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Hill joins from US cable company A&E Networks. Based in New York, she joined as chief creative officer, international, in July 2015 before rising to chief marketing officer in September 2016. A&E's channels include Blaze - a joint venture with Sky - and Vice channel Viceland. It also owns 10% of Vice Media.
Before joining A&E, Hill spent 13 years at BBC Worldwide in a series of production and leadership roles, becoming chief brands officer in 2013.
She will oversee all marketing, communications, visual merchandising, CRM and customer service, digital, personal shopping and media campaigns and operations at the high-end retailer.
Harrods has also appointed Sandra Truesdale as head of digital marketing, and Jodie Blackbrough as head of online content.
Truesdale was previously head of digital marketing and CRM at Arcadia Group, while Blackbrough was head of brand and customer marketing at Harvey Nichols.
Alexander Wells-Greco, meanwhile, has been promoted from head of visual merchandising to creative visual director, and will ensure creative alignment across all in-store and experiential customer activity.
Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, said: "As we increasingly focus our business towards delivering unparalleled customer experience, Amanda’s vision as CMCO will be integral towards building our strategy going forward.
"Her experience and valuable insight into today’s modern consumer will help us build on Harrods' strong brand identity amongst our global customer base."
Deborah Bee was creative marketing director from 2014 to April 2017. In March this year, she joined Harvey Nichols as group creative and marketing director.
Hill added: "The modern luxury customer is changing at a rapid pace and at Harrods there is a constant focus on remaining one step ahead of what our customers expect."


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Here's a bit of good news for green advocates: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has handed over five units each of the Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and i-MiEV, as well as four EV quick charger units to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The turnover took place at the 1st ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit last week.
Intended for business use by DENR and other government agencies, the EVs have been delivered to fulfill a part of the memorandum of understanding between DENR and the Japanese automaker. Under said MOU, the electric cars will be part of a "joint study into environmental load reduction using electric technologies used in the environment-friendly models."
Mitsubishi wants to tap universities, electric companies and government administrations to be part the project, whose goal is to cut down carbon dioxide emissions and ease traffic jam in the country.
"The delivery of these vehicles and charger units is a vote of confidence in the electric technologies of Mitsubishi Motors," said MMC CEO Osamu Masuko. "We are pleased to be playing our part in helping reducing emissions in partnership with the DENR in the Philippines."
Powered by a 2.0-liter engine with Mitsubishi's plug-in EV system, the Outlander PHEV is said to have a fuel efficiency of 55.56km/L in hybrid mode. The i-MiEV, on the other hand, is no stranger to the Philippine government. Two test units of this electric car were loaned to the Department of Energy and Meralco in 2012 for examination and performance assessment on Metro Manila roads.

