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Standard Chartered Bank Kenya has invested Sh200 million to bolsters its cybersecurity systems in a bid to counter mounting digital frauds. The lender said it seeks to improve its authentication processes for clients using its digital payments platforms, running awareness campaigns and using artificial intelligence to detect suspicious activity.
Banks are increasingly adopting mobile and digital products as an efficient and cost-effective way of reaching customers and growing market share. This has, however, made them more vulnerable to cyber-attacks, putting at risk customers’ deposits and savings.
“Cybercrime is going to be the biggest challenge in the financial sector for many years to come—we are using a lot more technology, so that is not an area in which we can slow down,” stated Kariuki Ngari, Stanchart’s chief executive, adding that customers need to be made aware of these threats.
Kenya’s economy is fast shifting into the digital space, making the country a key target by online criminals.
Check Point Software reveals that the number of cyberthreats reported to the Kenyan National Cyber Crime Centre (NCC) in the first quarter of the 2022/23 year rose by almost 200 percent. According to the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), the number of cyberattacks detected in the country in the three months ending September 2022 stood at 278 million. This is almost three times the number of threats reported in previous quarter.
“There is simply no respite from ransomware and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks,” says Pankaj Bhula, Regional Director for Africa at Check Point. “This puts users under increasing pressure to keep up to date with the latest trends in the threat landscape.”
Cases where links are widely circulated promising free airtime, money and other products have been used in phishing attacks to collect personal data and use it to siphon cash.
Criminals also send out legitimate-looking emails from trustworthy websites requesting personal and financial details from unsuspecting people, fooling them into submitting personal or financial data and passwords.
In 2017, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) developed cybersecurity regulations for the banking sector, which required lenders to formulate policy, strategy and a framework to fight the crime.
Most banks, however, do not reveal the level of fraud and cyberattacks they face and the losses on these occasions, unless the cases land in court. This is because of the reputational risk involved for them in the eyes of depositors, who bank with them based on trust that their funds are safe.
This has informed the increased vigilance by lenders against fraudsters, and higher investment in customer awareness campaigns which involve short text messaging, emails, media adverts and social media posts.
Stanchart said last year, it sent over 4.7 million text messages to its customers in a fraud awareness drive.
The lender has also initiated multifactor authentication for digital access to customer accounts.


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Drop in Q1 VC dollars, but deals were up
- Diana Samuels, Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
Dollars invested by VC firms dropped 22 percent in the first quarter of this year, but the number of deals rose, according to a report released Wednesday.
That means there’s not much to worry about, since the number of deals is a better gauge of investor sentiment, said CB Insight, a New York-based firm that tracks private companies.
$5.9 billion dollars were invested in 785 deals during the first quarter, compared with $7.6 Billion in 755 deals last quarter.
The big drop in dollars invested was because there were fewer “mega deals,” the report said. Instead, smaller, early-stage deals rose: 19 percent, or almost one in five, VC deals were an early stage seed investment, the report said. That’s a 5 percent jump from last quarter, when 14 percent of deals were seed funding.
That pattern was repeated for both Internet and mobile companies, where the overall dollars invested went down but the number of deals stayed at least steady.
Among Internet companies, business intelligence and security companies received some of the most funding, while funding for social Internet companies dropped. Within mobile, gaming and advertising were the top sectors for VCs to invest in.
Green tech was the most troubled category, with a drop in both the number of deals and the total amount invested. $763 million was invested in 56 deals for green tech companies in the first quarter, compared with $1.28 billion in 69 companies the quarter before.
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WASHINGTON — Amid opposition from top Democrats, President Bush said Monday that he is sending to Congress a free trade agreement with Colombia that he urged lawmakers to approve.
The decision by Bush, who said the pact would help stabilize the region, sets the stage for a contentious debate and vote on Capitol Hill in the heat of the presidential campaign.
Congress has 90 days to consider the legislation under special trade negotiating rules that require an up-or-down vote and do not allow amendments. The Colombian accord was negotiated before Congress decided last year not to renew Bush's trade promotion authority.
"This agreement will advance America's national security interests in a critical region," Bush said at a news conference in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. "It will strengthen a courageous ally in our hemisphere. It will help America's economy and America's workers at a vital time. It deserves bipartisan support from the United States Congress."
Democratic congressional leaders have repeatedly warned the Bush administration not to send the Colombia pact to Capitol Hill, arguing that the Colombian government has failed to do enough to halt assassinations and kidnappings of trade unionists. They also have urged implementing an overhaul of a program that helps retrain workers who lose their jobs because of international trade before the Colombia deal is considered.
In addition, opponents contend the agreements would result in the loss of U.S. jobs. Proponents say it would open a new market for U.S. goods.
The debate over the proposed agreement has created upheaval in the campaign for the White House.
Mark Penn, chief strategist for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D., N.Y.), stepped down Sunday after the Wall Street Journal reported he met with the Colombian ambassador to the U.S. to discuss promoting the trade deal, which is opposed by Clinton. Penn is chief executive officer of Burson-Marsteller, a public relations firm that represented the government of Colombia in its effort to have the trade deal ratified by Congress.
The President also is seeking congressional approval of free trade pacts with South Korea and Panama.
Apparel importers that shipped $419 million worth of products made in Colombia to the U.S. in the past 12 months, and textile producers that export millions of dollars of fabrics and yarns to the country, have called on Congress to pass a bilateral trade deal with Colombia to make the duty free benefits permanent. They are now temporary under a regional Andean trade pact that needs periodic renewal.UNITE HERE, the apparel industry's main union, vigorously opposes the Colombian trade agreement and has vowed to work for its defeat.
"It is outrageous," said Bruce Raynor, general president of UNITE HERE. "In the middle of a time when American workers can't afford to put gas in their cars to go to work, Bush would send an agreement to Congress that will further reduce American jobs."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and Rep Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.) criticized the President, saying: "His unprecedented decision to send a free trade agreement to Congress without following established protocols of congressional consultation is counterproductive, jeopardizing prospects for its passage."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said the President is pressing for congressional action "under circumstances that maximize the chances it will fail" because of opposition from the Democratic majority in Congress.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told reporters that prospects for the agreement in Congress were good because there were Republicans and Democrats who recognized it was important for U.S. economic interests and for national security.
"When we send up a trade agreement, we never know, quite frankly, how it's going to play, but no Congress has ever defeated a trade agreement," Schwab said.
EXCLUSIVE: Two and half months after John Targon, cofounder and codesigner of Baja East, was hired as creative director of the contemporary division at Marc Jacobs, he has left the company, WWD has learned. Marc Jacobs International, which is owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, confirmed Targon’s departure in a statement: “John Targon is a talented designer and we appreciate the work he has done here. Ultimately working together did not make sense for the brand and we wish him the best.” Read the story by @jessiredale, link in bio. #wwdnews
@theluxurycollection is officially launching a collection, tapping Sofia Sanchez de Betak for the capsule. Over 30 styles will be featured in the Chufy x The Luxury Collection, debuting next month at Bergdorf Goodman, The Webster, FiveStory and more. De Betak, known as “@chufy,” drew inspiration for the collection from her trips to Japan in the past year #wwdfashion
@lhd, founder and CEO of @thewebster, has teamed up with @lebonmarcherivegauche for the European launch of her ready-to-wear line, LHD. The launch will come with an exclusive pop-up opening today that’s set to run through May 20. Located on the second floor, it carries her debut Miami-themed resort collection, launched in November as see-now-buy-now. #wwdfashion
@longchamp, which marks its 70th anniversary this year, just opened its biggest U.S. store on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. On the lower level there’s a floor-to-ceiling display of the brand’s iconic Le Pliage bag – in all of its different colors, shapes and sizes. Customers can also have their product personalized in-store by imprinting names, initials or emblems. #wwdfashion (📷: @ericmtownsend)
“Whenever I’m in that place of sound and music, I don’t have fear or nervousness…This album has a lot of themes of courage and boldness and I want to be the soundtrack for people’s lives. I’ll be so happy if [my songs] evoke strength in people, which I know music has done for me,” says @kimbramusic of her newest album “Primal Heart.” The New Zealand-born singer sat down with WWD to talk about her music, newest tour and connecting with hear fans — read more on WWD.com #wwdeye (📷: @jilliansollazzo)
Luxury handbag resale company @rebagofficial is planning to sell a rare collectible for $70,000: the @hermes White Crocodile Himalayan Birkin. The exclusive Birkin sold for about $100,000 in 2008, when @davidbeckham bought one for his wife @victoriabeckham to add to her collection. Read more about the rare Birkin on WWD.com #wwdaccessories
With her costume pearl necklace and what-you-see-is-what-you-get style, Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday at age 92, was a straight-shooter from start to finish.
Born Barbara Pierce in New York City, Bush served as the 37th first lady, as well as the country’s second lady from 1981 to 1989. In addition to being part of the longest presidential marriage — 73 years — Bush also had the unlikely distinction of having one son, George W., become the 43rd president and another son, Jeb, run unsuccessfully in 2016. Having served as second lady during the Reagan administration’s two terms and lived all over the world during her own husband’s ascending political career, Barbara Bush made it clear that literacy — not fashion — was her priority. Read more from Rosemary Feitelberg’s obituary on the late First Lady in WWD.com, link in bio. #barbarabush #wwdnews
Western and ’90s trends have influenced denim for fall 2018. Think raw, dark and coated jeans mixed with bold prints and tough leather. #trendtuesdays #wwdfashion (Styled by @thealexbadia;📷: @ryanplett)


