google Maps.
Telling a Complete Story
He opened up the conference by talking about the service from where it all started for them, i.e., Google Search. He showcased the “Full Coverage” news feature of Google Search, which is going to cover all the stories related to a particular query with the help of machine learning. Taking the example of recent news related to the photograph of a Black Hole. He showed how Google can bring all the relevant web content of this story in a single view.
Seeing is Believing
Aparna C. (VP and Head of Product, Google) then talked about the amalgamation of the camera and AR capabilities to Google search. She demonstrated the power of visualization by showing an AR Great White Shark on the stage. She also explained how Google can make students understand the concepts by actually seeing the related 3D animations on their study tables.
(Sources: theverge.com, phonearena.com)
When Physical Met Digital
Google Lens, an AI camera tool introduced last year, is also made more useful in certain new ways. Lens enabled devices can be used to highlight the popular dishes of a restaurant right on the menu. The Lens can also help in the calculation of the tip and splitting up of the bill. All this can be done by just pointing your camera in the right direction.
Soon, food magazines will not only tell you the recipe but actually show you how you can prepare the dish. The magazine pages will come alive as soon as you point Lens on them to enhance your visual experience even further. Google is going to partner with museums, magazine publishers, and retailers for the successful expansion of this technology.
Unknown Languages but Familiar World
You can now roam around the world without worrying about the language constraints. Google introduced new speech capabilities, and text translation features in their app, Google GO. It can translate and read out aloud the actual printed text on the posters, notice boards, hard papers, and signboards in your preferred language. This is available in over a dozen languages and comes in phones that cost less than $35. Hence, it can help over 800 million people in the world who find it difficult to read.
A Helping Hand
Google AI is acting as a helping hand for specially-abled people too. For instance, deaf and mute people can now use mobile phones for their conversations with the help of a technology called Live Relay. Live Relay converts speech from the other side into text and user’s text responses into speech and that too very smoothly.
Google also told about their research project Euphonia, under which they are trying to capture and analyze the speech patterns of people who cannot be easily understood. For example, the people who stutter or those who have been hit by a stroke or ALS. This project intends to create new personalized voice recognition models that can be integrated with Google Assistant.
This is Just a Start
Google is not stopping with their AI explorations any time soon. It seems like Google will keep on working hard to accomplish its mission of “organizing the world’s information,” and AI consulting services will surely help them in getting it done. In short, we can say that this is just the start of AI in the world of information.
Some other Google AI innovations like Duplex on the Web, Live Caption, Live Transcribe, DialogueFlow and AI-powered chatbots are also worth knowing about. Since it is not possible to cover the complete conference in one piece. You can watch the following video to learn more about other AI features from Google.
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domain: news


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Russia bans the imports of agricultural products from the countries, affiliated to the sanctions
Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, imposed the ban on imports of certain agricultural products, raw materials and food to the territory of the Russian Federation, from the countries, which decided to impose economic sanctions against Russian legal entities and (or) individuals, or acceded to the reporting decision. The presidential decree "On application of the certain special economic measures to ensure the security of the Russian Federation" signed on August 6, provides the above-mentioned import ban.
The document entrusts to the Government of Russia, to determine the list of agricultural products, raw materials and food covered by the above-mentioned limitations, with the possibility of its further adjustments.
The import limitations are valid for one-year period, and come into force from the date of signing of the decree.
You should be authorized to post comment
In 2014 Crimean agrarians took on lease 270 units of Russian agricultural machinery
As of November 1, Russia harvested 105.7 mln tonnes of grains – Rosstat
Russia: as of November 1, grain carry-over stocks totaled 42.9 mln tonnes – Rosstat
In January-October Russia decreased wheat flour production
November 19, 16:50
On November 19, Russia purchased 7.15 thsd tonnes of grains to the intervention fund
November 19, 13:20
Russia harvested 110 mln tonnes of grains
November 19, 11:10
Russia decreased grain shipment volumes from the seaports
November 19, 10:20


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Convenient and flexible, the UPS Access Point network – pick-up and delivery locations at local shops and retailers – keeps growing stronger, going from 4,000 locations in 2019 to 5,000 today. While the global e-commerce boom, boosted by the pandemic, contributed to this rise, other trends underpin the enthusiasm for alternative delivery solutions with consumers and small businesses alike.
For consumers, it’s a practical and reliable solution that allows them to pick up online purchases at nearby outlets with flexible retail opening hours. For store owners, they see business growth through increased footfall as Katell Lefeuvre, joint manager of Le Comptoir des Halles, a sustainable fresh produce and grocery store in Mordelles near Rennes, explains:
“As soon as we started our business, we wanted to join the UPS Access Point network because we knew that this concept could be a growth accelerator. Le Comptoir des Halles is located in a street with low footfall. The shoppers coming in because of the UPS Access Point have boosted our reputation and we have gained new, loyal customers. Open 6,5 days per week, we offer great flexibility, thus combining the benefits of online retail with those of local retail.”
The UPS Access Point network also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of last-mile delivery by reducing the amount of residential delivery stops and missed deliveries. Efficiencies like this support UPS’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.


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HACK CITY B*TCH
The FTC slapped consumer credit reporting company Equifax with a $700M fine for a data breach that leaked 147M American’s credit reports and personal info. Hackers were able to access Social Security numbers, date of birth, and credit card records during the 2017 sh*tstorm.
This fine is the largest handed down by the FTC, dwarfing the $128M penalty dealt to Uber for a data breach of its own. In addition, Equifax is also required to increase its overall data security procedures. Apparently, “Steve from IT never forgets to install a software update patch,” isn’t a fool-proof control system.
Equifax announced that $425M of the fine will be used to create a consumer restitution fund and allow users who were affected by the breach to collect up to $20k in cash. There’s just one catch: it’s nearly impossible to prove that an individual's data was compromised and used in a malicious way.
If consumers can show that they spent time and energy monitoring or fixing their credit, or suffered any out-of-pocket losses, they will be eligible for the $20k. Otherwise, they can get a $125 coupon (yes, a coupon) to have Equifax monitor their credit activity … which will all but ensure their data is available the next time Equifax gets hacked.
Luckily for Equifax none of the consumer data has shown up in a Lithuanian back alley a la the dark web.
Equifax Just Got Fined Up To $700 Million For That Massive 2017 Hack [Forbes]
IN OTHER NEWS
- Microsoft makes a $1B investment ... in a company founded by Elon Musk [Engadget]
- Looks like Apple is a hardware company after all [WSJ]
- Robinhood just raised more money, because it's 2019 and that's what fintechs do [Bloomberg]


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US: JCPenney shuts call centre as shoppers migrate online
US retailer JCPenney has confirmed that its call centre in Richmond will be closed at the cost of 250 jobs.
A JCPenney spokesperson told just-style in an emailed statement that the closure was due to a continuing decline in telephone call volumes as customers "continue to migrate to shopping online".
The Richmond centre employs 250 associates, mostly in part-time positions, and is now scheduled to close on 26 March.
Catalogue calls will continue to be handled by four other call centers around the US, JCPenney added.
One of the biggest challenges for brands and retailers of all sizes is how to source products and where to source them from. And one of the best ways to formulate a sourcing strategy is to tap into in...
US clothing retailer Liz Claiborne is to exit its 87 loss-making outlet stores in the US and Puerto Rico early next year. ...
Here is a roundup of the top five most-read stories on just-style this week. Click on each headline for the full story....
- 2014: Year in review - Sourcing winners and losers
- COMMENT: The decline of the buying office
- 2014: Year in review - Brand winners and losers
- 2014: Year in review - Retail winners and losers
- Bangladesh: Raising the bar on apparel exports?
- Report urges overhaul of Cambodia factory safety
- Bangladesh knitting worker killed by faulty lift
- Bangladesh factory improvements “will take years”
- North Face debuts locally-grown "backyard" hoodie
- Tommy Hilfiger launches solar-powered jacket


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Indian tech startups are becoming the new favorite of investors from China and Japan. They are expected to raise more than US$10 billion this year, more than double last year’s US$4.4 billion.
Indian tech startups have raised US$7.9 billion from 1,129 deals in 2015, over half of which are from C-round, according to data from Tracxn. The number of deals has fallen to 763 this year, and 71 percent of the deals are for D-round or later stage.
That shows the Indian market has become more mature, and investors are no longer chasing growth blindly.
Instead, they tend to concentrate on a smaller number of startups engaged in e-commerce, ride-hailing, travel booking platforms etc.
For instance, e-commerce startup Flipkart has raised US$4 billion this year, including US$1.4 billion from Microsoft and eBay in April and US$2.5 billion from SoftBank in August. The company now has a valuation of over US$11.6 billion, which makes it one of the world’s most valuable e-commerce companies.
In fact, China’s internet giants like Tencent and Alibaba are also very active in seeking out promising tech startups in India.
Tencent has put a heavy bet on Flipkart, while Alibaba holds a majority stake of Paytm. No only are they investors, they also bring to the table their own e-commerce experience in China.
Some noted that since India’s per capita GDP is just a quarter that of China, and there is a huge income gap between urban and rural population in India, the China experience cannot be replicated in India.
This article appeared in the Hong Kong Economic Journal on Nov. 1
Translation by Julie Zhu
[Chinese version 中文版]
– Contact us at [email protected]