domain: news


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|UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is Going Forward With an iPhone and Android App For Coronavirus Contact Tracing|
UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is moving forward with an iPhone and Android program for coronavirus contact tracing. The government has refused to utilize the Apple-Google remedy to monitor the prospective connections of a COVID-19 patient. The Apple-Google program has robust built-in privacy provisions and does not store user information to a central server, as the UK government intends to do.
Coronavirus tracker apps – passport out of lockdown or unlawful infringement of privacy?
Governments around the world are scrambling for technological solutions which might facilitate a relaxation of the current lockdown measures. One idea which is being explored is the use of apps which can alert users when they have come into contact with someone who may be carrying the virus.Such apps have already been used by countries such as China, South Korea and Singapore in their responses to the virus, while Israel and Turkey have also announced plans to use smartphones to track infected individuals.
Apple adds new symptoms to coronavirus application
Apple has updated the coronavirus imaging application it released due to the outbreak. The new version includes updated symptom information and the latest recommendations from health institutions. The updated app also includes tips on how to mask and sterilize. Technology giants are also working on the fight against the new deadly coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), which has spread to the world and has killed 238,950 people since its emergence in the People’s Republic of China.
Aussie startup develops Covid-19 contact tracing for workplace
Australian IoT startup Leash It has evolved its Bluetooth-based asset tracking system, LeashView, to enable organisations to quickly identify the contacts of any staff member, contractor or visitor to their facility testing positive for Covid-19, and the areas they might have contaminated. Leash It founder and CEO, Tony Lotzof, said LeashView could greatly reduce the impact of a Covid-19 infection on a facility.
Bluetooth demand rises for tracking and in Chinese homes
Last year was a big one for the Bluetooth protocol. In 2019, more Bluetooth devices went into devices such as toys, trackers, and toothbrushes than went into laptops, computers, and phones. According to data from ABI Research collected on behalf of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), 4.2 billion Bluetooth devices were sold, 52% of which were earbuds, smart speakers, lights, clothing, etc.
Hospitals facing Covid-19 surges can track key equipment quickly and easily via data automation AC plug-in wireless hubs and Bluetooth stick-on beacons
During the Covid-19 crisis the ability to track scarce medical equipment assets such as ventilators and defibrillators in real time has never been more vital. Knowing the total number and location of all key assets helps keep them available when and where needed.
Bluetooth LE electric board allows watersport enthusiasts to ‘surf’ above water and control speed with handset
Nordic Semiconductor today announces that Tekt Industries, a Melbourne, Australia-based technology company, has selected Nordic’s nRF52832 Bluetooth® Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) System-on-Chip (SoC) to provide the wireless connectivity for its client’s ‘Fliteboard’ system.
Bluetooth 5.2/Bluetooth LE smart wearable helps owners keep track of pets via crowd location system
Nordic Semiconductor today announces that U.S.-based pet wearables startup, Huan, has selected Nordic’s nRF52840 Bluetooth® 5.2/Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) advanced multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC), and its nRF52810 Bluetooth LE SoC to provide the wireless connectivity for its ‘Huan Sensor’- and ‘Huan Tag’-based smart pet tracking system.
Apple and Google’s contact-tracing system risks your privacy, says EFF
UPDATED May 4 with additional information regarding location tracking and limitations on the number of apps that can use the Apple-Google system. This story was originally published April 30. The smartphone-based contact-tracing system being developed by Apple and Google carries substantial privacy risks, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said in a report last week.
How the NHS COVID-19 coronavirus contact tracing app will work
The UK government has developed a COVID-19 contact tracing app. Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed that the National Health Service’s digital innovation branch, NHSX, was working on an app that will help track the spread of COVID-19. The app is simply called NHS COVID-19.
How Google and Apple’s updated Contact Tracing terms compare with Aarogya Setu
Google and Apple have updated their terms of service for their contact tracing API (Application Protocol Interface), which allows governments to develop contact tracing apps, to limit the scope of their data collection, following worldwide criticism of the surveillance threat that contact tracing can pose. What’s also interesting, from a tech-politics perspective, is that this means that Google and Apple are imposing their norms, on what governments can and cannot do with their API.
GENIE Is Connecting Older Adults With Loved Ones, Near And Far
Imagine an easy to use communications tool that helps connect seniors with loved ones. That is the goal of the GENIE project. “GENIE is a communications portal that allows older adults, specifically those who may struggle with using modern-day technology, to connect and socialize with family members,” said Justine Henry, manager of research services with the Centre for Innovation and Research in Aging (CIRA).
AuthenTrend provides FIDO2-certified biometric authentication for RSA SecurID Access
AuthenTrend has joined the RSA Ready Technology Partner Program to deliver FIDO2-certified and U2F-compliant fingerprint biometrics-enabled ATKey authentication for RSA SecurID Access to secure SaaS applications and traditional enterprise solutions, the company announced.
Coronavirus: The Bluetooth dangers you need to be aware of
With the Prime Minister making the government’s COVIDSafe app a prerequisite for lifting Australia’s coronavirus restrictions, more than three million people have downloaded it. That’s about half the target of 40 per cent of the population needed to make it effective. While we’ve been assured the app is safe and doesn’t track your movements, some Australians remain wary about the app’s security.
Google and Apple Reveal How Covid-19 Alert Apps Might Look
Finding out that you’ve been exposed to a serious disease through a push notification may still seem like something out of dystopian science fiction. But the ingredients for that exact scenario will be baked into Google and Apple’s operating system in as soon as a matter of days. Now the two companies have shown not only how it will work, but how it could look—and how it’ll let you know if you’re at risk.
The Privacy Challenges of Digital Contact Tracing- An Excerpt
Contact tracing and privacy issues: Is it worth the risk to expose our data to contain coronavirus infections? The data itself is quite sensitive and would be a choice prize for future attackers. Apple and Google will make use of smartphones for contact tracing while collecting minimal data from users. Many stores use Bluetooth Beacons which track shoppers’ locations and may share that info.
CHIP Shot: Will Project Connected Home Over IP Get Us Onto The IoT Green?
Last December, the Zigbee Alliance launched “Project Connected Home over IP” (CHIP) with the ambitious goal of enabling plug-and-play consumer IoT devices. Led by Amazon, Apple and Google, Project CHIP aims to deliver specs and open source code later this year. Now that the initial press and analyst coverage has settled down, Project CHIP deserves a closer look because large, high profile companies only join together around an audacious goal like this one if they actually believe they can achieve it.
Why the Retail Industry Needs IoT More Than Ever
While essential businesses have been fortunate enough to continue operating, the coronavirus pandemic has put extra strain on top of an already struggling retail industry. Even before the virus, the emergence of online shopping threatened the livelihood of business owners. Combined with the pandemic-level impact of the coronavirus, opportunities for business seem bleak.
How IoT Can Help Control Pandemic
One of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals is preparedness to combat the spread of infectious diseases. This goal has never been as relevant as it is now during the Covid-19 pandemic. Technology plays a major role in beating infectious diseases, and the IoT is an important part of our technology arsenal. Cost reduction, autonomous and remote caregiving and diagnosis, as well as newly available patient data are just a few of the ways that the IoT is transforming healthcare.
How IoT can help fight COVID-19 battle
The world is fighting with novel coronavirus, healthcare officials are working tirelessly to provide the best facilities to prevent citizens from infection and to save those who are already infected. In such a scenario, technology innovation are steadily making a difference to healthcare systems. Countries are mustering all resources at their disposal and deploying cutting-edge technology to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and profile people at risk.
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British shops made their biggest jump in sales in more than three years in September, a survey of the retail sector shows, suggesting consumers are finding ways to cope with the squeeze on their incomes.
Accountancy firm BDO said on Friday that its High Street Sales Tracker found overall like-for-like store sales rose by an annual 2.9 per cent, adding to a smaller rise in August.
However, the increase was distorted by weak sales in September 2016, suggesting underlying growth remained slow.
Britain’s economy slowed sharply in the first half of 2017 as the rise in inflation since last year’s Brexit vote and modest pay growth squeezed spending power for households.
The Bank of England expects consumer demand to pick up. Three weeks ago, it said that most of its policymakers believed the first interest rate hike in a decade was likely to be needed in the coming months, if inflation pressures continued to build.
“Two consecutive months of positive growth will be a welcome relief for retailers following challenges seen in autumn in prior years,” Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said.
Last week, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said retail sales growth hit a two-year high in early September.
The CBI survey showed that its retail sales balance jumped to +42 from -10 in August, beating the expectations of City of London analysts.
These results followed strong August sales figures from the Office for National Statistics, showing a 1 per cent growth.
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Banking for humanity: making the digital economy work for allBy Hayden Harrison
“We will thrive when economies thrive; when they’re sustainable and inclusive,” said Michael Froman, Mastercard vice chairman and president of strategic growth. And this isn’t an exercise in corporate social responsibility alone, but making purpose and social impact on a commercially-sustainable basis part of a company’s long-term business strategy.
Froman was speaking in a fireside chat with Helen Milner OBE, group chief executive of Good Things Foundation, an international digital and social inclusion charity that operates in the UK and Australia. The Foundation is also part of Mastercard’s ‘Nobody in the dark’ coalition, which aims to support the 19.4 million Brits who feel in the dark about their financial futures.
Milner asked how, what with COVID-19 posing such an emergency, corporations don’t give into the immediate pressure to respond in a short-term way. “How do you make sure you’re focused on the long-term?” Froman responded with an acknowledgement that we have to do some of both. “There are people who are hurting right now and need support,” he said. Though our philanthropy and community relations activities Mastercard is among organizations that have made resources available to help people and small businesses that require them.
Mastercard’s longer-term commitments include the recent expansion of our financial inclusion goal to bring One Billion people and 50 million micro- and small-businesses into the digital economy by 2025, with support for 25 million women entrepreneurs. “We looked around [when we met our 500 million commitment nine months ahead of schedule] and thought ‘Now’s the time to double down’, because COVID really underscored the importance of being connected to the digital economy.”
There’s been a definite acceleration of the digital shift in recent months: to contactless; to ecommerce; to other means of managing our money online. “We’ve seen through COVID that tech adoption has grown exponentially, and companies that had a three-year digital transformation programme have delivered it in three weeks,” said Milner. “I think of my 90-year-old father who never engaged in e-commerce before; now he’s ordering everything online,” added Froman. He expects habits, once learned, will stick: “I don’t think he’ll go back to grocery stores as often as he once did.”
But despite fantastic progress on digital inclusion, there are still vast numbers of people in developed and developing economies who remain unserved. “On one hand there’s been such tremendous dispersion of technology,” Froman said. Mobile phones, for example, have facilitated widespread access to mobile money and associated financial services in developing economies. “On the other hand, you still have billions of people who don’t have access to the internet… and more than a billion people who have no formal identity.”
“What the digital economy needs to be inclusive is to give people who don’t have an identity the capacity to be identified in a digital world,” said Froman. This allows them to access the networks and tools they need to be successful wherever they are, whether that’s in rural Africa or a city in the UK or the US. “We call that the democratisation of productivity.”
And that goes for businesses too. “[Mastercard has] been partnering for some time now with Unilever and financial institutions in East Africa to digitise the relationship between a micro-merchant, their supplier and their local bank so the merchant can access credit [on stock purchases] for the first time.” That gives the micro merchant the opportunity to grow their business, hire more people, and support their families and their communities.
Those that remain digitally underserved can incur a premium to access financial services. “COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated the links between digital exclusion and poverty,” said Milner, when it comes to things like online savings, help with debt, and essential support. Data shows that the least digitally engaged are more likely to be paying higher household bills irrespective of income, household or age: “for utilities alone, they are spending an average of over £348 more per year.”
In the UK, 11.7 million people lack basic digital skills they need to transact safely and confidently online. In order for them to meaningfully participate in the digital economy and feel comfortable doing so we must also grow digital and financial literacy to allow them to take advantage of digital tools, said Froman.
Milner asked what role the financial community has to play in helping to educate people in the use of these tools. It’s important that there be training along with the technology, says Froman. For example, The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth partners with organisations around the world to support training programmes for micro merchants, farmers and other small business owners, on the use of digital tools and services. For example, how to manage credit for the first time.
“Everyone has a role to play: governments, the private sector, as well as the non-profit community,” he added. Each brings different attributes and capabilities to the table. Protectionism and nativism is not the answer. “If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that the wellbeing of the individual is integrally related to the wellbeing of others halfway around the world,” said Froman “This is a time for collaboration and partnerships,” agreed Milner.
“Collaboration… is how we reach the last mile.”