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A demand for a massive amount of data from nine technology companies — including Facebook and Twitter — has been made by the Federal Trade Commission in what could be a prelude to regulation on the handling of data by the industry.
The demand made Monday by the FTC seeks to obtain information on how many users the companies have, how active the users are, what the companies know about them, how they got that information, and what steps the companies take to continue to engage users.
The agency also wants to know how social media and video streaming companies process the data they collect and what kinds of inferences they are able to make about user attributes, interests, and interactions.
In addition, the commission is gathering information on the companies business models and how they target children and families.
Firms targeted in the FTC’s demand were Facebook, WhatsApp, Snap, Twitter, YouTube, ByteDance, Twitch, Reddit, and Discord.
Data gathered from the demand will be used for a study that will “lift the hood on the social media and video streaming firms to carefully study their engines,” the commission said in a statement.
“Despite their central role in our daily lives, the decisions that prominent online platforms make regarding consumers and consumer data remain shrouded in secrecy,” it noted. “Critical questions about business models, algorithms, and data collection and use have gone unanswered.”
“Policymakers and the public are in the dark about what social media and video streaming services do to capture and sell users’ data and attention,” it continued. “It is alarming that we still know so little about companies that know so much about us.”
Not all the members of the commission supported the data dump demand.
Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips, in a dissenting opinion, called the move “an undisciplined foray into a wide variety of topics, some only tangentially related to the stated focus of this investigation.”
“The actions undertaken today trade a real opportunity to use scarce government resources to advance public understanding of consumer data privacy practices — critical to informing ongoing policy discussions in the United States and internationally — for the appearance of action on a litany of gripes with technology companies,” he maintained.
“The breadth of the inquiry, the tangential relationship of its parts, and the dissimilarity of the recipients combine to render these orders unlikely to produce the kind of information the public needs,” he continued, “and certain to divert scarce Commission resources better directed elsewhere.”
Julian Sanchez, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C., also questioned the wisdom of the FTC’s move.
“The breadth of the information requests — covering everything from data practices to advertising to business strategy — from nine somewhat arbitrarily chosen companies with quite different business models gives this the feel of something of a fishing expedition,” he told TechNewsWorld.
“Given that the FTC is primarily an enforcement agency, I don’t know if this sort of open-ended data dive is the best use of their limited manpower,” he continued.
Data Dump Needed
While the FTC’s information demand is hefty and complex, it’s necessary, countered Michelle Richardson, director of the Privacy & Data Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology, an online civil liberties and human rights advocacy organization in Washington, D.C.
“You need a lot of information if you’re going to go ahead and either enforce against bad behavior or draft guidance for companies,” she told TechNewsWorld.
“This seems like a first step that will eventually lead to closer scrutiny of the companies in the interest of consumers,” she said.
“This can lead to a public-facing report that will inform consumers so they can make better choices,” she continued.
“It will allow the FTC to be smarter in its own choices about bringing cases,” she added, “and help it set a baseline of explicit questions to ask all companies.”
Performing these kinds of studies based on data gathered from the industries it regulates is part of the FTC’s job, maintained Rob Shavell, CEO and co-founder of Abine, a Boston-based maker of software for managing passwords, masking email, and blocking ads and trackers.
“It’s important to have this information so Congress can make decisions based on actual data, not company statements about their data, which can be misleading,” he told TechNewsWorld.
Hidden Antitrust Agenda
However, French Caldwell, CFO of The Analyst Syndicate, an IT research and analysis group, asserted that the commission appears to be interested in more than privacy in its demand for data.
“They’ve gone beyond what is necessary for their stated purposes,” he told TechNewsWorld. “The only reason I can see for that is that they’re looking at antitrust, not just privacy.”
Although consumers are supposed to be the beneficiaries of the FTC’s data grab, they might not be the prime beneficiaries.
“The biggest beneficiaries of the information gathered by the FTC are going to be regulators,” said Fred H. Cate, vice president for research at Indiana University.
“They’ll be able to understand more about what’s going on,” he told TechNewsWorld. “That will determine if they pursue other measures or if they’re satisfied with what they learn and stop there. In which case, consumers may not benefit much at all.”
“I also think it’s overblown that we, the public, would know what to do with information like this,” he added. “If every social media company is doing the same aggressive things with data, am I really going to abandon one when I don’t really have a choice of anywhere else to go to?”
Reality, Not Fear Mongering
Liz Miller, vice president and a principal analyst at Constellation Research, a technology research and advisory firm in Cupertino, Calif., maintained that the lack of focus of the study will reduce any potential benefits for consumers.
“Unlike previous FTC research initiatives — say, for example, advertising practices of cigarette companies and the impact these branding initiatives have had on influencing children to smoke — this current investigation doesn’t seem to have a specific outcome in mind other than to say social media and technology are bad,” she told TechNewsWorld.
“As someone whose career has largely centered on research, I am all for true investigations into the impact of technology — in this case, social media on community,” she said, “but the scope of this study is arbitrary.”
Since most of the laws on the books governing technology are antiquated, Miller expects to see more investigations into the sector.
“My hope is,” she said, “that we see more informed legislation based on the realities of today and tomorrow’s consumption, development, and business of digital rather than fear-mongering over what those evil elites in big tech are doing to everyone.”


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More than 4 million Nissan owners are entitled to $500 as part of a faulty air bag settlement with the Japanese car manufacturer. Nissan agreed to pay $97.7 million to settle class-action claims in the settlement.
The settlement is due to faulty Takata airbag inflators that were installed in 4.4 million Nissan vehicles, according to Reuters. Though Nissan admittedly installed the air bags, the company is not conceding that they had any fault in the matter.
The Takata airbag inflators are now responsible for 16 deaths and 180 injuries, according to Clark.com. During its rapid inflation, the air bag inflators have been known to burst with excessive force, discharging metal shrapnel inside vehicles.
This settlement follows at the heels of several other major automaker settlements, including Toyota, Subaru, BMW AG and Mazda, affecting 15.8 million vehicles with Takata inflators. Honda and Ford have not yet agreed to settle consumer economic loss claims.
In addition to the $500 reimbursement to Nissan owners, the company has agreed to pay for other economic losses and out-of-pocket expenses, such as rental cars for some owners, a customer support program for repairs and adjustments, and an extended warranty.
Nissan models involved in the recall include the Maxima, Pathfinder, Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, built between 2001 to 2012. According to Reuters, 29.9 percent of Nissan vehicles recalled with Takata inflators had been fixed as of late June.
In June Takata filed for bankruptcy for its defective airbags in what has become the largest ever automotive recall. What do you think? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.


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THOMASVILLE, N.C. -- Thomasville Police said they're investigating E-Z Tobacco, a store in the Liberty Square Shopping Center, for selling synthetic marijuana to teenagers.
Lieutnant Jerry Jolly with Thomasville Police said E-Z Tobacco likely made most of it's money selling synthetic marijuana and prescription pain pills.
"It’s bad for the community. It’s bad for our children," Lieutenant Jolly said. "They’re looking at serious fines and prison time. They’re basically selling drugs."
Jolly said undercover agents seized 1,000 grams of synthetic marijuana, also called Spice, Cush and K-2.
Thomasville police arrested Jamie Lynn Baker of Thomasville and charged her with several drug charges. Some of the charges are felonies. Police said more people could face charges as their investigation continues.
Several customers trying to shop at the tobacco store realized it closed Tuesday. Many of them said they had the cheapest cigarette prices around.


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TRADERS have raised their concerns about the future of a shopping district after two more businesses closed down.
Wicked Waffle and Mammalena, both in London Road, North End, recently closed their doors.
They follow in the footsteps of McDonald’s, which closed down earlier this year.
Now traders are worried this could affect them.
Simon Bratby is the co-owner of Pet Price. He said: ‘After the parking was taken away, KFC went first and then McDonald’s went.
‘I think that affected them a great deal. When they went, our trade went down.’
And Mr Bratby said he is worried for the future.
‘I think half of the retailers are sitting on their leases. When they come to an end, they will go,’ he said.
‘We are hoping to do up the front of our shop to improve it and make it look brighter.
‘North End has been declining for many years.’
Portsmouth City Council is carrying out a report into revitalising high streets and secondary shopping areas.
John McGee, manager of Price Crazy, added: ‘Shops closing down doesn’t do the area any good.
‘I thought that when Sainsbury’s came here it would have picked up but it didn’t.
‘The rates are too high. They just can’t cope with it.’
Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, has been working with Portsmouth City Council to try and find ways to improve the area and regenerate the high street.
She suggested setting up free parking, organising a weekly market and employing some street wardens.
She said: ‘The traders have identified things that would make an immediate impact to them, and the council should get on with those whilst it also produces its much-needed report in to what more can be done over the medium term.’
Cllr Luke Stubbs, deputy leader at the council said traders could form an association.
He added: ‘The occupancy rate in North End remains strong, and while there are a few empty units they’re very much the exception.’
The council has also made its Stubbington Avenue car park free after 3pm.