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In recent years, several large, mature technology companies, such as Google, Uber, Spotify and Twitter, have been wooing the "next billion users" – people who go online with mobile devices for the first time. instead of desktops. Attracting this new audience requires the optimization of services and software optimized for the prevailing conditions in developing markets, such as: These include unreliable connectivity, slow Internet speeds, and the proliferation of mobile devices.
Companies began to develop a "Lite" version of their devices apps that can run on most cell phones and do not consume much storage space on the device (less than 1
Facebook is proud to have been one of the first to launch a lite app in 2015. When TNW met The team responsible for developing and improving the app told us how they managed to import almost all features from the main app while keeping their size below two megabytes.
At first, as the team The development of the first version of Facebook Lite was about providing users with device, network and data restrictions with a very simple version of Facebook. In terms of functionality, the app was limited, and the interface looked like a rudimentary mobile site.
Tzach Hadar, Head of Product Management for Facebook Lite, said the first version builds on the core experience of Facebook with the aim of preventing users from using the social network:
The basic requirement [of Facebook Lite] was not to leave anyone behind. We have a very good high-end app, but some people can not use it or not enough. So we came up with the idea of developing an app that works for everyone. We wanted the app to be small and definitely fast. So we booted all the features that were not needed.
The term "annual class scale" was defined by Facebook to compare the hardware specifications of a telephone with those of a high-end telephone of a particular year. According to his definition, a phone released this year may also have a 2017 year class if its specifications resemble a flagship device of that year.
Facebook said, a majority of users in developing countries use vintage phones 2013 or older. The Lite team wanted to respond to this audience.
Around 2017 the team changed its approach to the Lite app as it wanted to give users an "uncompromising experience" without reducing the size. This meant that users should get almost the same features as the main app. Over the years, features such as live video, reactions, stories, and the marketplace have been introduced.
Hadar mentions in terms of core features that the Lite app now comes much closer to the main app. However, if you're using a Lite app, you might not have some features, such as: B. Stickers in stories and datings.
In the same year, Jio, India's leading network provider, launched a smartphone called JioPhone on the KaiOS market. In 2018, Facebook delivered an app for this platform based on the architecture of the Lite app.
To keep the app as small as possible, Facebook built a very thin client – the app that resides on your device – and moved all business logic to its servers. This meant that the client had some basic UI elements on the phone and other content was not loaded until users opened the app.
Dekel Naar, chief engineer of the Facebook Lite team, said it was important to keep the app size small as it leads to more installations. The company found that all five bytes saved in the app managed to attract and retain a user.
Before Facebook Lite existed, the Facebook app was uninstalled on the phone for space reasons, even if it was desired to use it.
To reduce the app size and control it while the new features are added, engineers use a couple of bots internally developed with BuildBot and SizeBot. While Buildbot provides information about the size difference between different internal versions of the app, SizeBot notifies an encoder of how much size a feature adds when it is added to the app. This allows product managers to remove features that are not high on the list of priorities.
Naar's team often proactively attacks projects to manage the size of the app. The team built a special tool called Redex, which serves as an optimizer for Android files. Facebook used it with another open source optimization tool called ProGuard to reduce the size of the app by 40 percent and improve runtime performance by 25 percent. After the success of this project, it even used this tool with its other apps.
Facebook Lite also uses the Download on Demand approach to retrieve resources such as sounds and animations instead of adding them to the installation package.
Another project the Lite team took up was called the Lean Crash Report. The goal was to extract debugging information from the APK (Application Package) – the file that installed an app on Android phones. The team discovered that debugging reports accounted for nearly 15 percent of the APK size. And that's a lot of room when you create a Lite app.
Naar and his team removed the debugging code from the package and stored it on the company's servers. As a result, the company was able to reduce the size of the app by 11 percent.
Thanks to these improvements, the Facebook Lite app is almost 40 times smaller than the main app.
The Numbers, Reaches, and The Future
Although Facebook Lite is a cool product, it's hard to understand how many people use it. According to Facebook, more than 200 million people use the app every month in 2017. Since then a lot has changed.
App analytics company SensorTower announced to TNW that Facebook Lite was downloaded 1 billion times between 2015 and 2019 The app was downloaded 2.5 billion times over the same period . This year Lite was downloaded 255.1 million times, compared to 337.5 million downloads of the main app.
The analytics company also suggests that the app was downloaded most frequently by Indians, followed by Indonesia and Brazil. The challenge for the Lite team is to spread its user base in sub-Saharan Africa in addition to the aforementioned countries.
While the company has preloaded the main app on many phones in the past, there is currently no partnership to load the Lite app on all low to medium range phones on the market today . If any, the social networking mobile site will prompt you to invite visitors to download the Lite app.
Facebook Lite is perfect for many groups of users, including users of high-end phones. It's great to extend the battery life while traveling and limit yourself to the core functions of the social network without getting yourself down too much. Facebook is also testing an iOS version in limited markets.
These lite apps may have a smaller user base than the major versions. However, as more and more people from countries such as India and Brazil connect to the Internet for the first time, they prefer lite apps. Mainly because they are better than mobile websites or Progressive Web Apps (PWA) and many features of the main app are included in a smaller package.


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Multi-channel retailer High Street TV has announced a new partnership with distributor EPE International. Under the agreement, EPE will manage High Street TV’s product-line up into stores across the UK.
West Yorkshire-based EPE specialises in the cook shop and electrical retail market and the partnership will see the company distribute High Street TV products including the NutriBullet range and the Pressure King Pro.
High Street TV retail director Edward Chary (pictured) commented: “We are very excited about our new partnership with EPE International, the UK’s leading SDA and cookware distributor. We believe that EPE will provide the best route to the electrical independent market for our bestselling TV backed products and will continue to carry the High Street TV brand with a premium service to our customers.”
EPE International managing director Noel Pamment added: “The key to demonstrating SDAs in-store is to create ‘theatre’. Buy a fresh chicken, for example, and in a safe area of the store, use the Pressure King Pro to steam it in super quick time. Equally, our customers could buy some fruit and vegetables and, in a safe area of the store, use the NutriBullet to make NutriBlasts for their customers.”


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Nokia‘s much-anticipated smartphone, the Nokia 9, passed through AnTuTu early last month, and the AnTuTu listing had revealed key specifications of the device. Now, we’re getting a look at nearly the complete spec sheet of the Nokia 9 thanks to the appearance of all of the handset’s variants -TA-1004, TA-1012 and TA-1052 – on the GFXBench benchmark database.
Going by the GFXBench listing, the Nokia 9 should sport a 5.3-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, which is supported by the FCC certification that the device received last month. The phone will be equipped with the Snapdragon 835 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage (and a microSD slot), specs that were also listed by AnTuTu. Android 7.1 Nougat will power the handset out of the box, and the front and rear cameras will both be 13-megapixel sensors (GFXBench, as usual, is listing slightly lower camera resolution). Word on the street is that the rear camera could have two sensors (which would be unsurprising as even the Nokia 8 is set to feature dual cameras), and as befits a flagship phone, both cameras would be able to record 4K videos.
The Nokia 9 has received all key certifications in the last month or so, including certification from the Bluetooth SIG, and pricing for the device is rumored to start at Euro 749 in Europe and $699 in the US (roughly ₹44,885). However, it is believed the Nokia TA-1004 and TA-1012 could be variants of the Nokia 8, especially since these specs match those expected to be offered by the Nokia 8. Nothing is certain at this point, however. Nokia has scheduled an event on August 16 for unveiling the Nokia 8, and it is possible we will get more information on the Nokia 9 at the time.
Nokia 9 Rumored Specifications:
- Display: 5.3-inch, 2560 x 1440 pixels, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Software: Android 7.1 Nougat
- Processor: Octa-core Snapdragon 835 chipset
- Memory: 4GB/6GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB (expandable via microSD card)
- Cameras: 13MP rear (possibly dual cameras), 13MP front
- Connectivity: Dual SIM 4G VoLTE support, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.1, USB Type-C, GPS, 3.5mm audio port
- Battery: 3800mAh
The post All Nokia 9 variants pass through GFXBench, specs revealed appeared first on Android News.