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China's consumer prices rose sharply last month, tying a decade-high monthly inflation rate of 6.5 percent, the government reported yesterday, adding to pressure for measures to cool a politically sensitive surge in food prices.
Food prices jumped 17.6 percent in October over the same month last year, while the price of pork, China's staple meat, soared 54.9 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The overall October inflation rate was higher than the 6.2 percent reported in September and matched August's 6.5 percent, the highest rate in 11 years.
"We expect more monetary tightening to rein in inflation, including further rate hikes," Lehman Bros economist Sun Mingchun (孫明春) said in a report to clients.
Inflation has surged in recent months because of double-digit increases in food prices that have been blamed on shortages of pork and other basic goods.
The food price spike is especially sensitive for the communist government because China's poor majority spends as much as one-third of its income on food.
A deputy central bank governor said last month that the government expects inflation for the full year to be 4.5 percent, overshooting the official target of 3 percent.
Inflation for non-food items last month was just 1.1 percent, the statistics bureau said.
Beijing froze prices of cooking oil and other basics in September, and is pressing farmers to raise more pigs, promising free vaccinations and other aid. Economists say price pressure should ease when a new grain crop is harvested and more pigs come to market.
Farmers had been reluctant to raise more pigs in part because of an outbreak of blue ear disease, which killed 70,000 animals and prompted the government to destroy thousands more. The government declared last week it had brought the outbreak under control.
An official of China's top planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, said last month that the government would consider investment curbs and other unspecified "measures to adjust prices."
The government also said last month that pork prices fell in August because of increased supplies. There was no immediate explanation yesterday for last month's sharp price increase.
Regulators raised state-set prices for diesel and gasoline by 10 percent on Nov. 1 in an effort to curb demand amid a fuel shortage. But the government said that this should add only 0.05 percentage points to the monthly inflation rate.
The government has raised interest rates several times this year to curb a boom in construction and investment that regulators worry may lead to financial problems. Economists say the inflation spike is a result of food shortages and has nothing to do with those concerns.


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Local funding slows as tech startups raise $95m offshore
Nigeria’s sluggish economic landscape is fast founding expression in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, as there appears to be a pause in local..
Carlyle Group invests $40 million in Wakanow.com
Global alternative asset manager, the Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG), has announced its investment of $40 million in Wakanow.com Limited (Wakanow).
EY wants digital revolution to address four major issues
Most companies across the globe are in the process of defining or executing a digital transformation in response to what has been tagged ‘fifth industrial revolution’ which is expected to significantly change the way we live, work and interact with one another. This technology- driven revolution is projected to be faster, more scalable and adopted…
Wakanow partners with IATA, airlines to reduce airfares
In a quest to reduce airfares for Nigerians and to ensure affordable airfares for customers, Wakanow has teamed up with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and key Airlines to actualise that.
Wakanow founder, Obinna Ekezie wins DOAMF 2018 charity golf tournament
Wakanow founder, Obinna Ekezie was crowned champion of the 2018 Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation Charity Golf Tournament (DOAMF) on Saturday at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.
Wakanow extends operations to UK
As part of her efforts for global expansion and in a bid to consolidate its foray into Europe, Wakanow, one of Africa’s leading online travel company, has announced plans to formally launch commercial operations in the UK.
Wakanow’s beach sports tourney thrills customers
It was a perfect mix of excitement and networking last weekend when Nigeria’s first online travel company, Wakanow, launched its much-anticipated Beach Sports Series themed ...
Wakanow seals ticketing deal with UAE’s largest resort
Africa's leading travel portal, Wakanow, has entered into a business agreement with Dubai Parks and Resorts, becoming its largest African fulfilling partner for ticket sales.
Where will you say “I do” in Africa?
Just few years ago, if you asked an average African where they would like to spend their next holiday, you were likely to get top European destinations as an answer.


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Owners of Fainting Goat Spirits ran into some supply chain issues with the bottles and caps, but are now ready to release a second batch of bourbon Saturday.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Supply chain problems are hurting many different industries – including a business, right here in Greensboro.
Owners of Fainting Goat Spirits, a distillery on Lewis Street downtown, said they recently ran into some unforeseen issues – not with the liquor itself, but rather, the way they bottle it.
“We actually had to go and get bottles sent from France for a second batch of bourbon and our whiskeys that we’re putting out,” said Bill Norman, “It’s a very similar bottle, but we never thought that we would have to scramble to do that.”
Minor things they’d normally order a couple weeks out, are now tough to come by, unless they order months in advance. Norman and his son, Andrew, said they’re waiting for a delivery of more bottle tops, expected to arrive just a day before they’re to be sold.
“It’s bottles, it’s caps, it’s labels, it’s neck tags, it’s all of the paraphernalia that comes with it that we would have just never given a thought to. We would’ve assumed it would always be there,” he said.
This Saturday, Norman expects a crowd to come by – lining up even before they open – to snag the latest batch of bourbon.
“This will be our second batch of CB Fisher’s bottled in bond bourbon,” he explained, “We will have about 1,200 bottles that will probably be gone by Saturday evening.”
He said the first batch, which came out at the end of 2020, sold very quickly. A third batch will likely be released in September or October 2021.


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Political statements were aplenty at New York fashion week this season, most notably in the forms of Planned Parenthood pins, feminist slogan tees, and even the hijab.
Fashion is no stranger to self-expression. After possibly the most charged election cycle in recent history, designers and models alike have leveraged the runway as a platform to voice their opinions. At NYFW, designer Mara Hoffman enlisted Muslim-American activist Linda Sarsour to open her show, while Somalian-American model Halima Aden made her runway debut at Yeezy Season 5. The hijab—a symbol of faith—has been adopted as one of resistance against the current administration’s anti-immigration policy and xenophobic rhetoric. But is fashion's embrace of the movement a passing fad, influenced by current events, or is it a sign of true inclusivity of Muslims in the beauty and fashion industries?
“I think the industry was already heading in the direction [of inclusivity], the political climate just sped up the pace this season,” says Maria Alia, a Muslim influencer and a face of Uniqlo’s spring campaign who attended NYFW for the third time.