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Qualcomm wants iPhone Xs, Xs Max, XR banned in China too
Samsung Bitcoin App In Works With Cold Wallet To Save Cryptocurrencies
Google is preparing to release a Lite version smartphones Pixel
OnePlus 6T McLaren edition announced with 10GB RAM and Warp Charge 30
Iceborne Expansion Coming in 2019
Nintendo Switch Exclusive Octopath Traveler Gets Release Date
10 March 2018, 06:45 | Cameron Gross
Octopath Traveller Has A Release Date In July
If you're a fan of Square Enix's RPGs that aren't necessarily Final Fantasy, then you might have heard that previous year, the company announced that they would be launching a new RPG called Octopath Traveler.
The newest characters revealed are Tressa, the Merchant, and Alfyn, the Apothecary.
JRPG fans will also be pleased with the in-depth job system and customization Octopath Traveler comes with. Players will be able to give characters job classes, and indeed, assign them secondary classes which can be changed at times. For those unfamiliar, this is a brand new RPG by Square Enix that will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. Lots of new information was given about the game, including introducing two new characters, more information about Jobs and even a release date.
Another interesting announcement for those who have their eyes on collectibles was the game's special edition, or the "Wayfarer's Edition".
Also announced today was the game's special edition, which will be available at launch. The special edition includes a soundtrack, a map, a coin resembling those found in the game, and a pop-up book featuring all eight characters.
Octopath Traveler, a project which harkens to classical RPGs of the SNES era, has been in the makings for a while for Nintendo Switch.
Man City 1-2 Basel
The lead lasted just eight minutes as Mohamed Elyounoussi rifled home from close range with City's defence caught sleeping. Both teams will enter the game with different game plans but it should result in an interesting game of football.
Rihanna Set to Launch Lingerie Line
Rihanna has reportedly signed a deal to launch a lingerie line that could been a major win for Fabletics' parent company. TechStyle is a company with several brands, including Fabletics , ShoeDazzle , JustFab and FabKids.


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Zimbabwe ahead of SA, says Econet
VALUE ADDED SERVICES| Sept. 30, 2012, 8:15 a.m.
The days when Zimbabweans looked to their southern neighbour South Africa to learn about new technologies are coming to a close, particularly in the area of cellphone technologies, mobile banking and solar power. This is according to Econet Wireless Zimbabwe CEO, Douglas Mboweni.
He says Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, through its sister company, Liquid Telecom, has built one of the most advanced fibre optic systems in Africa, which stretches from Durban in South Africa, all the way to DRC.
In Zimbabwe, the company, which also owns Zimbabwe Online, has built 'Fibre to the curb' in the country's major cities. This means you can have a fibre connected to your home or business within hours. South Africa's mobile broadband penetration is nowhere near that of Zimbabwe and it is not possible to get a fibre link to the home virtually on demand, he says.
Econet Wireless has already connected more than 2.5 million 3G users in a population of only 12 million, which means, over 22% of the population have mobile Internet access. Another 2.,5 million Zimbabweans access the Internet using other methods.
Econet Wireless has also invested heavily in Mobile Money Transfer services. Its key service, EcoCash, moves millions of dollars every day from urban to rural areas, and almost 2 million Zimbabweans do all their business using EcoCash transfers.
In contrast, he says, South African operators have struggled to get people to use Mobile Money transfer services. Even Vodacom, that is part of Vodafone, which set up M-PESA in Kenya, has not made the same headway in South Africa.
Mboweni says: "Zimbabweans have a high level of literacy and so they know what is happening elsewhere, and they want us, as their operator, to provide it. They are also very proud of us, as their own homegrown champion. Econet started here and has gone global. It reminds Zimbabweans that we are good enough to take on the world, and be excellent."
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Brokerages expect CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ:CEVA – Get Rating) to announce $34.66 million in sales for the current quarter, Zacks Investment Research reports. Three analysts have issued estimates for CEVA’s earnings, with estimates ranging from $34.40 million to $35.08 million. CEVA posted sales of $30.46 million during the same quarter last year, which would indicate a positive year-over-year growth rate of 13.8%. The company is expected to issue its next earnings report on Monday, January 1st.
On average, analysts expect that CEVA will report full-year sales of $143.27 million for the current fiscal year, with estimates ranging from $142.00 million to $144.00 million. For the next fiscal year, analysts expect that the company will report sales of $161.91 million, with estimates ranging from $160.00 million to $165.00 million. Zacks’ sales calculations are an average based on a survey of sell-side research analysts that follow CEVA.
CEVA (NASDAQ:CEVA – Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 10th. The semiconductor company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). CEVA had a return on equity of 2.51% and a net margin of 1.77%. The business had revenue of $34.39 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.13) EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 35.4% on a year-over-year basis.
In related news, EVP Issachar Ohana sold 6,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.68, for a total value of $232,080.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Michael Boukaya sold 2,331 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.00, for a total value of $79,254.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 13,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $450,942. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the company’s stock.
A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CEVA. Prospera Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in CEVA during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. lifted its position in CEVA by 130.3% during the fourth quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 760 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in CEVA by 245.4% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 967 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares during the last quarter. Dixon Hughes Goodman Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CEVA during the fourth quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in CEVA during the fourth quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.65% of the company’s stock.
CEVA stock traded up $1.95 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $35.48. The company had a trading volume of 204,898 shares, compared to its average volume of 132,658. CEVA has a 1-year low of $31.08 and a 1-year high of $52.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $36.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.67. The company has a market capitalization of $823.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 354.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.01 and a beta of 1.04.
CEVA Company Profile (Get Rating)
CEVA, Inc operates as a licensor of wireless connectivity and smart sensing technologies to semiconductor and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies worldwide. It designs and licenses various digital signal processors, AI processors, wireless platforms, and complementary software for sensor fusion, image enhancement, computer vision, voice input, and artificial intelligence (AI).
- Get a free copy of the StockNews.com research report on CEVA (CEVA)
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A new Teesside coffee house is letting customers get a taste of culture along with their cappuccino as it goes for growth just months after starting out.
Already lined up to show his work in the cafe's new addition, a gallery, is the man behind the creation of cartoon favourite Bob the Builder.
Heather Hutchinson has set up Sam's Place on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough with help from her husband, Paul.
The New York-style Italian cafe is already proving a hit. After spending more than #25,000 transforming its ground floor, they have turned the first-floor into a gallery.
Leading animator Curtis Jobling, the man who designed Bob the Builder, will be showing his work and meeting customers over a two-week period from April 2.
Mr Jobling, from Thirsk, studied at Cleveland College of Art and Design in Middlesbrough and recently took part in the Animex festival on Teesside.
He spotted the cafe was opening an art gallery and approached the couple to see if he could exhibit his work.
Heather said: "It's a great opportunity for people to come and meet him.
"We've had a lot of interest from other local artists and we're hoping things will really take off."
Heather, a former manager with designer store Psyche, has named the coffee house after her son, Sam.
She said: "We've worked very hard to make the place comfortable and relaxing."
The cafe has been fitted with comfortable leather sofas and chairs. It imports top-brand coffee L'Antico from Italy for its brews.
Heather added: "The whole idea of a 'cafe culture' is really on the up and people are now more likely to meet in a nice cafe than a pub these days.
"We thought Middlesbrough really needed somewhere like that."
The couple is now planning to spend a further #10,000 on a new shop front with doors that will fold back completely in the summer to give the site a pavement cafe feel.
The cafe is currently hosting an exhibition by local artist Margaret Peever. The gallery, known as Emmy's Room after Heather and Paul's daughter, has sofas and chairs so people can enjoy their coffee along with the art.
The cafe is also hoping to benefit from the ongoing economic revival of Linthorpe Road Central.
Heather said: "Things in this area are really taking off. We now have a complete mix of people using the cafe. We want it to be a meeting place for people where they can also enjoy the gallery."