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Last Updated on 9th September 2010
If you like your boats like you like your fashion – that is, exclusive, elegant and expensive – you might just be in luck. Gucci has teamed up with luxury Italian boat company Riva to create an exclusive made to order yacht, called Aquariva by Gucci, to celebrate the house’s 90th birthday next year.
Recreating the high glamour that defines the luxurious lives of Italian jet-setters, the yacht was unveiled yesterday at the International Cannes Boat Show, boasting traditional Riva craftsmanship tweaked with classic Gucci touches: the fibreglass hull is painted in Gucci’s signature glossy white combined with Riva’s iconic mahogany and features the Guccissima print on the sun deck, for starters.
“Over the decades the iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance,” says Gucci creative director Frida Giannini. “It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita – a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attractedan enthusiastic following among the international jet set. It is therefore especially meaningful in Gucci’s 90th anniversary year to be able to recognise and celebrate the great traditions and values of both Gucci and Riva through the Aquariva by Gucci.”
But if you missed the grand unveiling yesterday, worry not – there’ll be a special presentation to welcome Aquariva by Gucci on September 22nd, the opening day of Milan Fashion Week, when it will then set sail across the world’s oceans to visit some of the sea’s most prestigious boat shows throughout 2011. And, like you need telling, there’s a series of exclusive Riva by Gucci accessories to accompany it.


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Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of K12 Inc (NYSE:LRN) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday, July 20th.
According to Zacks, “K12 Inc., a technology-based education company, is a leading national provider of proprietary curriculum and educational services created for online delivery to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, or K-12. Its mission is to maximize a child’s potential by providing access to an engaging and effective education, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic background. “
Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on LRN. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a buy rating and set a $22.00 price objective on shares of K12 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. TheStreet raised shares of K12 from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.75.
Shares of K12 (NYSE LRN) opened at 16.82 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $17.94 and a 200-day moving average of $18.66. K12 has a one year low of $10.17 and a one year high of $21.18. The firm has a market cap of $643.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 111.39 and a beta of -0.20.
TRADEMARK VIOLATION NOTICE: This piece of content was published by Sports Perspectives and is owned by of Sports Perspectives. If you are viewing this piece of content on another site, it was stolen and republished in violation of U.S. and international copyright legislation. The legal version of this piece of content can be viewed at https://sportsperspectives.com/2017/08/10/k12-inc-nyselrn-stock-rating-lowered-by-zacks-investment-research-updated-updated.html.
In other K12 news, EVP Allison Cleveland sold 5,600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.66, for a total transaction of $104,496.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 99,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,864,432.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO James Jeaho Rhyu sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.79, for a total transaction of $93,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 280,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,272,924.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 45,600 shares of company stock valued at $833,746 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 18.34% of the company’s stock.
Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in K12 by 12.2% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,769,245 shares of the company’s stock valued at $53,030,000 after buying an additional 300,885 shares in the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in K12 during the first quarter valued at about $4,129,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in K12 by 514.1% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 233,014 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,462,000 after buying an additional 195,070 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in K12 by 6.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,737,545 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,423,000 after buying an additional 175,099 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of K12 by 34.5% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 653,096 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,507,000 after buying an additional 167,442 shares during the period. 79.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
K12 Inc (K12) is a technology-based education company. The Company offers curriculum, software systems and educational services designed to facilitate individualized learning for students in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12). It provides a continuum of technology-based educational products and solutions to public school districts, public schools, virtual charter schools, private schools and families.
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Covid-19 infections continued to soar far above previous peaks across the U.S., as students returned to classrooms while some workers remained home after contracting or being exposed to the virus.
The seven-day average of daily reported Covid-19 cases in the U.S. reached a pandemic record 403,385 on Sunday, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. The fresh peak arrived even as most states paused reporting during the New Year’s holiday weekend. Reporting delays will likely lead to spikes in reports of cases this week as states catch up. While Covid-19 tests remain in short supply in much of the U.S., Covid-19 testing was less robust last year, complicating comparisons between pandemic surges.
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Amid allegations of padded sales figures, Krispy Kreme on Tuesday restated its earnings for fiscal 2004, sending its shares tumbling more than 17 percent and threatening the once-trendy doughnut maker with a cash and credit crunch.
In a statement, Krispy Kreme said its revised earnings reports place it in potential default of a $150-million credit line. While the company is negotiating with lenders to avoid being forced to immediately repay almost $91-million in outstanding loans, it warned "there can be no assurance that the lenders will accede."
The company is unable to borrow more money, and has guaranteed $52.3-million in franchisee debt. Because some franchisees are not in compliance with their credit agreements, Krispy Kreme estimates it is on the hook for $16.7-million that could be subject to a demand for repayment.
Krispy Kreme said it is reviewing its accounting practices and expects to make further revisions to past earnings reports.
The company said the bulk of the earnings changes reported Tuesday result from recording payments to former franchise owners in Michigan and northern California as compensation, rather than as a purchase price in buying back their franchises.
Kripsy Kreme, which is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, reported in October that it had formed a special committee of independent directors to look into whether earnings should be restated.
Morningstar analyst Carl Sibilski, who follows the company, said he views the warning of possible credit problems as more a worst-case scenario than a looming prospect.
"It's a bad negotiating position to be in, but I don't think it's something that will cripple them," Sibilski said. "It probably means their creditors will negotiate with tougher terms."
The restated earnings came a day after new allegations surfaced in shareholder lawsuits that claim Krispy Kreme executives tried for more than a year to hide evidence of declining doughnut sales. Two unidentified "confidential witnesses" who are former employees of the company alleged that Krispy Kreme routinely padded sales by doubling the number of doughnuts delivered to wholesale customers at the end of fiscal quarters. Unsold doughnuts were shipped back after the quarters ended.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Scott Livengood, the chief executive officer.
The company said its board of directors concluded Dec. 28 that statements for the fiscal year that ended Feb. 1 should be revised, as well as reports covering the past three quarters of that fiscal year.
The restatements are expected to reduce the company's profit for 2004 _ originally reported as $56.8-million _ by between $3.8-million and $4.9-million. Earnings per share for fiscal 2004 would drop by 7 or 8 cents from their originally reported 66 cents.
Shares of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. fell $1.83, or 14.9 percent, to $10.48 in trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange, then fell 28 cents to $10.20 in after-hours trading. Its shares traded near $40 last March.
The consolidated group of shareholder lawsuits claim Krispy Kreme executives knew sales were slowing by at least January 2003 but issued "false and misleading statements" until May, when the company reported its first quarterly loss.
The lawsuits also claim that three top officers _ Livengood, former chief operating officer John Tate and former chief financial officer Randy Casstevens _ unloaded more than 475,000 shares of Krispy Kreme stock during this same time for $19.8-million.
Krispy Kreme's initial quarterly loss, which was followed by the revelation that it was under investigation by the SEC, sent its stock into a tailspin; it dropped 66 percent in 2004.
Krispy Kreme has blamed its problems in part on the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets. But critics have argued that the company expanded too quickly and saturated its market by making its product available in grocery stores and convenience stores.
Sibilski, the Morningstar analyst, said his firm is not rating Krispy Kreme's stock until questions about the company's financial statements are resolved.
With the SEC investigation still pending, "I think there's probably more to come" in terms of bad news for the company, he said.
"The brand still has value, so we don't think the stock is going to go to zero," Sibilski said. "We're just not sure what the real value of the company is."
Krispy Kreme will restate earnings for the past three quarters of fiscal 2004 in the wake of allegations the company padded shipments to hide declining sales over the past two years. Analysts say the news will hurt the troubled doughnut maker, but not cripple it.


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In order to cut transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions, Suzuki Motor is constructing rail terminals inside of two of its assembly factories in India.
Toshihiro Suzuki, president and chairman of the Japanese manufacturer, told in an interview that increasing rail transport was an efficient strategy. Suzuki’s Gujarat plant may start making deliveries by train in the next fiscal year, while the Manesar plant could follow as soon as fiscal 2024.
Trucks travel 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres across India as they deliver vehicles to major cities. Fuel costs and tolls have increased for these lengthy trips. India lacks enough highways to accommodate such trucks, and some roads are poorly paved.
Suzuki’s continual change from road to rail freight also helps the company expand its carbon neutrality effort throughout the supply chain.
India accounted for around 60per cent of Suzuki’s production of four-wheeled vehicles and about 50per cent of unit sales in that category during the year ended in March. This equals 1.65 million manufactured and 1.36 million sales vehicles.
The country is Suzuki’s “top earner,” the president said. India generated 33per cent of global revenue, or 1.17 trillion yen ($8.2 billion at current exchange rates), from two-wheelers and motorcycles in fiscal 2021.
In the fiscal year beginning in 2014, Suzuki began transporting finished vehicles using train tracks. By the fiscal year 2021, 1.1 million vehicles had been moved. In the year ended March 2022, the figure grew 20per cent to 230,000 automobiles, representing 15per cent of all finished vehicles carried that year.
“We aim for 30per cent,” President Suzuki said, indicating that the ratio will double in five years.
The Gujarat plant in western India can produce 750,000 vehicles a year. The facility already transports some vehicles by rail, but that involves ferrying the autos by road to a nearby train station — an inefficient process.
A train track is located close to the factory. Suzuki will convert just over 20 km of that line into wide-gauge tracks designed for freight transport. The company will install almost 3 km of new rail that connects to the assembly plant loading terminal.
Indian investments in rail infrastructure have stalled behind those in road building. Trains have occupied a smaller proportion of freight transport in recent years than during the 1990s, while small trucks make up the major share of cargo shipments. These variables have contributed boost transit prices.
Following consultation with several parties, including the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, the state-run Indian Railways upgraded train carriages intended to transport cars. The share of passenger vehicles transported by rail climbed to 16per cent in fiscal 2021 from 1.5per cent in fiscal 2013, the Ministry of Railways announced.
Indian automakers such as Tata Motors have begun to utilise railways. However, Suzuki — India’s largest car maker, with a market share of more than 40per cent in passenger vehicles — wields considerable influence on the shift toward rail deliveries.
In India, Indian Railways is responsible for operating the engine car and maintaining the rails, while freight carriages and loading terminals are handled by transport companies. Foreign companies, such as Japan’s Konoike Transport, are also entering this market. The construction of specialised freight rail lines is now underway.