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Lyons, Daniel, Newsweek
Byline: Daniel Lyons
It's Apple vs. Google in the battle over the future of computing.
When Steve Jobs took the stage for his keynote address at Apple's annual developers conference last week, he had plenty to say about the new iPhonea4, calling it "the most precise, beautiful thing we've ever designed." He waxed on about its mind-blowing video-chat features and its gorgeous display--even though the Wi-Fi connection failed during his demo. He didn't neglect the iPad, either, pointing out that Apple has sold 2amillion in two months--or about one every three seconds. But Jobs didn't say one word about the venerable old Mac, even though the conference used to be the place where Apple showed off the new features coming to its line of computers.
It's a sign of the times. Right now the computer industry is undergoing one of its periodic upheavals in which an aging platform is swept away and replaced by something newer, cheaper, and better. In this case, the victim is the personal computer. Just as mainframes gave way to minicomputers and minicomputers gave way to PCs, the PC is about to be eclipsed by mobile devices. Apple's new smash-hit product, the iPad, might seem like a toy, but soon it and other mobile devices will become our primary computers, replacing laptops and even desktop machines.
And just like the last time around, a battle is brewing to see which company will rule the industry. During the PC wars, Microsoft triumphed, ending up with 90 percent market share, which left Apple with table scraps. In mobile, Jobs sees a shot at redemption. But this time he faces a new opponent, Google, whose mobile operating system, called Android, has emerged as the biggest rival to Apple.
As the presence of Google indicates, it's not just the machines that are changing: the industry's entire business model has been transformed. Instead of laying out big bucks for a huge personal computer that can store hundreds of gigabytes of data, we'll end up using lots of simple, inexpensive mobile devices--appliances, really--to manage photos and videos and music that will be stored online, somewhere out on the Internet cloud. For computer makers, the money will be made not just in the device itself but also in the applications and content and services that can be sold around it, as well as the advertising that can be delivered through those shiny little screens. "The times they are a-changin'," Jobs told a blogger in a recent e-mail exchange, "and some traditional PC folks feel like their world is slipping away. It is."
Laptops and desktops aren't going away overnight, of course. But a glance at Apple's revenue by product line shows just how much the times have already changed. Sales of Macs are slowing while revenue from the iPhone is booming, up from $631amillion in 2007 to an estimated $21abillion this year. Next year, mobile devices will represent roughly half of Apple's total business--and deliver twice the sales of Macs, according to RBC Capital Markets. …


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Activision and Blizzard joined forces in 2007, but the two publishers have largely operated as separate entities. However, according to a Kotaku report, a handful of employees who recently left Blizzard said Activision Blizzard is beginning to exert greater influence on the creators behind games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch.
The concerns stem in part from earlier this year, when Activision Blizzard senior VP of investor relations Amrita Ahuja took on the role of CFO at Blizzard. In a company-wide meeting shortly after Ahuja's appointment, she told employees that Blizzard was looking to save money this year. This was a very different message than the employees were used to hearing, according to some former Blizzard workers.
That sentiment has continued to be a point of emphasis since the all-hands meeting. While one employee said their team was still looking to bring on more people, they were being told to save money everywhere else.
"You would've thought Blizzard was going under and we had no money," one former Blizzard employee told Kotaku. "The way every little thing was being scrutinized from a spend perspective. That's obviously not the case. But this was the very first time I ever heard, 'We need to show growth.' That was just so incredibly disheartening for me."
(That employee said they left the company partly due to concerns over Activision's influence on Blizzard operations.)
Activision Blizzard has had some challenges of late. While Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has done well, the Destiny franchise has been underperforming and its share price has taken several hits. As for the Blizzard side of the business, after scoring a hit with Overwatch in 2016, the pipeline of new products has been slim, and monthly active users (a key engagement metric for Activision Blizzard) have either stagnated or declined for the last four quarters.
As one former Blizzard staffer put it, "We are being told to spend less at every corner because we have no new IP. Because Overwatch set this bar of how much we could earn in a single year, there's a ton of pressure from Activision to get shit moving. They want something to show shareholders."
The situation could be further complicated by last month's departure of Blizzard co-founder and CEO Mike Morhaime. That said, Morhaime was succeeded by Blizzard veteran J. Allen Brack at the same time two more developers with deep Blizzard roots were added to the executive leadership team.


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Reddit is in a standoff with a couple of of its shoppers. The platform presented plans to limit get right to use to its API for third-party developers, charging for get right to use to knowledge.
The decision to value is an effort to increase profitability for the platform, which is making in a position for a possible IPO. Alternatively, the change might simply further derail the company’s ability to go public.
According to some volunteer moderators (who’re vital to Reddit’s running sort), the change will price out third-party techniques that help them facilitate conversations on the platform. In response, over 8k subreddits have develop into personal since June 12, essentially going dark and causing a 6.6% site visitors dip for the online dialogue board.
A lot of moderators envisage to shutter their subreddits for two days, however, masses of Reddit pages keep offline. Reddit’s CEO has continued to stand company throughout the company’s answer to limit get right to use to its API, leaving the highest of the strike in limbo.
The events have already impacted Reddit’s popularity, the credibility of content material subject matter on its forums, and consider with its individual base. The company’s courting with advertisers may well be next.
How Advertisers Are Drawing close to the Reddit Blackout
Selling is this present day the primary income driving force for Reddit, and if marketers switch bucks transparent of the platform en masse, it might function problems for the company’s bottom line.
With reference to 49% of Reddit’s website online guests comes from herbal search, and having a sizeable portion of content material subject matter down can prohibit the reach of ads working on the web page. With such a large amount of unknowns about the future of Reddit, and whether or not or no longer ads on the platform can produce a vital ROI, naturally, advertisers are elevating considerations over working campaigns on the platform.
In line with Digiday, some firms have already begun moving bucks transparent of Reddit in desire of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Quora. If the standoff continues, Reddit isn’t the only company that may lose ad bucks — the third-party apps that rely on its API might simply lose out on selling income as neatly.
Marketers working selling campaigns on the ones platforms should be carefully monitoring potency, and the status of subreddits which can be associated with their core audience noting how advertising and marketing marketing campaign goals could also be impacted.
It’s moreover value bringing up that the dip in herbal website online guests to Reddit can impact herbal website online guests to other web sites. For those who rely on subreddits to force website online guests and awareness to their web sites and standard campaigns, web website online guests should be carefully watched to account for any dips that may be attributed to the strike.
After all, the events surrounding Reddit highlight the importance of having a numerous portfolio of marketing platforms and website online guests sources to account for ongoing events previous the regulate of marketers.


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The Balcatta Recycling Centre has extended its offerings and now has a new native plant and garden goods section!
This new garden centre includes many recycled items from garden tools, wheel barrows, sand, gnomes, water features and much more! The garden centre has a variety of native plants on offer from tubestock to potted plants and is grown by Workpower’s Wholesale Nursery.
Every year, the Nursery grows thousands of plants and for those that don’t sell, were often discarded to make way for new stock. Now these great natives will get a second lease on life!
Go for a visit at the Balcatta Recycling Centre for your next garden project, the plants are a snap at $5.50 for potted plants and $2.00 for tube stock.
Check out the Facebook page for opening hours!