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(Reuters) – United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said U.S. companies have raised concerns that China has become “uninvestible”, pointing to fines, raids and other actions that have made it too risky to do business in the world’s second-largest economy.
Major global firms ranging from banks to chipmakers are taking a largely cautious stance on their China business amid a frail recovery of the country’s economy from a pandemic slowdown.
Following are comments from some of the top firms on their China business during the latest reporting season:
ABB The engineering firm witnessed fewer new orders
from China in the quarter and said some customers
were shifting investments to other parts of Asia
due to geopolitical tensions.
3M Co The industrial conglomerate flagged continued
weak appetite for consumer electronics demand in
AbbVie Inc The Botox maker said it has seen rates for
aesthetics treatments in China fully recover to
pre-COVID levels and continues to anticipate
strong growth through the rest of the year in the
Anglo The global miner said it has been surprised by
American how slow the reopening of China has been but
believed a recovery was underway.
Apple The company said its iPhone sales in China grew
by “double digits” and that sales were also high
in other segments.
BHP Group The world’s biggest miner saw strong steel demand
from some sectors in China, but said it was too
early to assess the impact of Beijing’s policy
measures on the housing market.
Citigroup The lender called it the “biggest disappointment”
as growth decelerated after an initial
Coca-Cola The company saw strong demand for some juice
business in China but also flagged destocking
activity in the second quarter.
Dow Inc The chemical maker said the anticipated rebound
following the end of pandemic curbs has yet to
Estee Lauder The luxury firm forecast a weak annual profit,
owing to a slower-than-expected rebound in Asia
travel retail business.
Haleon The Sensodyne maker said sales from Fenbid pain
reliever gel doubled in China in the first half.
Hormel Foods said
sales remained soft in China as
consumer demand slowed considerably and the
commodity environment is expected to remain
unfavorable due to higher inventories.
HP Inc “We don’t see it (demand recovery in China)
happening anywhere near anytime soon. And at this
point, we’re not building that recovery in any of
our plans,” CEO Enrique Lores said.
Intel “The China market, I think, has been well
reported, hasn’t come back as strongly as people
would have expected overall,” chipmaker Intel CEO
Pat Gelsinger said.
L’Oreal The Chinese market is “really picking up,”
although “not at the speed everybody had hoped
for,” L’Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus told
LG Energy The company warned it faces weaker EV demand in
Solution China than previously expected.
LVMH The French luxury giant logged a strong rebound
in China during the second quarter.
Marriott The U.S. hotel operator said rebounding demand in
International China boosted its earnings.
Mastercard Inbound cross-border travel to China stood at
nearly 50% of 2019 levels, while outbound travel
was nearly 70%, the company said.
Merck & Co The drugmaker said use of Gardasil in China was
the biggest growth driver for the human
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said China sales outlook for
the automaker was now falling far below
NXP The chipmaker said China’s export curbs on
Semiconductor certain gallium and germanium products did not
s impact the company.
Panasonic The battery supplier said it saw no sign of a
full-fledged recovery in the factory automation
sector in China, and that it would take more time
for areas such as servers, data centres and ICT
to recover overall.
Procter & The Tide detergent maker reported a 1% drop in
Gamble its fourth-quarter volumes, mainly due to weaker
demand in the Greater China region.
Rio Tinto The world’s biggest iron ore producer struck a
cautiously optimistic tone on China as the
government has pledged more policies to boost
Royal Bank of Canada’s largest bank forecast slowing growth,
Canada partly due to a slowdown in China and elevated
climate and geopolitical risks.
Starbucks The coffeehouse chain saw a sharp recovery in
China, with third-quarter comparable sales
Tapestry Coach handbags maker said it expects to benefit
from a recovery in demand from the “highly
profitable region” of China this fiscal year.
Thermo Fisher The company witnessed significantly slower
Scientific economic activity in China during the second
quarter. “We think it’s appropriate to assume
that this condition remains in place for the
remainder of the year,” said CFO Stephen
Toyota The automaker said foreign exchange rate
fluctuations and its response to price cuts in
China hurt its results there.
Visa “Looking at Mainland China specifically,
cross-border travel continued to improve but
remains well below 2019 levels,” CFO Vasant
Volkswagen The German carmaker cut its full-year sales
target after sales dipped in China, its top
(Compiled by Savyata Mishra, Arunima Kumar, Niket Nishant, Granth Vanaik, Aditya Soni, Bhanvi Satija, Jaspreet Singh and Nathan Gomes; Edited by Shinjini Ganguli, Krishna Chandra Eluri and Shounak Dasgupta)


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News • Mar 13, 2019 11:00 GMT
With extensive expertise in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals market and being recognized as one of the leading logistics operators in the country for this segment, Panalpina Brazil announces the expansion of its operations with a considerable investment in end-to-end logistics solutions for the cold chain.
News • Feb 19, 2019 14:30 GMT
Panalpina is the first freight forwarder to subscribe globally for digital IATA manuals access. Panalpina Air Freight specialists worldwide can now access online the latest regulations and industry standards. This way, Panalpina offers faster and even more efficient services while ensuring safer and greener Air Freight operations.
News • Feb 14, 2019 16:00 GMT
Given the many Brexit challenges, Panalpina has set up a special task force to help customers find individual solutions. It also offers the following services to uphold customers' supply chains: tailored Air Freight solutions provided by the company's Charter Network, customs clearance and consulting, warehousing and other value-added logistics services, supply chain redesign and consulting.
News • Feb 13, 2019 15:30 GMT
Firmly setting its sights on innovation, customer centricity and digitalization, Panalpina delighted visitors at its Fruit Logistica stand with a holographic experience. The mixed (or hybrid) reality application showcased the journey of fruits and flowers in holographic animations. Find out what it was all about!
Panalpina flies 1.6 million roses on 'Love Plane' charter from Nairobi to Sydney in time for Valentine’s Day
News • Feb 12, 2019 19:00 GMT
Love-struck Australians who want to give out roses for Valentine’s Day on February 14 have Panalpina and the Kenyan horticultural industry to thank. International freight forwarding and logistics company Panalpina has just flown an entire Boeing 777 cargo aircraft packed full of freshly cut roses from Nairobi to Sydney, right in time for the romantic holiday.
News • Jan 25, 2019 08:43 GMT
The Panalpina Charter Network can now be easily accessed online. Panalpina’s new charter tool provides an up-to-date overview of scheduled cargo flights and of all cargo aircraft in the world – big and small – available for chartering on any given day. The charter tool features drag-and-drop origin and destination functionality, and shows current aircraft availability by geography and routes.
News • Dec 13, 2018 12:40 GMT
Together with Cargo iQ fellow member and long-standing partner Cargolux, Panalpina has just been awarded with the first prize of the first ever Cargo iQ Q Rally, an industry initiative aimed at continuously improving data quality in air freight. As Panalpina’s Marie Seco-Köppen explains, “Better data quality results in a better air freight product, for example in terms of shorter transit times.”
News • Dec 07, 2018 14:20 GMT
For the first time in its history, LATAM Cargo flew a direct route between the cities of Bogotá, Colombia, and Huntsville, Alabama, United States. The new cargo-only route was opened on December 2, 2018, and will be operated once weekly. The new service marks an important milestone for Panalpina as the company continuously expands its Charter Network and the Perishables Network.
News • Nov 30, 2018 07:30 GMT
Panalpina is assisting UNICEF for the sixth time by flying relief aid to Africa. The following report was written by journalist Peter Martell earlier this year and shows how getting aid to the people who need it most requires extreme efforts. The report also impressively illustrates how every ton of relief goods makes a big difference to thousands of people who often have not had aid for years.
News • Sep 28, 2018 06:45 GMT
The 2018 air freight peak season is due to begin after Chinese Golden Week. Many trade lanes have already seen double-digit rate increases and further increases are expected. Panalpina has secured extra flights and ensured readiness on the ground and is also testing a new charter tool, which provides an overview of scheduled cargo flights and of all cargo aircraft available for chartering.
News • Sep 26, 2018 08:20 GMT
Panalpina celebrated 80 years of operations in Italy. The international provider of supply chain solutions flew in its Boeing 747-8F for an exclusive event at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. Panalpina CEO Stefan Karlen talked about the importance of air freight for Italy and Panalpina, the need for speed for the Italian high fashion industry, and Panalpina’s unique Charter Network.
News • Jul 09, 2018 14:45 GMT
Panalpina has opened a new, purpose-built logistics center in Singapore. Strategically located at Pioneer View, the facility offers 25,800 m2 of usable warehouse space, a unique yard and container storage on the rooftop, state-of-the-art automation and air conditioning on all six floors.
News • May 18, 2018 07:45 GMT
As of today, May 18, 2018, Panalpina has added Querétaro International Airport (QRO) in Mexico to the “Speedy” loop of its Charter Network, which also connects Mexico City (MEX) and Guadalajara (GDL) with Panalpina’s air freight gateway in Huntsville (HSV), Alabama. Panalpina is the only freight carrier to serve three international airports with scheduled flights within and out of Mexico.
News • Apr 23, 2018 09:00 GMT
Ballett Zürich was invited to perform Anna Karenina as a high profile guest at the 46th Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), which took place from February 23 to March 24, 2018. Opernhaus Zürich, home to the company, tasked Panalpina with the transportation of all its theatrical equipment, including stage setting and costumes, from Zurich to Hong Kong.
News • Mar 22, 2018 10:30 GMT
Panalpina and Dutch authorities gave a Jordanian delegation, headed by His Majesty King Abdullah II, a guided tour of ground-handling operations at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. The program highlighted Europe’s third largest cargo gateway and an innovative logistics model that works fast even when dealing with fresh produce. Topics covered were inspections, security, customs, speed and efficiency.
News • Jan 31, 2018 10:50 GMT
Airlifting 42,000 kg of frozen guacamole from Mexico to the UK in ten shipments over a six-week period might seem odd. Why ship frozen food by air? If the customer was happy with having the product sent over six weeks, wouldn’t a single shipment by ocean be more reasonable?
News • Dec 08, 2017 11:22 GMT
2017 has been an exceptional year for air freight. The market has developed a new dynamic characterized by tight transport capacity and high freight rates. Panalpina’s early prediction of a very busy peak season in the last quarter turned out to be correct. In October, Panalpina recorded its highest ever monthly Air Freight volumes, a record that was beaten only one month later in November.
News • Nov 23, 2017 09:30 GMT
In an increasingly digital and automated freight forwarding environment, Panalpina is using Validaide, an open online platform it has co-developed, to qualify its key suppliers. The recently launched tool is already live in the first Panalpina business units, with all the remaining business units scheduled to go live by the end of the first quarter of 2018.
News • Oct 27, 2017 08:15 GMT
With the air freight peak season picking up, the skies are getting busier by the hour. Already in September, Panalpina’s global head of Air Freight, Lucas Kuehner, in an interview singled out HKG to LAX as one key lane where capacity would get even tighter. One month later, the scenario is a reality: “We are running at full capacity but will always find a solution for our customers."