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Google is apparently holding several concurrent events around the world for its latest “Made by Google” hardware announcements, and the latest event is set for London, United Kingdom according to an email sent to UK press this morning.
The email confirms the very same October 9th date that has pertained to the other two “I <3” events that have been announced so far: “Join us on Tuesday 9th October to be among the first to hear about all the cool things Google is launching this year!”
As you likely know by now, the “I <3” tagline is referring to the Google Pixel 3, which is expanding to more locales this year. We expect to see the flagship smartphone from Google launch in Japan, several new mainland Europe countries, and elsewhere for the first time. This notably is not the Pixel’s first launch in the UK, however.
Unlike the last two event announcements, the teaser image for the London event that we received is particularly low-res. I’d expect we’ll see some kind of UK-specific teaser page go live soon, though, so stay tuned for that.
The event is kicking off at 11 AM EST, or 4 PM GMT+1, which we know is the same time that the event in both New York and Paris are starting as well. Expect to see the announcement of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, the Google Home Hub, a second-generation Pixel Buds, a new tablet, a potential second-generation Pixelbook, and more.
Google started out with the announcement of its usual US-based Made by Google event early this month (this time in New York City, not San Francisco!), then followed that up with another event happening in Paris. Then a teaser page suggested that Google might also have an event in Japan — although we haven’t confirmed that one yet.
The leaks of the star-of-the-show Google Pixel 3 have been.. erm.. exorbitant this year, so there’s not many mysteries about what those phones will bring. Just yesterday in fact, full official marketing images of both the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL in black and white leaked out. This morning, the wallpapers that are shipping on both phones also leaked.
More on Google Pixel 3/XL:
- Gorgeous full-res Google Pixel 3 wallpapers leak, download them here [Gallery]
- Official-looking Google Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL marketing images leak in black and white
- Google announces October 9th ‘Made by Google’ event in New York City
- Everything we know about the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL so far
- Things we still don’t know about the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: Price, colors, face security, more
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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H&M has officially opened the first store for Afound, its brand new discount fashion brand and ninth overall. The first Afound store is in Stockholm, with a second set to open in Malmö soon. Sales via Afound’s online Swedish marketplace have launched in parallel with the opening of the stores
There’s a lot of (arguably hyperbolic) language popping up in the news lately about the physical retail industry. And on paper, it reads like a news report from a doomsday film
The popular locations are filled with colorful, sensory-driven installations that encourage customers to interact with both the physical space and the staff.
Indochino, the digitally-native made-to-measure menswear brand, continues to expand in the physical space.
Retail experts have called on the government to reform current business rates rules as new research reveals 44 shops vanish a week from the high street. New figures from ratings agency Altus Group have revealed the staggering rate of shop closures. Since the last rates revaluation seven years ago 15,856 shops have been demolished or converted into homes across England and Wales.
With the biggest shopping week of the year ahead and facing disruption from e-commerce, retailers have to bring the physical and digital world together, said Westfield Corporation CIO Denise Taylor.
Retailers continue to evaluate their physical footprints in the context of growing online sales in order to find the right balance between the two.
Frontline employees could be the key to saving the physical store model — provided they are armed with the right technology, according to RSR Research.
Another struggling retailer looks to a new platform to better connect the physical and digital.
Marianne Wilson Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space: read more


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Rumors of the Mission Road Antique Mall’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The sale of the Mission Valley Middle School property coupled with the extensive renovations to the Corinth Square shopping center have apparently sparked chatter that the long-running business is in danger of being relocated.
Owner Casey Ward said she hears the inquiries from customers and vendors almost every day.
“People come in and say, ‘We can’t believe the mall is closing,'” she said. “I have to tell them, we’re not going anywhere. Our lease runs through the end of 2014.”
LANE4 Property Group, which owns the Antique Mall property, confirms that there are no plans in the offing at present to relocate the business or renovate the building, parts of which are among the oldest in Prairie Village. The facility was once part of the horse barn on the former Woolford Farm, where Kentucky Derby winner Lawrin was reared.
“The Mission Road Antique Mall is a landmark to the area,” said LANE4’s Trip Ross. “We have a lot of change going on at Corinth right now, but the Antique Mall is an intuition in this community and a valued tenant to the center”


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The Vietnamese Goods Week will last until November 26 at over 140 supermarkets of NTUC FairPrice Group, aiming at intensifying direct export of Vietnamese goods to the distribution system of multinational corporations.
Lot of products showcased under the event are the result of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s assistance activities to startups with strategies to develop in foreign markets. They comprises three specific fruits of Vietnam including sapodilla, pomelo and red fresh dragon fruit.
To prepare for the event, Vietnamese businesses have taken over 600 commodities into Singaporean supermarkets.
NTUC FairPrice’s retail system has shelved over 20 new Vietnamese products such as shrimp, fish, milk, rice paper, pho and vermicelli.
Besides showcasing Vietnamese products, the Vietnamese Goods Week will organize trade promotion activities between Vietnamese and Singaporean firms and Vietnamese cuisine performance.


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BBM for Android has been installed millions of times since its (bumpy) launch, but that’s not enough for the folks in Waterloo. Today BlackBerry has confirmed what many already suspected: it’s planning to launch a version of BBM for phones still running Android 2.3 in February. Those first versions only ran on Ice Cream Sandwich or later, and BlackBerry has been not-so-quietly scouting for Gingerbread beta testers for at least two weeks. It’s not hard to see why the company wants to branch out further, especially since it’s dealing with pressure from buzzy messaging apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp. And while it might feel ancient, Gingerbread still powers over a fifth of active Android devices. Lots of those phones are sold at cut-rate prices across the globe, so BlackBerry has a shot at maintaining its messaging mojo in developing markets… though pumping out […]
BlackBerry today pushed out a software update that turns its phones into an FM radio.
Blackberry 10.2.1 include hundreds of enhancements and refinements “that will make the things you do every day faster and easier,” the company said, but most notably, owners of the BlackBerry Z30, Q10, or Q5 smartphones can unlock the built-in FM radio feature and listen to their favorite local stations without a network connection.
The update also includes BlackBerry Hub custom pinch gestures, SMS and email groups, actionable lock screen notifications, offline browser reading mode, a device and battery monitor, and automatic software updates, among other features.
A full list of OS updates is available online. BB10 OS version 10.2.1 is rolling out in the U.S., Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, and will be available for the entire lineup of BB10 smartphones.
BlackBerry 10 was intended to […]