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Greenpeace activists might have had a case if they were protesting about the biosecurity risks from importing palm kernel extract.
But in undertaking an act of piracy and attacking Fonterra they had the wrong target for the wrong reasons.
Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson was right to call it an act of piracy.
“I fully respect the freedom of Greenpeace to protest legally but they have crossed the line by interfering with legal commerce and free navigation on the high seas.
“That’s why the Police need to take this act of piracy, or sea-robbery, very seriously and prosecute those activists to the full extent of the law. Those activists need to be sent a message that is unequivocal and clear. They need to be made an example of.
“It’s also economic treason designed to damage New Zealand’s reputation abroad. Greenpeace is actually anti-farming and these new tactics show how low they are prepared to go.
Nicolson pointed out PKE is a waste by-product of a waste by-product, derived from producing palm oil we eat or consume daily.
This point was made by Feds’ biosecurity spokesman John Hartnell in an earlier media release:
“Palm kernel extract is a waste by-product left over from the processing of palm oil for consumer products. I can’t state that enough, palm kernel is a waste by-product.
“Palm kernel has so little commercial value that if it isn’t recycled into supplementary feed, it is burnt. That doesn’t sound too great for either climate change or the environment. . .
“Palm plantations aren’t created just to generate a waste by-product, just as newspapers don’t exist solely to support recycling.
Farming is a much easier target than the people who buy potato chips and all the other food which contains palm oil and Nicolson correctly points out:
“Greenpeace knows it cannot win the argument on logic so has resorted to illegal means to express its lies. It’s a despicable new tactic that has Greenpeace’s loathing of farming written all over that ship.
Fonterra said the ship wasn’t carrying any feed bound for its stores and that it only uses pke from sustainable sources.
The 14 activists who illegally boarded the ship have been arrested.


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We are excited to introduce MaxOut Strength Studios In New York at the International Franchise Expo, June 18-20.
As part of the elite companies selected to participate in this year’s expo, MaxOut will offer interested franchisees the opportunity to learn more about what the organization has to offer and the chance to get involved with the rapidly expanding strength training franchise chain. Attendees will be entered in a drawing to win a FREE iPad Air at booth 1139.
What is MaxOut?
MaxOut is currently offering franchises for the establishment, development, and operation of a MaxOut Strength Studio focused on providing a multi-faceted mind, body and soul training development program for teens and young adults. Including proprietary, counter weight towers that integrate with traditional exercise machines and enable weight variations for both the down (eccentric) and up (concentric) portion of every repetition and a comprehensive, critically-acclaimed Leadership and Mentorship Program (LAMP), MaxOut is positioned to help teens and young adults help achieve their life goals.
“MaxOut is different than any other fitness studio or gym on the market today,” said Jason Griggs, president and chief executive officer of MaxOut Franchising and MaxOut Strength Systems. “Anyone can build a business that helps clients get stronger physically but we have something unique; we are helping teens and young adults become stronger both mentally and physically, which are skills they will take them with them through life. That’s why the response to our business model has been so overwhelmingly positive. Because owners really feel like they are making a difference in others’ lives.”
This year marks MaxOut’s first appearance at the IFE, which is the largest franchise expo in the country and is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with potential franchisees to discuss all aspects of the industry. MaxOut will be featured at booth #1139 and Griggs as well as Paul Segreto, CEO, of Franchise Foundry, will be available to answer questions about the MaxOut opportunity.
The IFE will include more than 450 of the top franchises in the world from June 18-June 20. The event will be held at The Javitz Center located at11th Avenue and 36th Street
New York, NY 10001.
For more information, and registration
Twitter -> @fran_foundry
Facebook -> FranchiseFoundry
Google Plus – > +FranchiseFoundry
LinkedIn -> FranchiseFoundry
YouTube -> FranchiseFoundry


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Last November, the OLED technologist opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, mere blocks away from the headquarters of Samsung SDI and LG Display
Today, the company announced a new office in the Minato district of Tokyo, Japan. Located near the Imperial Palace, that district is a hotbed of business and diplomacy -- and it's where you'll find the headquarters of some of today's largest display panel builders including Sony
Sony's plans for OLED production lines are murky at best, while Toshiba has put a freeze on its OLED ambitions to refocus on LCD panels for the time being. Universal Display wouldn't go to the trouble and expense -- this is a pricey neighborhood, folks! -- to open this new office unless there's business to be done, and easy access to the OLED leader's expertise might be the nudge needed to get things moving.
Even after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March, Japan remains a vibrant and vital part of the global electronics trade. Universal Display just opened a bag full of potential OLED manufacturers, and thanks to high demand but low supply, production capacity is the name of the OLED game. Very smart.
Fool contributor Anders Bylund holds no position in any of the companies discussed here. Universal Display is a Motley Fool Rule Breakers recommendation. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. You can check out Anders' holdings and a concise bio if you like, and The Motley Fool is investors writing for investors.


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April Fools' Day was a month ago, but KFC is only just now announcing that it has made two edible nail polishes that bring the classic tagline, "Finger Lickin' Good," grossly to life.
Ogilvy & Mather worked with food technologists at McCormick, the spice company that provides KFC's secret mix of 11 secret herbs and spices, to crate the nail polishes for KFC Hong Kong. The polish flavors are sourced from natural ingredients and based on the brand's two favorite recipes, Original and Hot & Spicy.
So, yes, it tastes like chicken—at least, the coated stuff KFC sells.
"To use, consumers simply apply and dry like regular nail polish, and then lick—again and again and again," the brand said in a statement.
"The recipe for our edible nail polish is unique and was specifically designed to hold the flavor, but to also dry with a glossy coat similar to normal nail polish," says Ogilvy creative director John Koay. "This campaign is designed to be intriguing and fun to increase excitement around the KFC brand in Hong Kong."
KFC really did make this stuff—thus, it's not exactly a gag. But it's not mass producing it. At least not yet. The nail polishes are packaged in a designer bottle and box and have been teased on social media in recent weeks.
The brand has released on online music video around the project, too, and is inviting Hong Kongers to choose the best flavor to go into mass production.
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather
Chief Creative Officer: Reed Collins
Creative Directors: John Koay, Matt Nisbet
Art Director: Elaine Li
Copywriters: Buji Ng, Kerwin Choy
Vice President Asia-Pacific: Soames Hines
General Manager: Gladys Wong
Business Director: Penny Chow
Associate Account Directors: Janice Ho, Sincere Ng
Account Executive: Stella Fung
Senior Producer: Mikyung Kim
Producer: Jayden Wong
Managing Director - Social: Jason Fashade
Senior Strategist: Michael Wong
Community Manager: Pammy Li
PR Senior Associate Michel Wong
PR Senior Consultant: Corwin Wong
Design agency: Brand Union
Creative Director: Andy Reynolds
Designer: Kitty Chan
Production Company: Mutual Workshop
Director: Helen Clemens
Producer: Cyrus Lai
Photographer: Kimhoo So
Composer: Lindsay Jehan
Music Company: Song Zu


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Jane Lu’s right-hand woman, Alex Durkin, is leaving Showpo after seven years to start her own business.
One of the first outside hires to join Showpo in 2012, Durkin saw the retailer evolve from a physical store selling party outfits under the name Show Pony, to an online-only fashion brand with a team of more than 150 people and annual sales approaching $100 million.
During her tenure, Durkin helped manage three major website rebuilds, introduced a new warehouse management operations system, oversaw a complete rebrand of the business and was eventually named general manager of the fast growing company.
But now she is looking to pursue a venture of her own.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I am currently in the process of working through different business models for my next venture which will not necessarily be in fashion, or a physical product for that matter – so watch this space,” Durkin told Inside Retail.
Big shoes to fill
Durkin has been preparing to depart Showpo for the past year to ensure she leaves the business in as strong a position as possible. She discussed her plans with Lu along the way.
“It’s been a busy year aligning strategy and ensuring that the key people were in place,” she said.
Showpo will not immediately replace Durkin, who plans to leave next month, though Lu said she is currently working through some options.
“They’re big shoes to fill,” Lu said.
“She has not only helped grow the team and the business, but she has also been an incredible mentor and friend that has helped me develop personally and professionally as well.”
Lu credited Durkin with putting the systems and processes in place that have enabled Showpo to grow to the size it is today, while Durkin said she has learned many valuable lessons from Lu’s leadership.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through the business is success is all about people. Getting the right people, doing the right things at the right time,” she said.