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A recent new leak in the ongoing saga of attempting to find out something, anything, about Grand Theft Auto 6 has come out. In the leak, it’s claimed that the Grand Theft Auto 6 location setting for the game is Rio de Janiero, or at least is going to be based on it.
Grand Theft Auto, while taking place in a world similar to ours, has never taken place in an actual real-life city. Instead, it’s settled for various pastiches of other real-world cities, such as Liberty City being New York City, San Andreas being Los Angeles and San Francisco, and more.
The leak in question comes from someone who claimed that along with a map that looks similar to Vice City, a second map was revealed more recently that looks similar to Rio de Janiero, a city in Brazil. While not confirmed, however, such a setting isn’t out of the question, either.
While the Grand Theft Auto 6 location isn’t necessarily confirmed to be anything South America-related yet, there has been at least one confirmed casting choice for a character called “The Mexican.” A recent heist in Grand Theft Auto online also took players to a South American island for their mission.
It’s not entirely implausible that Grand Theft Auto might finally move out of the game’s version of America and to another country, especially since such a thing has apparently been discussed at Rockstar before. However, the map that the leaker posted is not official, and leaks should always be taken with a grain of salt.
We may still be a very long way off from any reveal about the Grand Theft Auto 6 location, especially since Rockstar seems more concerned currently with endlessly recycling Grand Theft Auto 5 from one console generation to another. While they could prove us wrong at some point in the future, up until anything is confirmed by Rockstar themselves, it’s best not to get too excited.


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Shake Shack is expanding into Orlando's tourist corridor on International Drive, according to the Orlando Business Journal.
We reached out to the company's corporate office in New York City for confirmation: "We love being in the Orlando-area, and the warm reception we've received from residents has been phenomenal. As far as an I-Drive Shack is concerned, we have nothing concrete to share at the moment," Greg Waters, senior manager of marketing and communications, wrote in an e-mail.
"Right now we're focused on making our recently opened Winter Park Shack the best it can possibly be."
Organizers of an industry event on Thursday hosted by the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce told OBJ and others in attendance that Shack Shack has signed a lease.


text:
Arizona Forestry Division fined for Hotshots’ deaths Synthetic drug makers staying one step ahead of U.S. laws Photographer captures fleeting glimpse of nature’s greatest light show
Microsoft Launches Cybercrime Center Ink cartridge scammers forced to pen cheque for $AUD100k fine
Do Antivirus Companies Whitelist NSA Malware? NSA tracks hundreds of millions of cell phones worldwide
Bitcoin Password Grab Disguised As DDoS Attack Good thing the security guy was right there, huh?
Microsoft Is Not Killing Windows RT Beijing leans on Microsoft to maintain Windows XP support
Amazon offers free online storage to Android phone buyers ‘House of Cards’ returns to Netflix February 14
Beats to launch streaming music service in January Chase the Blues Brothers with frame-by-frame Lego remake Insanely lifelike Morgan Freeman portrait painted on an iPad


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Mirko Voltolini, Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Colt Technology Services
The metaverse will generate exciting new opportunities for business and society. 71% of business executives in a recent Accenture survey said the metaverse would be good for the enterprise. 42% believe it will be ‘breakthrough’ or ‘transformational’. JP Morgan identified a market opportunity worth more than $1 trillion in its report “Opportunities in the metaverse”, while a year ago, Bloomberg Intelligence suggested it could be worth $800 billion by 2024. Meta heralds the metaverse as ‘the biggest opportunity for modern business since the creation of the Internet.’
But you would be forgiven for feeling – excuse the pun – a little ‘meh’ about it. Chances are we’ve all seen social posts from metaverse evangelists met with comments which range from sceptical sarcasm to unrepeatable criticism. What does it really mean for businesses and their customers – isn’t it just for gamers? And is it time to invest in those AR goggles?
What’s real, what’s virtual – and does it matter?
The metaverse extends human interactions into various digital worlds. It’s not just about a virtual utopia, accessible only to a few people with pockets deep enough to afford the latest smart glasses. We need to think beyond VR goggles and quirky avatars, to a place where digital and physical worlds interact and generate extraordinary, meaningful connections.
The metaverse (or multiverse as some prefer to call it) represents a multitude of potential applications and guises. It’s less Second Life 2003 (more on that later), and more ABBA Voyage, a seamless experience which blurs the boundaries of physical and digital as concert- goers interact in person with astonishingly-lifelike ABBA-tars – holograms worked on by 1000 visual effects artists. By the end of the show, fans are left questioning what’s real and what’s virtual. But here’s the important bit: it genuinely doesn’t matter. Concertgoers, just like users of digital technology everywhere, want the very best experience – an enriching, memorable, joyful one that makes them feel part of something special, relevant and ground-breaking. They don’t need to know the behind-the-scenes detail, or be consciously aware of what’s ‘real’ and what’s virtual. It’s about generating interactions and transactions. And – just as it has always been – the onus is on network operators and service providers to understand and optimise the technology available, to improve your customer experience and generate new sources of revenue.
A short history of the metaverse
Previous commercial interactions with the metaverse began around a decade ago. Second Life, launched in 2003, was one of the earliest incarnations of an alternative metaverse-type world to present commercial opportunities. Banks, entertainment companies and sports brands jostled for attention and sponsorship. By 2013, Second Life exceeded 36 million accounts (for context, Twitter has 450 million active users). Then things went a bit quiet. In 2017, Second Life’s makers – Linden Labs – released Sansar, a kind of connected group of virtual reality spaces, which sold to Wookey Projects in 2020 at a point when the world was in lockdown and much of our lives was spent online. Second Life enjoyed a resurgence around that time, driven by pandemic- related restrictions and by advancements in hyper-real game play, as well as the rise in the number of gamers (now reaching over 3 billion) and – of course – mobile access.
Growing pressure on digital infrastructure
But there’s another influence that has been – and will continue to be – critical in bringing the metaverse to life: the rise in networking technologies, and resulting access to fast, secure, affordable digital infrastructure. If you think about the metaverse as layers of technologies built on top of one another, core infrastructure is the foundation.
In 2003 – when Second Life was released – BT launched a 1Mbps ADSL service for homes. Now, more than 90% of homes with broadband in the UK, for example, take a super-fast package. Average speeds are 59.4Mbps. Interacting with the metaverse places incredible pressure on digital infrastructure, requiring Gigabit speeds; infrastructure with low latency and loss tolerance; and high levels of Distributed Edge cloud compute. Some of the applications requiring the highest Bitrate according to Credit Suisse, include Holograms (300 Mbps); VR (200 Mbps); AR (80 Mbps) and 4K video (20 Mbps).
The good news is that the infrastructure capabilities are already there to meet the increasing demands of the metaverse. In the early 2000s, first came the content, then the infrastructure: the cart before the horse, effectively. Now, the digital infrastructure is in place, it’s metaverse-ready and it’s better than ever.
Business opportunities in the metaverse
We’re already seeing business use cases for the metaverse across a number of sectors: manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture, for example. This is extending to education – interactive video classrooms and teleportation to museums, galleries and historic events; to retail, adding another level to ecommerce; to workforce development, creating a better sense of presence, shared physical spaces and improved collaboration; and to media, generating new forms of entertainment, with the ability to teleport into a remote concert or party, for example. Beyond these sectors, businesses are likely to extend to the metaverse to drive innovation; for digitally enhanced training and testing environments and to generate an enhanced customer experience.
Implications for businesses and customers
Thinking of the metaverse as a virtual testing environment – a channel for trialling new opportunity and creativity – makes it feel more relevant. There are a number of fundamentals that can help businesses and their clients prepare for the new AR/VR environment. For example, it’s time to start rethinking your:
- Customer experience. The metaverse brings new opportunities to create meaningful engagement with your customers and communities. Start thinking now about your customers’ journey and end-to-end experience. How can you connect with customers and prospects in the metaverse in a creative, memorable way that drives loyalty and deepens engagement? Could you invite them to events, trials, briefings or tours?
- Employee experience. New hiring practices, opportunities for employee engagement and collaborative working will be generated within the metaverse. 66% of businesses see the metaverse as the next stage of hybrid working, according to one study.
- Data. The metaverse will accelerate an exponential growth of machine-generated data. By 2025, more than 180 zettabytes of data is expected to be generated, consumed, copied and stored. That’s double the figure generated in 2021. If your business is already using or considering big data storage such as data lakes, you’re on the right lines.
- Digital infrastructure. Rigid contracts and physical connectivity have given way to powerful, consumption-based digital infrastructure over the past few years. The metaverse will demand the ability to scale up quickly and easily, with the flexibility to self-serve via a portal to add services, extend your network and adjust your bandwidth
- Access to smart analytics. Visibility into network performance will be critical, as the metaverse generates exponential bandwidth requirements. Smart analytics generate insights into the impact of different events on the network and can include intelligent alerts and recommendations for network changes.
- Security. One study found 91% of security experts are worried about data security in the metaverse. The vast amounts of highly sensitive data collected in the metaverse – such as biometric and facial recognition data – means robust, watertight infrastructure security is absolutely critical. Ensure you have protection, detection and response strategies in place – or work with a partner who does.
While the enormous potential of business in the metaverse is still to be discovered, one thing is or certain: the metaverse will help us all generate extraordinary connections.
Mirko Voltolini is VP of Strategy and Innovation at Colt. In this role, Mirko seeks to underpin Colt’s product capabilities with innovation and the latest emerging technologies in order to ensure Colt remains an industry leader. He works closely with the wider Strategy and Transformation team to help develop and implement Colt’s long term strategy. Formerly Head of Network On Demand, Mirko was responsible for the strategy, architecture and development of the network technologies enabling Colt software defined on demand network, the IT orchestration and monitoring capabilities and the management of the on demand product portfolio. He joined Colt in 2002 and has held several senior roles in the technical development and engineering areas. Prior to joining Colt Mirko worked at GTS/Ebone, Italtel and ICT Consulting, an independent telecom consultancy company. Mirko holds an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico of Milan.