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The road-going version hasn’t seen the light of day yet, but BMW is already preparing a racing version of its M8 coupe.
Christened the M8 GTE, this race car completed its first round of testing at the Lausitzring in Germany in July, and was unveiled to the public this week at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The “GTE” designation corresponds to the top class for production-based cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship. This series includes the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the main reason for developing the M8 GTE.
BMW will return to Le Mans in 2018, ending a seven-year absence. It hopes to win the GTE class title with the M8 GTE, but it will have to beat the likes of the Ford GT, Chevrolet Corvette, Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari 488 to make that happen. Since we don’t know much about the M8 road car, it’s hard to say how the M8 race car will stack up against that formidable competition.
In addition to the globetrotting World Endurance Championship, BMW will bring the M8 GTE to the United States for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The M8 GTE will likely replace the M6 GT3 BMW currently races in that series, which makes sense, since BMW doesn’t sell the M6’s road-going counterpart in the U.S. anymore.
The M8 GTE is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 that will make at least 500 horsepower in race trim, backed by a six-speed sequential racing gearbox. The powertrain will likely change for the road-going version. The racing version is also much lighter than its road-going counterpart, thanks in part to extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
Some serious tech went into developing and building the M8 GTE. Engineers used an artificial intelligence program to tune the traction control, and 3D printed some parts, according to BMW. For assembly, the automaker employed a 3D measuring system to ensure accuracy. The system was especially helpful on the M8 GTE, since the car is built by hand rather than on an assembly line, BMW noted.
BMW isn’t ready to unveil the M8 road car yet, but between the M8 GTE race car and the 8 Series concept the automaker unveiled at the 2017 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance, we have a pretty good idea of what it will look like. The 8 Series nameplate was first used in 1989 on a sporty coupe that became an icon of its period, creating big tire tracks for the new 8 Series to fill. BMW will offer lower-level 8 Series models alongside the M8, which will be the flagship of the lineup.
BMW’s other notable racing plans take the company in the opposite direction of the brawny M8 GTE. When the M8 makes its assault on Le Mans in 2018, BMW will also step up its involvement in the Formula E electric racing series. BMW will participate as a manufacturer for the first time, supplying powertrains to Andretti Autosport. If nothing else, these high-profile racing programs will generate plenty of headlines for BMW next year.
- After years of Le Mans misfortune, Toyota becomes impossible to beat
- With up to 617 hp on tap, the 2020 M8 is BMW’s new performance flagship
- The upcoming BMW M8 is dripping with new performance-focused tech


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India's second tryst with destiny starts from the midnight of June 30th when Asia's third largest economy rolls out her most ambitious tax reform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have collectively staked the reputation of the world's fastest growing major economy as a haven for reform when they unveil the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from Saturday, July 1st.
What prompts this economy measured at $2.4 trillion and growing at 7 per cent a year to revamp its British-era tax structure? Why would 1.25 billion people suddenly decide they need a new tax code? Why would 28 different state governments, some of them diametrically opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, agree to be a part of a symphony that plays a common tune?
Some of these questions are complex and may take many months to answer but the road map for this pioneering tax rejig points to forging an economic union, a single national tax market, common tax laws and a common tax base for the country.
A population exceeding the combined citizenry of the United States, the European Union, Japan, Russia and Brazil will ring in the new tax structure from the Central Hall of Parliament on the stroke of midnight on June 30th.
There is no other comparable project this size anywhere in the world. A population exceeding the combined citizenry of the United States, the European Union, Japan, Russia and Brazil will ring in the new tax structure from the Central Hall of Parliament on the stroke of midnight on June 30th.
As the world sleeps, India will walk into to a new dawn. This event will be addressed by Prime Minister Modi and overseen by President Pranab Mukherjee, who steered the GST Bill as the finance minister during the previous UPA government.
India is young. Her 70-odd years as an independent nation has seen a potentially great economy being held back by a multitude of taxes and dozens of hierarchies, often pulling in different directions. But it has taken this economy, liberalised in 1991, a little over a quarter of a century to become the world's 3rd largest on purchasing power parity. Today's industrialist counts global companies as his rivals apart from homegrown peers. And there is a new breed of Indian entrepreneurs raring to take on the world on their terms. They need enabling tax laws that help take on global corporations on their turf.
Hopefully, the GST, even with all its so-called ills, will deliver a world class regime that will catalyse fresh growth in India against a slowing global economic order.
Collection and payment of taxes will be at a single point, therefore, easier.
To begin with, this fully online indirect tax replaces 12 central and state level taxes. This single, common tax will help the economic supply chain breathe easy. This chain will be fattened up and yet be flexible as taxes paid on input costs and raw materials will be claimed back. This will lead to lower costs and, consequently, better prices for the end consumer. Goods will move faster now as trucks will not be stopped at any entry points of states. Collection and payment of taxes will be at a single point, therefore, easier. Large, if not all, parts of the informal economy will move into the formal order. And finally, India's tax regime will be comparable to those in advanced economies.
Sure, there are quibbles. But there always have been naysayers who want to remain outside the ambit of the formal tax structure.
"There are too many returns to file and everything is computerised!", some moan.
`We are not ready,' say lakhs of traders, small businessmen, companies and even large corporations. `Delay it by another quarter,' they shout from industry pulpits. "There are too many returns to file and everything is computerised!", some moan. The last ones are particularly hilarious because you would think honest tax payers would welcome online payment of tax minus the hassles!
There will be nitpickers who will find fault at everything that any government does to improve the overall life of citizens. We must ignore such voices that clamour for the old order to continue. The next two quarters will be defining moments of India's upward trajectory as a world economic power. Sure, growth may slowdown further. Companies might take a while longer to adjust to online filing of returns. Lofty stock prices may take a small tumble. And the economy may wobble just a bit more. These things happen in the life of a young nation.
Use this opportunity to ride on to the finest economy the world has at this moment. You should be buying any dips in the market. This gravy train will get thicker and fatter as time passes.
No one has won betting against the Indian economy in the longer run. No one.


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Conde Nast decided a summer Friday afternoon would be the perfect time to announce a new president at the company. Bob Sauerberg is becoming the president of Conde Nast, and will be responsible for moving "the company to a new business model focused around digital connectivity, technology development, and consumer insight," according to a press release.
REAL LIFE. REAL NEWS. REAL VOICES.
Help us tell more of the stories that matter from voices that too often remain unheard.


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MILAN : September 2, 2010 - Ferrari said it is recalling more than 1,240 of its 458 Italia supercars to replace an adhesive prone to melting after five reports of fire accidents.
Ferrari launched an investigation last month after media reports of fire accidents involving five vehicles in California, Paris, Switzerland, China and one other unnamed location.
A company spokesman said the problem was related to an adhesive used in the wheel-arch assemblies that in certain circumstances due to overheating can melt and eventually ignite.
As a result, Ferrari, owned by Italy's carmaker Fiat (FIA.MI), will be asking the owners of 1,248 cars produced before July 2010 to bring them in to have the glue replaced with mechanical fasteners, the spokesman said.
Those owners who had their cars damaged by fire will receive a new model, the spokesman said.
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Because no one would actually name their son “GACKT,” right?
Cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin) has become a sweeping phenomenon in the global business world. In summary, it’s a “peer-to-peer network that prevents double spending” with an electronic cash system. It’s not currency in a physical form, but it has real value that is becoming more and more accepted among businesses worldwide. The ledgers that manage and secure these forms of digital currency are called “blockchains.”
That’s where GACKT and his partner Masamitsu Hirai step in. They’ve started a cryptocurrency investment project called SPINDLE in response to the swiftly growing cryptocurrency industry. In his blog entry, GACKT says he believes that paper bills will no longer be in use 10 years from now. He also believes that cryptocurrency will create a truly global market, since it eliminates differences in currency between countries.
GACKT’s role in SPINDLE is the project’s official “Asia Strategic Advisor.” In order to take full responsibility for his business actions, he explained in his blog entry, he decided to reveal his true name for this project: Gakuto Oshiro (大城 ガクト). All the rumors of his supposed names have finally been put to rest.
While GACKT fans may have noticed the artist’s involvement in business for a while now, they may have been surprised to see his real name revealed. It seems like his musical activities may slow down for a while, but you may just be seeing his name in the news for a different reason from now on (and, no, we’re not talking tabloids this time).


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Tesla hires former Reliance top exec Chithra Thomas as its HR head for India
Elon Musk’s Teslais setting up its India operations fast and is also assembling its leadership team.
- Thomas joins Tesla after spending over six years at
RelianceRetail, where she was vice president and head of HR for the company’s e-commerce initiative Ajio.com.
- Tesla, which is setting up its office in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has also reportedly shortlisted Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru for its first showroom in the country.
AdvertisementElon Musk’s Tesla is setting up its India operations fast and is also assembling its leadership team. The US-headquartered electric vehicle (EV) giant has hired
Thomas joins Tesla after spending over six years at Reliance Retail, where she was vice president and head of HR for the company’s e-commerce initiative Ajio.com.
In her LinkedIn profile, Thomas writes that she was the first employee in a leadership role to set up the e-commerce and technology business of Reliance Retail. “Lead a 90-member team in the organizational design, total rewards, talent acquisition, learning and development and delivery of core HR operations, systems and capabilities for 25,000 employees across 29 states in India,” she wrote.
Prior to joining Reliance Retail, Thomas worked with Walmart India for over five years and HP for over six years.
A graduate of Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai, Thomas is now one of the senior leaders for Tesla in India.
Tesla has earlier reportedly appointed Manuj Khurana as Policy and Business Development head for India operations. Khurana is an alumni of IIM Bangalore. The EV giant had also reportedly appointed its chief accounting officer Vaibhav Taneja to its board of directors in India.
Tesla, which is setting up its office in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has also reportedly shortlisted Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru for its first showroom in the country.
Elon Musk's Tesla reportedly shortlists New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to open its first showrooms in India
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Milan Fashion Week was in full swing over the weekend and today, with fashionable ladies and their men stepping out for shows. Brian Austin Green sat front row with Megan Fox at Emporio Armani on Saturday, just a day ahead of his Desperate Housewives debut. Rachel Bilson honored designer Matthew Williamson at a party in his honor on Sunday and then joined Taylor Swift and Heidi Klum at the Robert Cavalli show this morning, where they were decked out in his designs. George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis, meanwhile, broke from their Sardinian getaway to show some affection on their way into Giorgio Armani, where the brand's model Megan was back out with Brian. There's even more to come from Italy, so stay tuned for more coverage on Fab, Bella, and Fashionologie!
To see more from Milan Fashion Week, just read more.