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ILMxLAB, a Lucasfilm company working on Star Wars projects for VR, recently revealed their newest project on their YouTube channel. The official trailer shows us what will be a new “series” of VR stories, focused around the iconic character of Darth Vader. Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – Episode I is being developed by Oculus Studios, and will take players into a new immersive experience in the Star Wars universe.
The trailer shows Darth Vader capturing players for unknown purposes, and features Vader’s fortress on the planet Mustafar – as seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. From this, we can speculate that you will be able to see more of the Sith Lord’s castle, as well as take part in a Vader-centric story in the Star Wars canon. Scheduled for release on the Oculus Quest; a new standalone VR headset; in 2019, Vader Immortal has the potential to be an exciting addition to the lore, while demonstrating how far ILMxLAB have managed to push their graphical technologies.


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Businesses shun soup kitchen idea
ABSOLUTELY ridiculous: this was the general response from East St business owners at the suggestion of a soup kitchen being opened in Rockhampton’s central business district.
Local businessman Ken Hay told The Bully this week that he would open a soup kitchen in East Street to solve the problems highlighted by Margaret Strelow’s application to run a community cafe.
He said East Street would be the best place because it had CCTV cameras for security.
Like business owners around Mrs Strelow’s proposed development site, those in East Street aren’t too fussed on the idea either.
“We don’t want that sort of thing in the mall,” said Joe Garvey of Rockhampton Optical.
“We don’t want drunks and druggos and God knows what else stumbling around. We can’t get them out of the CBD as it is. The last thing we need to do is attract more of them.”
Mark Bunt of Mark Bunt Menswear, said he thought the whole idea was ridiculous.
“It won’t happen and it can’t happen,” Mr Bunt said.
“There’s not a council that would allow that to happen anyway.”
Laurena Heyes, owner of She’s All That, agreed, calling the idea “absolutely ridiculous”.
“I’d be totally against it,” Ms Heyes said.
“The mall is just sort of starting to be a place where people enjoy coming. Something like that would probably put off a lot of customers.”
Bully readers shared similar views on the paper’s website, posting comments against the proposal.
One poster supported Ken though, calling on other businesses to support the idea.


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NEW YORK (AP) — McGraw-Hill is selling its education business to private equity firm Apollo Global Management for $2.5 billion.
As part of the deal, McGraw-Hill will get $250 million in senior debt issued by Apollo at an annual interest rate of 8.5 percent.
The sale is expected to close in late 2012 or early 2013. At that time, The McGraw-Hill Cos. will be renamed McGraw Hill Financial. It expects 2012 revenue of about $4.4 billion.
Apollo will get its digital and traditional textbook business and other assets.
McGraw-Hill said the sale will allow it to focus on growing brands such as Standard & Poor's, S&P Capital IQ and J.D. Power and Associates.
The company plans to use the proceeds from the sale to fund its stock buyback program, make acquisitions and pay off debt.


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Ye and Adidas have been working together since 2013 on his super expensive line of shoes, Yeezy
New Delhi: Just a few days after rapper Kanye West who now goes by the name Ye, challenged the German Athleisure wear company, Adidas to fire him after his weeklong barrage of anti-Semitic insults aired on social media and interviews with major media outlets.
Earlier this month in a conversation on the Drink Champ’s podcast, Ye said “I can say anti-Semitics—and Adidas cannot drop me.”
Ye and Adidas have been working together since 2013 on his super expensive line of shoes, Yeezy.
According to investment bank Cowen, although Adidas used to make 4% to 8% of its sales from Yeezy products, this deal had more significance for Ye as it amounted to $1.5billion of his net worth.
After Ye’s harsh insults surfaced on social media, a lot of pressure started building up on Adidas to sever ties with him.
Although the brand had remained silent for weeks, it decided to break the silence and speak up on the issue on October 6th. The brand said its partnership with Ye is ‘under review.’
Pressure increased over the brand after an image of a banner draped over a Los Angeles highway surfaced over the weekend. The banner read “Kanye was right about the Jews” accompanied by some white supremacists giving Nazi salutes to the drivers below. These supremacists were referring to Ye’s “death con 3 on Jewish people” the tweet which got his Twitter account locked and he was later on also blocked from Instagram. Moreover, thousands of users urged Adidas to drop Ye.
After a long silence, Adidas finally broke their relationship with Ye. This action will cost them dearly, but Ye will suffer considerably more.
“Adidas does not tolerate anti-Semitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” Adidas wrote in a press release.
Additionally, the brand wrote “After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.”
And now that Adidas and Ye are no longer in partnership, Ye is no longer a billionaire.


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While this production continues, a product that has never been produced in the medical field will be produced in Konya in a short time.
One of the four brands in Turkey Konya, writes poetry Berika Medical Company, a major investment in preparation. The company, which is currently producing syringes with a significant capacity, will produce "Medical Serum Set" in an area of 15 thousand square meters. R&D tests have been completed.
Everything is ready. In my meeting with the company's General Manager Hayrettin Şeker, he said that the whole video is ready. a product that is not produced in Turkey will enter the market recently with the locals. Work has begun on the investment, which will employ at least 200 and over 30 million TL. They set a completion target for September 2021.
After such an investment would have prevented a serious import in Turkey. Until today, products that have always been out of the country will now be delivered to hospitals quoted from Konya.
The production is done in the medical sense of Konya, this industry is moving towards becoming one of the leading cities in Turkey.


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Twinsburg, OH – January 19, 2001 | GED, the leader in providing automated systems to the insulating glass fabrication industry, announces the promotions of Ron Auletta to the position of President, Bob Misencik to Director of Customer Service, and the appointment of Pete Chojnacki to the Director of Marketing.
Ron Auletta joined GED in December, 1994 as the Director of Manufacturing. He successfully implemented the principles of Lean Manufacturing at GED, which in turn doubled its capacity to manufacture state-of-the-art systems for the IG industry. Most recently he held the title of Vice President & General Manager. As President, Auletta’s focus going forward will be to acquire other businesses and integrate them into GED. Auletta, a resident of Broadview Heights, is a graduate of Cleveland State University where he is currently completing his M.B.A.
Building on GED’s tradition of superior customer service in the fenestration industry, Bob Misencik has been promoted to Director of Customer Service. Since joining GED in 1994 as Director of Quality Assurance, Misencik lead the drive to improve GED’s product quality and reliability, and to earn ISO registration. In 1996, GED became the first North American equipment manufacturer in the insulating glass industry to achieve certification for ISO 9001; ANSI/ASQC Q9001. As Director of Customer Service, Misencik is now seeing first-hand the results of his quality system initiatives as it affects our customers. He received his Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and his M.S.I.E. in Engineering Management from Cleveland State University. and is a resident of Mentor.
Pete Chonjacki has been appointed Director of Marketing at GED, where he will lead the Marketing Group in support of continued growth and achievement of corporate goals. Chonjacki’s marketing experience includes over fourteen years in the automotive, communications technology and consumer products areas. He brings to GED a new level of market analysis, product positioning, product development, strategic marketing and customer service awareness. Chojnacki received his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Indiana University, his M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and is a resident of Hudson.
These promotions at GED support GED’s on-going commitment to being the industry leader in insulating glass fabrication equipment.