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2010 was quite the interesting year for the tech industry and here on BGR, the smartphone was king. Adoption of Google’s Android OS skyrocketed, Microsoft is officially back in the smartphone game, Apple is leading with its iOS devices, RIM is working on a brand new OS to power tablets and handsets, HP acquired Palm, and “4G” finally fought its way to the tip of everyone’s tongue. We wanted to highlight some of BGR’s most popular smartphone-related stories of the year, and they each fell into three main categories: Android, BlackBerry and iPhone. Join us after the break for a run through, and a big thanks to all of the great readers who helped make BGR one of the top tech destinations in the world in 2010. Happy New Year!
Google sure isn’t slowing down as far as Android is concerned. At the start of 2010, the OS had plenty of growing up to do but as 2010 draws to a close, the OS is really coming into its own. The writing was on the wall, and we knew the second half of 2010 would belong to Google — especially at Verizon Wireless where a leaked roadmap was sprinkled with several exciting Android devices. The roadmap also reveal a great deal about Verizon’s plans for 4G, which lead to a bumpy road as we accused Verizon and other carriers of flaunting fake 4G. But LTE and similar technologies will still help a new breed of mobile devices move data faster than ever before, and Android will be at the forefront of this new wave. CES will kick off the new year with more Android -powered tablets than you can count, and gorgeous new devices like the HTC Thunderbolt 4G we scooped over the summer.
RIM’s BlackBerry platform received a major upgrade to version 6.0, and the first devices to get the new OS were the Torch, seen above, and a freaky clamshell device we took an exclusive look at in April. While the world waited for OS 6 to be released for the BlackBerry 9700, Waterloo’s finest was hard at work on the next-generation BlackBerry operating system, based on QNX, which will be its OS “for the next 10 years”. The first taste of RIM’s new OS came in the form of the company’s first Apple iPad rival, the BlackBerry PlayBook, which we explored in depth on video.
The single most popular smartphone model in the world evolved a great deal this year, thanks to a string of updates. First came a new operating system bump to OS 4.0, and then we got a hardware update in the form of the iPhone 4. The iPhone wasn’t without its string of controversies, though, and beyond the much reported (and blown out of proportion) “Antennagate” ordeal, we had a report of an iPhone 4 bursting into flames and injuring its owner. But that won’t stop Apple, of course, as it’s widely assumed that Verizon Wireless will be grabbing up Apple’s device early in the first quarter of 2011.
BGR Senior Staff Writer Zach Epstein contributed to this article


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I’ll keep it short this week as the market and media were a rerun of last week. The S&P 500 was down slightly and continues to work off overbought conditions. At the bottom of the chart, you can see that the momentum indicators have some room to go before fully working off the overbought condition from the last six weeks of buying. A move down to the centerline or a re-test of the previous all-time high at 3,035 are entirely possible. If the S&P 500 crosses below this level then a larger degree correction may be starting.
Volatility has been smashed these past few weeks as a reminder that the Fed continues to buy T-Bills to the tune of $60B monthly so it will be hard to fight this Fed into 2020.
Happy Thanksgiving and I’ll be back to you in a couple of weeks!
Chart of the Week!
Tesla unveiled its long-rumoured all electric pickup truck on Thursday. While the truck’s design certainly isn’t for everyone, the idea behind it is actually sound. “We need sustainable energy now. If we don’t have a pickup truck, we can’t solve it,” Musk said during the unveiling, adding that “the top three selling vehicles in America are pickup trucks.” (Statistia)
Economic & Central Banking Snippets
- The Fed was more positive about the US economic outlook at an October meeting than at a September meeting according to the minutes that were released this week. Officials discussed the economy’s resilience amid challenges and agreed taking the benchmark interest rate into negative territory would be a bad idea. “Uncertainties associated with trade tensions as well as geopolitical risks had eased somewhat, although they remained elevated,” the summary said. (MarketWatch)
- Japan’s exports in October fell 9.2% which makes the 11th straight month of declines. A fall in auto, steel and semiconductor exports led the way while exports to China were down by 10.3% and to the US by 11.4%. (Boock)
- The final November University of Michigan consumer confidence index was 96.8, better than the first print of 95.7 and the estimate of no change. It’s the 3rd straight month of increases and has almost gotten back the sharp August plunge when the tariff battle was full blown. (Boock Report)
- Saudi Aramco settled for a valuation of up to $1.7 trillion ahead of the debut of its shares in Riyadh. The world’s most profitable company said the base offer size will be 1.5% of its outstanding shares. (Investopedia)
- Ford unveiled the Mustang Mach-E SUV on Sunday. The all-electric car is the first update to the Mustang lineup in 55 years and will arrive late next year. With a starting price of almost $44,000, it will come in various versions with either a standard 75.7 kWh or extended-range 98.8 kWh lithium-ion battery and an EPA-estimated range (distance covered on a single charge) of up to 300 miles. (Investopedia)
- TikTok this year made history as China’s first social-media company to make it big in the U.S. Now, TikTok wants to shed its label as a Chinese brand as the company faces mounting scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators. (WSJ)
- Goldman Sachs sees the drag on the global economy from the trade war between the U.S. and China fading in 2020 as the bank forecasts that tariffs on American imports from the world’s second-largest economy have already peaked. (Bloomberg)
- The World Trade Organization’s Goods Trade Barometer recorded signs of a pickup in export orders, container shipping and automobile shipments, offset by weakness in airfreight, and shipments of raw materials and electronic components. The end result: International trade is likely to end the year having risen at the slowest pace since 2009. Trade flows have been weakened by a number of developments, including the U.S.-China trade war and a slowdown in the global automobile industry. (WSJ)
- Boeing has reportedly signed deals to sell 50 of its grounded 737 MAX 8 airplanes for close to $6 billion. One of the buyers, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana, has placed an order for 30 airplanes with a list price value of $3.6 billion, according to a statement. (WSJ)
- Film studios will soon be able to own theaters as the Justice Department looks to terminate rules that reduced their power and shaped the movie industry for decades. Signed in 1948 by the Justice Department and defendants, the “Paramount decrees” prohibited movie studios from owning theaters without prior court approval. It was meant to separate film distribution and exhibition and also outlawed monopolistic distribution practices like setting minimum prices for movie tickets and bundling multiple films into a single theater license. (Investopedia)
That is all for now until next week’s Market Update. Thank you for being a subscriber!
Paul J. McCarthy, III
President – Kisco Capital


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The Business Improvement District is raising money for new decorations, and stay tuned for Santa's arrival
CANANDAIGUA — As the old song goes, it’s beginning to look a lot like … well, it’s still looking more like Halloween than Christmas.
But when it is time, downtown Canandaigua will have a new, fresher look for the holidays — and a new plan for the arrival of Santa Claus.
Pending approval of City Council, the downtown Canandaigua Business Improvement District is looking to have Santa Claus set up shop at Santa’s House in Commons Park on Small Business Saturday, instead of his traditional arrival the day before, according to Denise Chaapel, manager of the BID.
The district also is kicking off a fundraising campaign to help purchase new holiday decorations for the newly installed decorative light poles in the city.
Each of the 25 “breath-taking” poles will have a new, 5-foot decorated wreath and holiday lights also will give downtown a festive feel. The BID raised money in 2007 for decorations, but those are well past their shelf life, Chaapel said.
Those who donate will be recognized throughout the downtown area, Chaapel said.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a giving community that takes ownership of our downtown and supports us,” Chaapel said.
The new-look decorations will be put up before Thanksgiving, on or around Nov. 11, Chaapel said.
The holiday light parade, which is modeled after events in other communities, would begin at roughly 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, and proceed on Main Street, from West Avenue to Bristol Street.
The parade will involve all sorts of community groups, with lights being the main theme. Santa will ride aboard the last vehicle in the parade, and the community tree-lighting ceremony will mark its end.
“This is all about community,” Chaapel said.
For more information on how to contribute for new holiday decorations, as well as for more information, visit www.downtowncanandaigua.com or call 585-396-0300. Checks can be sent to the downtown Business Improvement District office at 115 S. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424.