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Ever wonder what it costs to invent, design and produce your own unique head unit. Ask Vehroot.
A startup led by several engineer/enthusiasts, Vehroot is looking to bring to market a deck that includes a shelf for your phone or tablet. It adds Bluetooth HD for better-than-CD-quality audio (for phones that support it) and wireless charging. Appropriately called the Shelf, it allows your phone to become the screen and brains of the head unit.
Afterall, what people want is to get in their car and place their phone somewhere it can become their infotainment hub, said Shaun Trites, head of marketing & product development at Vehroot, “Everyone wants to use their phones for the audio. Nobody uses CDs,” he added, claiming, that people “get it right away” when they put their own phone on the Shelf and see it start charging.
Vehroot has some prototype products, which were shown in a demo vehicle at KnowledgeFest in Indianapolis last month. But it’s now in talks with private investors to help bring its idea to consumers.
“We need a minimum of $50,000 to get everyone in motion and $500,000 to do a run of about 1,000 units,” said Trites. $180K has already been invested in the company.
He claims the Shelf was very well received by dealers at KnowledgeFest, which the company attended mainly seeking confirmation its product would meet with demand.
The main suggestion from dealers was that Vehroot add backup camera capability and an app for more in-depth adjustments.
Trites has been working on Vehroot, as a side business to his career in Information Technology for two years. He has three engineer partners including an industrial designer. One of his partners is part of the team that patented the self-darkening rear view mirror.
The company has won patents for the L shape design of the Shelf and for placing a wireless charger next to a Bluetooth module while overcoming interference between the two.
The Shelf includes grips that keep the phone or tablet in place plus fast wireless charging. Users can stream music over Bluetooth or Bluetooth HD to the car’s sound system and control the device through the factory steering wheel controls. It has RCA outputs for adding an amplifier and subwoofers and it comes with built in 50 watt by 4 power. Plus it is software-updatable.
The front buttons on the Shelf are capacitive touch buttons, including a button for activating Siri or Google voice control.
For more information visit www.vehroot.com


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CryptoKitties launches KittyVerse ecosystem with 30 third-party projects | Tech News
CryptoKitties is formally launching the KittyVerse ecosystem, which allows third-party companies to launch their own products on top of the CryptoKitties collectible game.
CryptoKitties is not a cryptocurrency itself, but it is built to encourage people to learn how to use the alternative currencies such as Ethereum as well as blockchain, the decentralized and transparent ledger system. It became a sensation after it debuted in November, but the activity has slowed as the craze over cryptocurrency has subsided.
The company was founded in late 2017. In March, the CryptoKitties maker, Axiom Zen game studio, spun out as a separate company and raised $12 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz and Union Square Ventures.
With the new KittyVerse platform, players’ cats can now race, battle, and own cryptocollectibles of their own. CryptoKitties is also revealing the first participants in its Purrfurred Pawtner Program, with up to $1 million being invested in third-party development.
To date, more than $25 million has been transacted via CryptoKitties, with more than 1.5 million wallet addresses and 250,000 registered players. More than 800,000 cats have been created, and 75,000 cats have been sold. The price for a single CryptoKitty ranges from $6 to six figures.


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Coffee House Sessions Launches Alternative University Touring Circuit
Coffee House Sessions is a new touring circuit launching this month in the UK. Created by Coalition Talent's Guy Robinson, Coffee House Sessions supports a 10 day mini-tour for each artist with two acoustic shows a day. 40 UK universities are being booked. Apparently this idea is, in part, a response to dwindling student union shows due to decreased drink purchases but it's a great concept regardless.
Doing shows at college coffee houses and similar establishments certainly isn't a new idea. But creating an ongoing series like Coffee House Sessions takes what may seem mundane or only for beginners and turns it into a special event that becomes a promotional opportunity for the artists involved.
Introducing Coffee House Sessions
Coalition Talent agency head Guy Robinson announced Coffee House Sessions as early as July and tied it to shifts in college student drinking habits that led to a "waning of the UK student union touring circuit":
"The initiative is aiming to make up for the loss of an evening drinking culture in student unions, which has been hit hard as cash-strapped youngsters ‘pre-load’ with cheap booze at home before heading out for a night on the town."
Robinson says his response to the lessening number of opportunities on college campuses was sparked by a random conversation:
“There's less money being spent in bars so Universities simply cannot afford to support new music. But I had a fascinating conversation with one of the entertainment managers 12 months ago who said: ‘I’ve got this weird anomaly on campus, I cannot sell vodka for £1, but I can sell Starbucks coffee for £3.60 a cup, yet you charge them 20p for a mixer, and they don’t like it. So that's when my brain started ticking and Coffee House Sessions was born.”
Coffee House Sessions officially launched this week featuring a line-up "curated by BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens" and supported by "promotion through student newspapers, radio and TV at each university."
For artists and dates, see Upcoming Sessions.
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Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch/@crowdfundingm) also blogs at Flux Research and Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.


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El Salvador became the first country in the world to officially consider Bitcoin as a legal tender on Wednesday after Congress approved President Nayib Bukele’s proposal to adopt the cryptocurrency.
Congress approved the Bitcoin Law which was proposed last week with 62 out of 84 possible votes on Tuesday night.
“It will bring financial inclusion, investment, tourism, innovation, and economic development for our country,” tweeted President Bukele shortly before the vote.
El Salvador’s economy relies heavily on remittances from Salvadoreans working outside the country and sending money back home, making up around 20% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The law was approved with the support of Bukele’s allies despite the refusal of the minority opposition parties to back it.
“This is a law that will put El Salvador on the world’s radar, we will be more attractive for foreign investment,” said Romeo Auerbach, deputy of the Grand Alliance for National Unity party, Bukele’s ally.
The new law requires businesses to accept Bitcoin as legal tender for goods or services unless the business doesn’t have the technology needed to perform the transaction.


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Cross-media production company Rhapsody has appointed a permanent interactive project consultant to its digital team following a pilot placement earlier this year.
Emma Jones originally joined the team in February in a "test" role developed as part of a programme aimed at boosting the firm’s interactive digital content output for magazines and adverts on mobile devices using HTML 5.
Jones’ work will focus on providing solutions for Rhapsody's clients, mainly magazine publishers and some book publishers, that will allow their product to be viewed on any mobile devices without the need for an app.
Rhapsody’s new media director Greg Feltham said: "We’re working on some exciting projects for our clients across a spectrum of digital tablets. Emma’s skills in animation will bring even more creative opportunities to basic print replicas.
"With Emma in place we can offer a bespoke service for each of our customers to deploy their product to mobile devices like iPads or Flash E-zines."
Feltham said the firm would continue to expand and focus on using HTML 5 technology to deploy its customers publications to any mobile device without the need for an app, which he said would enable clients to push their content to as "broad an audience as possible".
Rhapsody was formed in November 2011 following the merger of Wyndeham Pre-Press and sister company Masterpiece.
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Samsung has confirmed the appointment of FCB as its new creative partner.
FCB won the account in April following a six-way pitch over a three-month time frame. Samsung initiated the pitch process with a view of consolidating a range of their marketing services into one agency and ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their communications.
Their ultimate aim was to find a strategic and creative partner who could help them build greater brand affinity with New Zealanders.
The agency, who began working with the electronics company in May, are providing key services such as creative advertising, production, social media and experiential across all of Samsung’s product portfolio.
Commenting on the appointment, Bryan Crawford, Global Vice Chairman FCB said, “We’re thrilled to be working with such a highly innovative business. We look forward to helping Samsung build stronger connections with Kiwi consumers.”
Launched in August, the agency’s first major piece of work for Samsung was the roll out of the new Note9 across the New Zealand market. The hugely successful campaign has seen sales outperform the previous model.
WJ Song of Samsung, said, “After a very intensive pitch process, we are delighted to be working with FCB. We have high goals, and trust FCB to be the agency partner to take Samsung’s brand equity to new heights with Kiwis.”