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Tesla allowed to collect electric cars in ChinaOctober 17, 2019
The construction of its new plant in southern China, the American company Tesla began in January this year
Chinese authorities have added Tesla to the government’s list of approved automakers. This means that the Americans have received approval for the assembly of their electric cars in this country, reports Reuters. According to him, the corresponding certificate has already been issued by Tesla. Now the company can begin production of its cars in China at any time.
The construction of its plant in southern China, the American company Tesla began in January this year. The company will be called Gigafactory. This is Tesla’s first non-US plant.
Initially, Tesla Model 3 sedans and new Tesla Model Y crossovers will begin to roll off the assembly line. It is expected that the assembly of the first electric cars will begin at the end of this year. Thanks to the plant, the American company will be able to sell its products in China without paying a tariff of 25%.
For several years now, the Chinese authorities have been contributing in every way to the development of the domestic electric car market due to the very difficult environmental situation in large cities. In addition, the government supports local producers so that they can compete with foreign companies.
Tesla Motors, focused on the production of electric vehicles, was founded in 2003. Since 2008, it has been supplying the Tesla Roadster sports car to the market. In 2012, the company introduced the Model S sedan. Manufacturer headquarters are located in Palo Alto, California. The company employs more than two thousand people.
- New footage from the tests of the powerful Chevrolet Corvette Z06 hit the network
- The compact crossover Hyundai Venue has surpassed the sales of the Suzuki Vitara Brezza
- Bentley posted record quarterly sales. The rich still need new toys
- Cupra to launch D28 Formentor motorboat in Formentor VZ5 crossover style
- Bentley unveils new Continental GT Speed with rear steering system


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Standard Bank has signed an agreement with CCRManager Pte Ltd, a global trade FinTech company, joining their global innovative electronic platform as the first member bank in Africa.
“We are delighted to have joined CCRManager’s distribution platform, which offers an automated, fast and transparent platform for trade risk distribution and participation,” says Vinod Madhavan, Group Head of Trade for Standard Bank.
“As the first African bank to have joined this network, this presents us with many opportunities, including being able to show African trade risk to international banks that are members of CCRM, and is aligned with our desire to connect Africa to the world,” he added.
CCRManager is a web-based platform that enables banks to manage the entire process of distributing trade finance internationally to other banks, credit insurers, and fund managers.
“CCRManager is delighted to have Standard Bank as its first African member bank,” says Kah Chye Tan, Chairman, CCRManager.
“Africa is a major trade partner for countries all over and trade finance has played an important role in promoting African imports and exports for many decades. We are confident that CCRManager will help Standard Bank with its trade finance for its clients.”
Users of CCRManager are able to list trade assets and contingents for distribution, negotiate deals, and manage supporting documentation in a secure environment.
Users also have access to tools for data analytics, market benchmarking, and pricing indices. In addition, CCRManager provides users with the ability to manage their portfolio, reporting, and compliance activities 24-hours a day.
“This partnership represents Standard Bank’s dedication to leverage world-leading digital platforms that help realise efficiencies in a globally competitive market place,” says Mr Madhavan, adding: “At Standard Bank, we recognise the potential of trade as a key driver for growth, especially in emerging and frontier markets.”


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It’s been a rough start to the new year for Colorado medical marijuana businesses, which find themselves in the crosshairs as the Drug Enforcement Agency widens its assault on the cannabis industry.
So it’s an ideal time for the Medical Marijuana Business Alliance – a trade organization for the state’s MMJ industry – to hold its monthly meeting.
The gathering, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. tonight with an hour of networking followed by a panel discussion, will include an update on the federal government’s actions against marijuana dispensaries in Colorado. Local cannabis business owners are clamoring for information and a forum to vent their frustration, and this presents the perfect venue for them to discuss their concerns with experts and other professionals.
Last week, U.S. attorneys sent warning letters to 23 dispensaries in Denver and around the state, threatening to shut the pot businesses down and seize their assets if they don’t close or relocate within 45 days. The letters were sent out to cannabis businesses located within 1,000 feet of schools, as well as the landlords of these marijuana dispensaries.
Aside from creating confusion, the move has spread fear throughout the state’s MMJ industry: Government sources said the warning letters are simply the “first step” in the Colorado medical pot crackdown.
MMBA organizers initially intended to focus tonight’s event on introducing alliance members to major cannabis industry groups and to talk about the coming year. But now they’ll also discuss the attorney letters and the government’s next steps, as the issue will most certainly generate a lot of buzz.
The event will feature an industry panel that includes Nick King of Act 4 Colorado, Bob Hoban of the Cannabis Business Alliance, Mike Elliott of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group, Steve Fox of the National Cannabis Industry Association and Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado.
The gathering is free for industry professionals, but MMBA requests that attendees RSVP online. If you have a question for the panel, you can submit them in advance. Those who do so ahead of the meeting will receive higher priority.
The meeting will be held at Casselman’s Bar & Venue, 2620 Walnut St., Denver, CO.