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- THE MAGAZINE
- CATEGORY FOCUS
- BEVERAGE R&D
Beverage Industry Magazine
View Archived Issues
The March 2013 Beverage Industry includes a cover story on Heineken USA, as well as articles about volume challenges, green coffee extracts, and an Up Close with C&C Cola. Check it out today!
Among the pumping bass, neon lighting and professional dancers at this year’s nightclub-themed National Distributors Conference for HEINEKEN USA, White Plains, N.Y., a subsidiary of Amsterdam-based Heineken International B.V., the company announced that, for the first time in five years, Heineken Lager is back in the black.
For cold and flu season, allergy season and everything in between, drug stores provide consumers with the advice and relief they need for their ailments.
The old saying goes, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” It’s not too hard to apply that saying to the U.S. beer market as analysts recognize the role different tiers and segments play in the category’s efforts to bring its case and dollar sales positioning back to pre-recession levels.
“It can be intimidating to walk down that wine aisle,” says Danny Brager, vice president of beverage alcohol for Nielsen, New York. “There are so many items, sometimes it’s difficult to navigate down the aisle because you just see this sea of bottles.”
As the city of Chicago prepares, yet again, to dye the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, many beer consumers are prepped with a small bottle of green food dye for their beers.
The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) will host its 60th annual BevTech meeting April 29-May 1 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Now in its 15th year, the annual Food Safety Summit is moving to a new location: Baltimore.
Manufacturers and operators of machinery and equipment for the brewing industry must develop a highly integrated approach to energy and media efficiency, starting from the delivery of raw materials, auxiliaries and resources through optimizing mashing and cooking processes, using compressed air, treating wastewater and developing sanitation systems.
The development of aloe drinks seems to be holding steady in the United States.
Like most other millennials, I’m completely attached to my mobile phone. Sometimes it’s weird to think that just 10 years ago I barely had any idea what a cell phone was or how to use it.
According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), in 2012 the United States sustained its place as the largest coffee market in the world, consuming approximately 450 million cups of coffee each day, says Nina Hughes-Likins, senior marketing manager with Synergy Flavors, Wauconda, Ill.
When I asked my friend’s 5-year-old son what I should write my column about this month, he suggested Scooby-Doo or Batman.
CMC-Kuhnke Inc. extended its line of can measurement and rating stations (MARS) with its new MARS-ENR.
As diesel prices continue to hover near $4 a gallon, it’s more important than ever for fleets to get the most out of every last drop of fuel purchased at the lowest possible cost.
Cyvex Nutrition, Irvine, Calif., announced that its Euro Black Currant extract has achieved self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status.
ProMat 2013, which took place Jan. 21-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, gave attendees an inside look at some of the newest supply chain solutions provided by material handling and logistics equipment manufacturers.
Whether it’s the growth of the wine, spirits and craft beer markets or the popularity of natural beverages, glass packaging manufacturers note that these trends are having a positive effect on this primary packaging material.
For beverage containers on the shelf, standing out tends to be the name of the game. To create a differentiated shelf presence, beverage packages often flaunt different shapes, materials and styles.
Superman might be faster than a speeding bullet, and The Flash might be able to run at near-light-speeds, but superheroes aren’t the only ones with the need for speed.
Utmost Brands Inc.’s GuS – Grown-up Soda unveiled new, brighter graphics on both its bottles and four-pack carriers.
Although Valentine’s Day has passed, stevia is still “whispering sweet nothings” into consumers’ ears. As a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that’s sweeter than sugar, stevia is capitalizing on consumer demand for natural and healthy beverages.


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In Berlin, the Ukraine NOW brand is awarded with one of the most prestigious Red Dot Design Awards in 2018. A corporate design Ukraine NOW for presentation in the world has won in Corporate Identity nomination with a decision made by a panel of 24 experts. The official awarding ceremony took place on October 26th.
Ukraine's only branding Ukraine NOW was supported by the Government on May 10, 2018. "This will be the brand to promote Ukraine all around the world", announced Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman.
The logo was offered by the Banda Agency Ukrainian creative agency, that got the Red Dot Agecny of the Year 2018, while the development and creation took place within the framework of the Commission on promotion of Ukraine under the Ministry of Information Policy with the participation of Ukrainian and foreign experts, the Information and Communication Department of of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers. The communication concept was prepared with the support and participation of experts from the British government. A series of focus groups were conducted in Warsaw, Berlin, London, and the message was tested in an international campaign on the CNN channel. There was also observed that Ukraine NOW is well perceived among audience in different parts of the world - Munich, Davos, Toronto, Frankfurt, London and Paris.
Within a few months the Ukraine NOW brand has become recognizable and confidently gaining ground for the promotion of Ukrainian goods and services in international markets, assures State Secretary of the Ministry of Information Policy Artem Bidenko.
"This is an important and pleasant victory for Ukraine, as it proves to the fact that we are moving in the right direction, that European values, standards and priorities are key. And, of course, this is a good lesson of perceverance for all of us - to withstand criticism from pseudo-experts and make solid progress towards victory", Artem Bidenko stressed after the awarding ceremony, adding that this achievement is a team work. According to him, the Red Dot Design Award for the visual branding of the country is a kind of Oscar in the world of design, which confirms the creative solution to popularize the country in the world.
"The award received by Ukraine NOW is, first of all, a story about the philosophy of branding. It is rather powerful and positive. The fact that this is not a visual business style, but namely the branding of the entire country, empowers it. Modern Ukrainians - they are about now. They are neither waiting, nor hesitating, nor being frightened. They are creating here and now. What is happening in Ukraine at this moment is the birth of a new nation. And we are happy that Ukraine NOW tells the world about it and will communicate it in the future", said Pavlo Vrzhesch, co-owner and creative director of the Banda Agency. By the way, the Agency was awarded the prestigious international Design Award for the development of the Eurovision-2017 logo as well.
"We have the honor, together with the Government, the Banda Agency, to receive the award for the branding of Ukraine for the first time in the years of independence" said Roksolana Stadnyk, Head of the Information and Communication Department of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to her, such a high award for national branding is the true recognition, recognition of government communications, and creative industry. Roksolana Stadnyk noted that among the key objectives of Ukraine NOW branding initiative is a demonstration of the country's achievements that could inspire the whole world and encourage people to visit, start a business, and invest in Ukraine. She stressed that the collaboration of the creative industry and the State has a huge potential and should be actively developed, in particular, cooperation on the branding of Ukraine is a good example for that.
It is worth noting that the Banda Agency this year has become the most creative agency in the world with the Red Dot Design Award 2018. This national creative agency won the nomination among hundreds of agencies, representatives from 45 countries that filed more than 8,000 applications. Among the awards received in Berlin by the advertising and design Banda Agency, which has been awarded as the Agency of the Year, is the Ukraine NOW project.
In order to provide a single style of presentation of the State in the world, the Government approved the Ukraine NOW brand on May 10, 2018. The logo was offered by the Ukrainian Banda Agency within the framework of the work of the Commission on promotion of Ukraine under the Ministry of Information Policy. The communication concept was prepared with the support and participation of experts from the British government. As branding was designed to promote international communication, a series of focus groups were conducted in Warsaw, Berlin, and London. Also, there was noted a good perception of Ukraine NOW by the audience in different parts of the world - Munich, Davos, Toronto, Frankfurt, London and Paris.
After approval by the Government, the logo began to gain popularity not only among government agencies, but also among private companies and citizens. Simultaneously, the work was carried out on informing about branding of Ukraine abroad. Thus, in particular, Ukraine NOW was presented in London during a round table Innovations and Opportunities devoted to discussing Ukraine's potential in the context of the global economy in July, and in October - as part of the Ukrainian Week business forum in London, at the conference Ukraine Now: Challenges and Opportunities in New York, at the Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in Sofia.
More business segments have began to get interested in the brand. The logo started to be used by companies, in particular, Vintage Web Production has created the image generator based on the new logo, a similar service was launched by Odesa online studio Solar Digital. These generators have been used by dozens thousands people both in Ukraine and abroad. Users began to compete in wit generating a variety of options, while companies and entrepreneurs commenced to apply it to promote their business communications. To the anniversary of the free-visa regime Ukrainian studio Indium Lab developed an application of augmented reality that designs the country's logo on the biometric passport of Ukrainians. At the office of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kyiv, the meeting of the Working Group on Hotel Business and Tourism on the new brand of Ukraine Ukraine NOW took place. In addition, Ukrainian Fashion Week (UFW) hosted the forum "Perspectives of Ukraine NOW branding in the projects of creative industries".
In late September, at the Government meeting, the Ministry of Information Policy introduced the Ukraine NOW recommendation brand book. The brand book includes detailed information about the logo: topical options, use of the context icon, rules for its construction, etc. There is also information on the rules for using the logo, fonts and colors. In addition, examples and rules of use, in particular, with state symbols, with subbrands are provided. Brand book (Ukrainian version)
It should be reminded that The Red Dot Award is an international design award that has been awarded for over 50 years. It is awarded in the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen. Each work is evaluated by an expert jury that does not know anything about designers. The jury assesses the various aspects of design work: quality, innovation, and the concept of a product that each particular design leaves. The awarding decision should be unanimous. Rewarded works are exhibited at the leading Red Dot Museum in Essen, Germany.