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Researchers from IIT Jodhpur have developed a new framework for blockchain technology that is lighter on data and time-efficient. The new improvised version will make secure connections with IoT devices to create a network of devices. Dr. Debasis Das has written a research paper discussing this development with the help of his research scholars. Dr. Debasis Das is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, IIT Jodhpur.
The professor has got his work published in the renowned science journal IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems. In a press release from IIT Jodhpur, the institution has stated that IoT is a new paradigm that revolutionizes the way people lead their lives. Zillions of embedded sensors will be deployed for different purposes in the next few years. The restructured IoT platforms will enable seamless data integration for better industries, smarter homes, and connectivity. IoT will improve all aspects of human life in the future. With such developments, it is necessary to pay attention to the serious concerns of data security that remain in the field. With the help of advanced blockchain technology, developers will create robust, secure IoT platforms. While Blockchain is not a new term or technology, it currently suffers from time delays and inefficiencies. Thus, this new improvement in the blockchain algorithm was necessary.
Blockchain is the answer to IoT devices’ security concerns as it is a tamper-proof, scalable, and distributed system of information that safeguards a system’s security. Secondly, cracking an information ledger like the Blockchain takes high-tech expertise. Moreover, this particular improved version of Blockchain makes tampering all the more difficult.
Dr. Das has developed this Blockchain so that it can be scalable to different devices. Even lightweight IoT devices can integrate this algorithm into their systems. The Blockchain developed is an improvised version of the Bitcoin-NG protocol. Moreover, Bitcoin NG is a secure, efficient algorithm. However, its drawbacks of high computational power requirement and energy-intensive operations are what Dr. Das resolved. Dr. Das developed a leader selection algorithm that reduced the number of operations per node. This, therefore, reduced the energy required for operation and its computational power requirement. Since the system became energy-efficient and lightweight, it can now be used in small-scale IoT devices.
The Bitcoin NG algorithm resolves different problems in the IoT context. The Bitcoin NG algorithm helps in resolving difficult tasks without human intervention. Therefore, the improved technology will give a sturdy base for scalable IoT applications for deployment and use in different contexts. If the world is looking at using IoT devices for new tasks, it needs to improve the security framework behind the devices. In traditional blockchain algorithms, blocks add to time delays and energy consumption. The model suggested by Dr. Das and his team reduces the drawbacks of blockchain technology, making efficient Blockchain a part of today’s tech as IoT devices. The security concerns that impede the growth of the IoT sector resolve with the new model of the Blockchain. Many international journals and institutions recognize the current model of the technology.
Credits: For more information, you can check here.
Tanaya is a Senior Content Developer at IoT Avenue who helped to build the content of the site along with several other sites with her compassionate SEO driven content. She is also a HubSpot, certified Content Marketer. She brings her five years of experience to her current role, where she is dedicated to developing the content of different websites.
Nov 21, 2019 | Press Releases
Dec 05, 2019 | IoT Applications & Examples
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Jan 02, 2020 | IoT Devices & Sensors, IoT Applications & Examples


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Forget Windows 8. That is what Microsoft is hoping you’ll do, as it prepares to launch a new operating system to replace its flagging product and bring computers, smartphones and tablets a whole new range of productivity under the legendary Windows label with Windows 10.
“Windows 10 will deliver the right experience on the right device at the right time. It will be our most comprehensive platform ever,” says Microsoft, which has skipped over the name Windows 9 and jumped straight to number 10.
The reason for this, writes Alex Evans, is because of its widespread availability on virtually every type of device - but, cynically speaking, it might also make Windows 7 users feel more outdated and inclined to upgrade.
The return of the Start menu is going to be welcomed with widespread arms by users of Windows 8 who felt bewildered by the lack of the traditional option.
Apps and programs will also no longer run in full screen by default, but run in windows which can be tweaked and resized like the Windows of old.
Such concessions are an attempt by Microsoft to answer some of the backlash from Windows 8, which has struggled to convince users to upgrade from Windows 7 due to its radical design which left users scratching their heads - especially those without a touchscreen.
The operating system will also support multiple desktops at once, a bit like an Android phone.
So one might be full of business tools such as Word and Excel, another may host your favourite games, while a third could be covered in shortcuts for favourite photos or music apps, making it more easy to organise your digital life.
As the firm puts it: “It’s time for a new Windows. This new Windows must be built from the ground up for a mobile-first, cloud-first world. This new Windows must help our customers be productive in both their digital work and their digital life. It must empower people and organisations to do great things.”
Whether the market will respond positively remains to be seen, but the operating system will be Microsoft’s next big push to stay relevant in an increasingly mobile-first world.


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Chocolate continues to lead the way in confectionery
Australia is a nation divided into sweet tribes of stretchers, biters, splitters and nibblers according to the first ever Allen’s Lolly Lovers Index*, which has delved into the most loved, weird and wacky ways locals enjoy their favourite lollies.
Coles has confirmed that it will be removing Starburst lollies from shelves. Woolworths has already made this same move back
After its development and initial release, Ruby chocolate is being made available in Australia, exclusively through the Melbourne KitKat Chocolatory.
Held across two dates at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre held this year’s Fantastic Food & Drink trade show
Cadbury is launching a number of sensational new Cadbury Dairy Milk branded products for Australians to enjoy, including the exciting “Packed with Yum!” rang
Cadbury has announced it is going to launch a new campaign on May 10th, encouraging consumers to ‘Share the Taste’.
The Yowie Group has announced the appointment of its new, non-exclusive Director Mr William Johnson.
The Yowie Group has announced the expanding distribution of its popular Yowie chocolates into more stores across America.
Energy Drink brand V has merged its energy-inducing powers with Donut King to create a whole new donut experience.


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SEVERAL years ago I didn't think there was a possibility that a PC laptop could be as thin as an Apple Macbook Air. Things changed last year when Intel introduced the next evolution in laptop computers - the Ultrabook.
Suddenly almost every major laptop maker has an Ultrabook in their lineup. In fact, this year's Consumer Electronics Show had a strong showing of the new notebook class with more models on the horizon.
HP, like many other companies, has been waiting to unveil their take on the Ultrabook and the Folio 13 is their first offering.


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A curious site greeted attendees at last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3): a slightly charred SpaceX Dragon capsule next to a tent outside the Los Angeles Convention Center, with company staff giving away free “Occupy Mars” T-shirts. What’s a real-life space firm doing at a convention dedicated to simulation?
“We’re recruiting!” explained one of employees.
“We actually hire a lot of our best software engineers out of the gaming industry,” said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, when Fast Company posed this question during the May 29 Dragon V2 unveiling. “In gaming there’s a lot of smart engineering talent doing really complex things. [Compared to] a lot of the algorithms involved in massive multiplayer online games…a docking sequence [between spacecraft] is actually relatively straightforward. So I’d encourage people in the gaming industry to think about creating the next generation of spacecraft and rockets.”
SpaceX is among a handful of non-gaming companies that are using E3, the annual video game conference that took place in Los Angeles this week, to scout for talent.
The increased adoption of gaming technology for other uses–corporate training, recruiting, marketing, biometric analysis–require developers with experience using those tools. But it also has to do with a skillset that combines conceptual and linear thinking, teamwork, and comfort with failure.
“You’re seeing more companies and institutions using games and interactivity as ways to recruit, train, and inspire employees, now that school kids and folks entering the workforce have grown up with video games,” says Richard Taylor, senior vice president of communications and research for the Entertainment Software Association.
“The nature of gaming programming is such that you have to be accustomed to failing, recalibrating, and moving forward efficiently, quickly, and without drama,” he said. “There’s a collaboration and adaptability required in both creating and playing games–especially massively multiplayer online games–requiring partnerships to accomplish tasks. These are appealing elements to employers.”
“The gaming community has grown up, so people who were often derided in the past as living in their parents’ basement actually work for a living,” adds Amy Barzdukas, vice president of product management for premium products and new initiatives at Hewlett-Packard. “And the overlap of gamers and developers is very high. If I were looking for developers–which I don’t in my job–it certainly would be smart place to start. Hard-core gamers are computer savvy, but when they’re looking at code, they see the story.”
Gaming mindsets also mesh with environments that don’t involve coding or games. App Annie, a San Francisco firm providing analytics, market data, and rankings for more than 4 million apps (gaming and other), has attended E3 since starting up in 2010, encountering potential employees through heavy networking at parties. “Gaming attracts great engineering talent. But analytics is cultural, so it pervades beyond engineering and into product management,” says Marcos Sanchez, VP of global communications. “Gaming product managers have an analytic mindset, and too some extent, that moves into marketing as well.”
Game developers have access to sophisticated research data, such as the number of minutes players spend or the levels in which they make the most micro-transactions. Understanding rich data sets, and linking that to customer usage patterns, is an enormously valuable skill. “When you throw a bunch of data at them, they don’t turn into deers in headlights,” says Sanchez. “They understand its implications and know how to use it in a creative and nimble manner.”
Seattle startup Reflx Labs was at E3 for this first time this year, trying to recruit talent interested in partnering on applications developed with Reflx’s flagship product, Boogio. It’s a “smart shoe” kit that outfits footwear with sensors and electronics that gather, control, and transmit data to other devices. It has applications in gaming, physical rehabilitation, athletic training, and control interface. Relfx Labs is selling its $2,000 professional alpha development kits at E3, which will be followed by a $300 hobbyist versions of the kit later this summer. The hope is that game developers will create new apps from the Boogio platform, which they can partner with Reflx to market. A consumer product is due next year.
“We’re scouting for employees to bring into the company, as well as freelance developers to create new applications for Boogio, then partner with us through our business ecosystem and distribution infrastructure, much the way Apple does with its App Store for iOS developers,” says Reflx founder and CEO Jose Torres. “These artists and engineers have great technical abilities, can develop software with complex programing, and have a great understanding of user experience and interaction. But they also want to be entrepreneurs. We’ve identified so many possibilities [for developable apps] and don’t have the resources to do it all. This way, we’ll get good ideas from people who approach it as a creative tool, and empower them to be entrepreneurs.”
John Underkoffler, who is best known for creating the technical blueprint inspiring the iconic gestural computer that Tom Cruise used in Minority Report, is eyeing E3 for recruiting in the future. He’s developed a real-life version of his computer interface, the G-Speak, through his Los Angeles company, Oblong. Now he wants to expand the interface capabilities.
“As a company whose mission is to change the world through radical new user interfaces, we pay close attention to graphics, visual design, and interaction,” he adds. “There’s no industry where those elements come together so adroitly as the gaming industry. A game designer-developer’s skill set and mode of thinking are perfectly suited to how we work. They understand product deadlines, but also can’t really cut visual corners, so they’re accustomed to delivering beautiful work on time.”