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MORE than £1m worth of counterfeit goods including Christian Louboutin shoes, Nike trainers and Urban Decay make-up were seized at East Midlands Airport in just three days.
Border Force officers staged the operation earlier this month and found 8,100 items.
The haul includes 750 fake Beats headphones worth about £75,000, 189 fake Louis Vuitton bags, worth around £151,200, and 260 fake Urban Decay make-up pallets, worth approximately £7,800.
Paul Harper, Border Force assistant director at EMA, said: “Border Force officers work every day of the year at ports and airports to stop counterfeit goods coming into the UK.
“People may think that buying a cheap product from a website or market stall is harmless, but the fact is that money from the sale of counterfeits often goes to fund organised crime.
“Anyone buying into this trade may be funding all sorts of illegal activities like drug smuggling, human trafficking, or child labour.
“People should also think about their own safety – counterfeit electrical goods like phone chargers and hair straighteners undergo none of the safety testing of genuine products, making them potentially lethal.
“Fake make-up can contain all sorts of nasty ingredients like arsenic, lead and cyanide.
“The criminal gangs making huge profits from counterfeiting are organised and savvy - constantly developing new products which they know will sell.
“Border Force’s efforts to stop them will continue and I urge members of the public to think twice before buying products which put money into their pockets.”
Since November, officers at EMA have seized more than 114,000 items, with an estimated retail value of more than £4.5m.
Border Force works with brands to establish whether goods are genuine.
If fake, goods are destroyed and rights holders decide whether to privately prosecute the importers.


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Welcome to the new edition of our 10 most talked-about TV ads on social media: State Farm’s Pizza Delivery saves the week. Otherwise, it is about time creatives start working their brains again…
Check them out! Any other great campaigns you spotted?
#1 – State Farm TV Spot, ‘Pizza Delivery’
#2 – Chewy.com TV Spot, ‘Tucker’s New Ride’
#3 – Bud Light Seltzer TV Spot, ‘Your Taste Buds Will Thank You’
#4 – 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid TV Spot, ‘Rocket’ Song by Woodkid
#5 – GEICO TV Spot, ‘HOA Cynthia Advises New Neighbors’
#6 – Progressive TV Spot, ‘Sadsquatch’
#7 – Discover Card Super Bowl 2020 TV Spot, ‘No We Don’t Charge Annual Fees’
#8 – Apoquel TV Spot, ‘Talking Dog’
#9 – GEICO TV Spot, ‘Morning Motivation With DJ Khaled’
#10 – GEICO TV Spot, ‘Idina Menzel Sings Personalized Theme Song’
This top 10 is provided by iSpot.tv, the leading real-time measurement tool for TV advertising. iSpot.tv aggregates all online video views, social actions, and search activity, to evaluate ad performance compared with its industry
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In a recent inewtrition LinkedIn poll, participants were asked to share their opinions on cultivated, or lab-grown, meat. The results of the poll, which garnered 23 votes, provide a glimpse into the diverse range of sentiments surrounding this emerging food technology.
According to the poll, 35% of respondents expressed excitement about cultivated meat, seeing it as a promising alternative to traditional livestock farming. Another 9% reported being curious, indicating a willingness to explore this novel food source. However, a significant portion of respondents remained sceptical, with 22% expressing reservations about cultivated meat. In line with the sceptics, another 35% of voters remained unconvinced about the merits of lab-grown meat, suggesting a degree of resistance to its adoption.
Perceived consumer barriers
These poll results align with a recently published report in MDPI, which delves into the perceived barriers to consumer acceptance of cultivated meat. The report highlights several factors that influence consumers’ attitudes towards this innovative food source.
One of the primary concerns voiced by consumers is the issue of naturalness. The study found that the perception of low naturalness in cultivated meat often triggers emotional objections related to disgust, health, and safety concerns. However, it is noteworthy that despite being considered less natural than insect protein, cultivated meat was still favoured over insects. This suggests that while naturalness is a factor, it does not single-handedly determine consumer acceptance.
Psychographic factors, such as sensitivity to food hygiene, neophobia (fear of new foods), and political conservative ideology, were identified as exceptions that tend to drive rejection of cultivated meat. Interestingly, the study found that low naturalness might be of greater concern to Europeans compared to Americans, highlighting potential cultural differences in consumer attitudes.
Safety and health concerns also play a significant role in shaping consumer acceptance. Consumers express anxiety regarding the long-term effects of consuming cultivated meat and call for transparent access to research and data on its safety and health benefits. To gain consumer confidence, it will be imperative for cultivated meat producers to demonstrate that their products are not only safe but also nutritionally comparable to conventional meat. Building consumer confidence through scientific engagement and the dissemination of information is crucial for fostering trust.
Nutritional concerns emerged as another barrier to acceptance, with some consumers perceiving cultivated meat as nutritionally inferior to conventional meat. Varying perceptions of healthiness among individuals contribute to this viewpoint, strengthening the importance of effectively communicating the nutritional benefits of cultivated meat.
Elevate your brand, delight your customers, and optimise well-being with inewtrition’s 48-page report and consultation package.
Consumer trust in the product, including trust in food companies and labelling strategies, was identified as a crucial factor. Distrust was found to be more prevalent in rural communities, where a personal connection to traditional farming practices may exist. Establishing regulatory bodies and addressing conspiratorial ideas can help alleviate distrust.
Neophobia, fear of the unknown, was highlighted as a key predictor of rejection in multiple regions. The unfamiliarity of cultivated meat, along with perceptions of low naturalness, may trigger emotional responses of disgust. However, these responses are considered independent of rational evaluations and could potentially diminish as familiarity increases over time.
Economic concerns also influence consumer acceptance. Anxiety surrounding the economic impact on conventional farming communities and the affordability of cultivated meat for higher-income households are factors that need to be addressed. Identifying sustainable solutions and showcasing the potential opportunities for agricultural stakeholders may alleviate economic anxieties.
What’s in a name?
To promote consumer acceptance, marketing strategies play a pivotal role. Nomenclature and terminology should be chosen carefully, as certain terms, such as “clean meat,” have shown to elicit higher acceptance rates compared to others. Additionally, providing additional information about personal benefits and framing cultivated meat in a manner similar to conventional products can positively impact consumer attitudes.
According to research conducted by Embold Research and commissioned by the Good Food Institute, the term “cultivated meat” has been validated as the preferred name for meat produced from animal cells. The research, which involved an online survey of 1,018 adults representative of U.S. national demographics, found that “cultivated meat” is both accurate and descriptive. It is also the most appealing term among consumers, with significantly more respondents expressing a personal preference for it over “cell-cultured meat.” Furthermore, 75% of companies in the industry currently use the term “cultivated meat.” While various terms have been used to describe this process, the research suggests that “cultivated meat” is the most widely accepted and suitable name for this emerging industry, although the final decision may ultimately be influenced by regulators and industry consensus.
What’s next for the industry?
McKinsey & Company researchers have predicted that cultivated meat is on track to become mainstream in the coming years. According to the article published in 2021, the market for lab-grown meat could reach an impressive $25 billion by the year 2030, contingent upon the aforementioned consumer acceptance factors. This projection underscores the growing recognition among industry experts that cultivated meat has the potential to revolutionise the food industry and meet the increasing demand for sustainable and ethical protein sources. Despite consumer sentiment, as technological advancements continue to enhance production processes, the inevitability of cultivated meat becoming a significant player in the global market becomes more apparent.
In conclusion, the results of the LinkedIn poll and recent studies demonstrate a range of consumer attitudes toward cultivated meat. While excitement and curiosity exist, scepticism and resistance also persist. Overcoming perceived barriers, such as addressing concerns related to naturalness, safety, nutrition, trust, and neophobia, will be crucial for fostering wider acceptance of cultivated meat. Through effective marketing strategies and transparent communication, the potential benefits of cultivated meat can be conveyed to consumers, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future of food.


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This morning Peter Cowhey, Senior Counselor to USTR Ambassador Ron Kirk, and Karen Mills, the Small Business Administrator, co-hosted a breakfast for a group of small business leaders attending the White House Jobs Conference. Both Cowhey and Administrator Mills focused their remarks and attention on the critical role of small businesses in generating job growth and jump-starting economic recovery.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises are by far the majority of U.S. exporters. As a group these exporters grow faster, add jobs faster, and pay higher wages. As such, expanding trade by small- and medium-sized business can be a critical tool of economic recovery.
To that end, Cowhey pointed to USTR's new efforts to bolster trade opportunities for small- and medium-sized businesses. Those efforts are aimed at empowering small- and medium-sized companies to sell more goods and services worldwide, ultimately creating more jobs here at home.
Specifically, under the new initiative USTR is:
Requesting an investigation by the International Trade Commission that will produce a clearer picture of America's small- and medium-sized exporters, their role in generating employment and economic activity in the United States, and the potential for increased trading opportunities to benefit these businesses and their workers.
Convening a USTR-wide working group to ensure that the lead trade agency's policymaking and enforcement efforts immediately seek to better serve small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Collaborating with federal trade promotion agencies like the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration that have complementary programs for export expansion among small- and medium-sized firms.