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India revenues for Onmobile Global grew to Rs 57.6 crore, up 13.8% year on year and 24.3% quarter on quarter, as the company reduced costs. It won an exclusive deal for caller ringback tones with Tata Teleservices, and says it renewed contract for SMS, WAP and USSD services "with a leading operator". On a consolidated basis, Onmobile reported a net loss of Rs 1.21 crore, as compared with a profit of Rs 1.5 crore reported for the same quarter last year, and down from Rs 23.9 crore reported in Q1-FY15. This was helped by a marginal quarter on quarter increase in revenues, which rose to Rs 207.5 crores. Since Onmobile had once said that Mobile VAS cannot be viewed from a Quarter on Quarter point of view, the following chart should give you an indication of its performance over the trailing four quarters: Data declined as a percentage of revenue due to Voxmobili sale International Business International revenues, at Rs 149.9 crores, now account for 72% of Onmobile's revenues. International revenues were flat, when normalising for the sale of VoxMobili, the company said. MediaNama readers might recall that OnMobile had sold Voxmobili to Synchronoss for $26 million in July this year, following an intellectual property violation case filed by Synchronoss, against Voxmobili, Onmobile Global and Onmobile USA LLC. The company said that Voxmobili revenue was mainly derived from the developed markets and hence Q2-FY15 numbers are not comparable with the historical quarters. Adjusted for the sale of Voxmobili, revenues increased…
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MediaNama’s mission is to help build a digital ecosystem which is open, fair, global and competitive.
India's smartphone operating system BharOS has received much buzz in the media lately, but does it really merit this attention?
After using the Mapples app as his default navigation app for a week, Sarvesh draws a comparison between Google Maps and Mapples
The regulatory ambivalence around an instrument so essential to facilitate data exchange – the CM framework – is disconcerting for several reasons.
The provisions around grievance redressal in the Data Protection Bill "stands to be dangerously sparse and nugatory on various counts."
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As spotted on The Verge, yesterday Amazon threw their hat into the video-game ring by announcing their cloud subscription service – Luna. The announcement came during Amazon’s 2020 hardware event. According to the article, the service will cost $5.99 a month (just over R100 currently) at least at first and will be available on their own Amazon Fire TV as well as PC, Mac, iPhone and iPads… and eventually on Android devices too. Americans can request early access, however, as explained in the piece the roll out to other countries was not mentioned.
Subscribers will be able “to play Luna+ channel games across two devices simultaneously [in] 4K / 60fps resolution for “select titles””. There will apparently be over 100 games available at launch and they will apparently be divided into some sort of ‘channel’ system. An example of this is the special Ubisoft-specific ‘channel’ where titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, and Immortals: Fenyx Rising will be available in 4K when they become available. Amazon also revealed a special Luna Controller (as pictured below) which will apparently connect directly to the cloud – enabling a lower-latency experience.
So what do you think? Is Amazon Luna going to make any waves? Or will it go the way of Stadia – which at least for now seems to be whimpering to death? Surely, Game Pass on PC is just a better offer? Let us know in the comments section below.


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With the Canada-based cannabis company’s quarterly earnings report, and the accompanying event...
Google misses as costs climb on bet that economic recovery will continue
07/15/2010 6:41 pm EST
After the market close on July 15 Google reported second quarter earnings of $6.45 a share. That was worse than the $6.52 Wall Street analysts had projected. The stock dropped 4.2% or $20.62 in after hours trading to $473.40.
The problem wasn’t revenue—which is good news for the U.S. (and global economy) since most of Google’s revenue comes from advertising and higher revenue means more advertisers are buying ads. Revenue climbed to $5.09 billion, up 25% from the second quarter of 2009. Analysts had forecast revenue of $4.99 billion.
Not only were more advertisers buying ads, but more people were clicking on them—another sign of healthy economic activity. The number of revenue-generating clicks on Google ads climbed 15% in the quarter from the second quarter of 2009.
And advertisers were willing to pay more for them. —the average price per ad click rose by 4% from the second quarter of 2009. (Although that 4% growth rate is lower than the growth rate in the first quarter of 2010 and the last quarter of 2009.
But rising operating costs at Google turned that revenue growth into slightly disappointing earnings. Google added 1,100 employees in the quarter. The company's also spent $476 million on capital expenditures including data centers. That was more than three times the capital spending in the second quarter of 2009.
That probably wouldn’t have hurt the stock quite so badly except that the increase in expenses followed quarters where Google had worked hard to cut costs in response to Wall Street worries that the company, like many fast growing companies, had lost control of spending.
Google’s management has argued that now is the time to expand since the U.S. economy is on the rebound. But as we know from watching stocks struggle after hitting a high on April 23 Wall Street isn’t convinced that the U.S. economy isn’t going to slow more than Google now seems to expect.
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Kanye West took NYFW by storm with the unveil of his new Yeezy Season 5 fashion show at NYC's Pier 59 Studios, but the new line wasn't met with particular acclaim from Sia, who asked the rapper to lose the fur.
After the debut of the fashion line on Wednesday (February 15), the pop maestro took to Twitter to send a message his way. "Dear @kanyewest would you consider going fur free?" the singer wrote, linking to a YouTube clip titled "Under the Fur Coats: Rabbits’ Screams of Death." With just a quick look at the line, it's pretty clear that Yeezy's new venture includes large fur coats and some fur accessories.
If you're a fan of Sia, you already know that she's been a long-time supporter of animal rights. Not only is she a vegan, but the pop star has collaborated with PETA on a number of projects and even donated $50,000 to a "Survivor" fan favorite finalist, who decided to oppose animal cruelty throughout season 32 of the show.
Photo: Getty Images


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O’Brien questions Rep. Forbes on effectivess of Congressional Accountability Pay Act
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien challenges effectiveness of Rep. Randy Forbes’ Congressional Accountability Pay Act that dictates when federal spending goes up, salaries for Congress go down.
Rep. Forbes says, “Or we look at legislators and say you need to have some skin in the game. If you can’t control spending and it goes up by 10%, your salary goes down by 10%.”
O’Brien, “Forbes [magazine] says you make a lot of money. Forbes says you are a wealthy man. That 10% of your salary in Congress… that is not going to be a dent in your personal wealth. And there are a lot of Congress people who make way more than you…. Is it really going to hurt them?”
Rep. Forbes responds, “Forbes has never said that about me.”
Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien airs weekday mornings from 7-9am ET on CNN.


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Soaring commodity prices eating into margins
LEES Foods has warned half year profits are likely to be down despite posting record sales.
The Coatbridge-based bakery and sweet maker said sales for the six months to June 30 were £10.22 million compared to £9.62 million last year.
Demand for goods has been particularly strong with Scottish sales now at record levels.
However soaring commodity prices are hitting profits with the cost of key ingredients such as coconut, which is used to make 50 million snowball cakes each year, remaining high.
The group - made up of macaroon maker Lees of Scotland and ice-cream cone manufacturer Waverley Bakery has responded by raising prices and reducing packaging.
In a market update posted today, Lees said: "Commodity prices remain high, although as reported in May the company has been successful in taking steps to mitigate these.
"There has been a natural time lag in this process which means pre-tax profits for the first six months are likely to be lower than last year, however, the company remains optimistic in respect of the second half of the year and is confident of achieving current market forecasts for the full year."