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Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and his counterpart at Google, CEO Sundar Pichai, secretly struck a deal in 2018 to carve up the digital promoting market between the 2 tech giants, in accordance with newly revealed allegations from prime state law-enforcement officers.
Previously, it was reported that the deal was signed by Zuckerberg’s No. 2, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who moved over to the social community after a stint heading up Google’s on-line advert gross sales staff, in accordance with the allegations in a lawsuit by a bunch of state attorneys common.
But in accordance with newly unredacted courtroom filings, Zuckerberg and Pichai additionally signed off on the backroom deal in 2018, which allegedly assured Meta subsidiary Facebook would each bid in — and win — a set share of advert auctions, in accordance with courtroom papers.
The authentic grievance had alleged that Google reached out Facebook after the social media firm emerged as a strong on-line advert rival in 2017. The two tech behemoths then allegedly struck “an unlawful agreement” to provide Facebook “information, speed, and other advantages” within the advert auctions it ran in alternate for the social community backing down from its aggressive threats.
The newly revised, unredacted model of the lawsuit, which was refiled on Friday, additionally particularly alleges that Sandberg helped negotiate the settlement earlier than bringing it to Zuckerberg, who authorized the deal. Sandberg is alleged to have lobbied her boss to okay the settlement, calling it a “big deal strategically.”
“We’re nearly ready to sign and need your approval to move forward,” Sandberg and her staff instructed Zuckerberg in an e mail cited by the grievance.
While the names of Zuckerberg and Sandberg are redacted, their titles will not be.
“Facebook CEO [REDACTED] wanted to meet with COO [REDACTED] and his other executives before making a decision,” says the grievance.
The September 2018 settlement between Google and Facebook allegedly bears the signatures of Sandberg and a Google senior vp.
“Google CEO Sundar Pichai also personally signed off on the terms of the deal,” in accordance with the lawsuit.
The states up to date the unique grievance in November. The revised model included many redactions. But a federal decide in New York ordered the states to undo a lot of the redactions, saying that it was within the public curiosity to have the data revealed.
The newly unredacted go well with additionally claims that Google duped publishers and advertisers for years about the way it costs and executes its advert auctions, creating secret algorithms that hiked costs for consumers whereas deflating income for some advertisers.
Likewise, Google used the additional money it received from inflated advert costs to improperly increase its monopoly, in accordance with the grievance, which cites inside correspondence from Google workers. Some Google staff stated the practices amounted to utilizing “insider information” to develop the enterprise, in accordance with the go well with.
The allegations have been made by the attorneys common for Texas, 14 different states, and Puerto Rico, who’re suing Google in federal courtroom for antitrust violations. Facebook and its mother or father firm, Meta Platforms will not be defendants within the lawsuit.
In December 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took the lead in submitting a lawsuit towards Google, accusing it of utilizing anti-competitive means to achieve dominance over the digital advert house.
The Post has reached out to Alphabet-owned Google in addition to Meta Platforms for remark.
Both firms earlier denied to Politico that the association was unlawful. A Google spokesperson stated that the lawsuit was “full of inaccuracies.”
A Google spokesperson instructed Politico the corporate plans to file a movement in courtroom subsequent week looking for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
“Despite Attorney General Paxton’s three attempts to re-write his complaint, it is still full of inaccuracies and lacks legal merit,” Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels stated.
“Our advertising technologies help websites and apps fund their content, and enable small businesses to reach customers around the world.”
“There is vigorous competition in online advertising, which has reduced ad tech fees, and expanded options for publishers and advertisers.”
Meta Platforms, Inc. additionally launched a press release defending the association with Google.
“Meta’s non-exclusive bidding agreement with Google and the similar agreements we have with other bidding platforms, have helped to increase competition for ad placements,” Meta spokesperson Christopher Sgro stated.
“These business relationships enable Meta to deliver more value to advertisers while fairly compensating publishers, resulting in better outcomes for all.”
The authentic December 2020 lawsuit was filed at across the similar time that the Department of Justice submitted its personal antitrust grievance towards Google. The DOJ claimed Google has lengthy damaged the regulation in its quest to stay “the gateway to the internet,” and has deprived opponents in an effort to promote extra on-line search adverts.
Last month, greater than 200 newspapers filed go well with towards Facebook and Google, who have been accused of unfairly manipulating the promoting market and siphoning away their income.
Both Facebook and Google face authorized challenges from regulators who allege that they’ve grown too highly effective within the tech house by gaining an unfair benefit over different firms.
Earlier this week, the Federal Trade Commission was allowed to proceed with a lawsuit towards Facebook after a decide rejected the corporate’s request to throw out claims that it’s a monopoly.
In June, New York State, Tennessee, Utah, and North Carolina banded collectively to file an antitrust lawsuit towards Google over its administration of its cellular app retailer.
Foreign governments even have the 2 tech companies of their sights.
Earlier this month, French regulators imposed fines totaling $238 million on Google and Facebook for allegedly violating European privateness legal guidelines by not permitting customers the possibility to reject data-tracking cookies.


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UK Tourists to Gain 28% More Spending Money with Strong Sterling
The Post Office Travel Money Survey has revealed that tourism could become even more lucrative for Brits in 2014 as a strong pound equates to increased spending money. As the power of sterling rises, British tourists will witness an increase of more than a quarter in their spending money – great news for those planning […]
2014 Holiday Spend to Total £37 billion
New research has revealed that the travel industry is still booming for Brits as 22.8 million of us plan to take a holiday overseas in the New Year, spending a staggering £37 billion in the process and holiday spend is definitely blooming. Proving that we all need a good holiday now and again, almost half […]
Christmas TV to Influence Next Year’s Holiday Choices
The nature of TV programming this Christmas could influence the decisions made by holidaymakers when it comes to booking trips away during 2014. That is the view of ABTA – The Travel Association – which is predicting that top films and series that are filmed in a variety of locations will act as inspiration in […]
3 Tips to Survive the Christmas/New Year Shopping Sales
Before you’ve even polished off your Christmas dinner this year, there will be bargains available over this festive period. However, that doesn’t mean you necessarily need to spend, spend, spend! It is almost certain that you will have spent enough already on gifts for friends and family, so any spending strategy you have in place […]
3 Reasons why New York is the Ultimate Christmas Shopping Trip
Now whether it’s because the city features in so many of our favourite festive films or because it just has so much to offer, New York remains firmly placed as a very popular Christmas destination. From hundreds of shops to plenty of festive stalls and decorations, the festive feel is visible on every corner. Parades […]
Is it a Good Time to be a Saver in the UK?
So far in 2013, many savers will have kept a close eye on the gradual fall in the rate of inflation and considered what it might mean for their precious funds. November saw rates reach 2.1%, down from 2.7% in January and ever so slightly nearer to the government’s target of 2%. However, it has […]
What Makes Christmas Markets Such a Popular Travel Attraction?
As the festive season approaches, many people are keen to embrace the many traditions of other countries by celebrating in style. Christmas markets are popular both at home and abroad, as many European destinations in France, Germany and Austria are all renowned for their festive stalls and traditional foods. Closer to home, big cities such […]
Will Consumers be the Big Winners of Increased Competition in Global Travel Card Market?
Increased competition in any sector is always good for consumers. Whether it is high street retailers, supermarkets or car insurance, when new options are made available and a market expands then customers will always feel the benefits. It appears that the Australian prepaid travel card market is the latest example of consumers coming out on […]
Travel Essentials you Need for Your Christmas Travels
Travelling at Christmas is becoming increasingly common – whether it’s going to visit the family or jetting off on the holiday of a lifetime. Regardless of where you’re heading this winter season, there’s a few essentials that everyone should bring to guarantee that all goes to plan. Passports and paperwork If you’re travelling abroad or […]
Expect Low Interest Rates for Foreseeable Future
Low interest rates will continue well into 2015 according to high ranking officials at the Bank of England as only a period of sustained strong growth will see a change. The Bank’s chief economist Spencer Dale said the weakness of the UK economy and the threat of further world shocks were holding back a change […]


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Wednesday, 31 Aug 2016
The MacBook Air is not dead as Apple has plans to refresh the lineup in October.
Friday, 26 Aug 2016
It's taken awhile, but the LG Gram is finally here. In conjunction with the Gram's launch, LG is also holding a special contest where you can stand to win LG monitors if you spot the Gram notebook at selected IT outlets.
ASUS has launched the Transformer Book T101, a lightweight and affordable 2-in-1 notebook that costs just S$399.
Monday, 22 Aug 2016
Microsoft has confirmed that the battery issues plaguing certain Surface Pro 3 owners are software-related. It is currently working on a patch to fix the problem.
Saturday, 20 Aug 2016
NVIDIA only just announced its GeForce GTX 10-series Pascal GPUs for the mobile segment, and notebook manufacturers have wasted no time in revealing their own respective line-up. Including one of NVIDIA’s key component partners, MSI, of course.
Tuesday, 16 Aug 2016
Aftershock has refreshed its high-end gaming notebook range with brand new NVIDIA 10-series Pascal GPUs and a host of new features. The update applies to its best-selling S series notebooks and the ultra-enthusiast W series laptops that are intended as serious desktop replacements.
Just a few months ago, NVIDIA released its first GPUs to be based on its all-new Pascal architecture. And now, NVIDIA is bringing its Pascal architecture to gaming notebooks by announcing the new GTX 10-series mobile GPUs.
Thursday, 11 Aug 2016
Apple is said to bring the first major overhaul of the MacBook Pro later this year. Hit the link to find out more about its purported specs.
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016
Lenovo opens new Lenovo Exclusive Store in Marina Square, Singapore. It is the brand's fourth store in Singapore and will provide customers an environment to get up close and personal with Lenovo's latest products.
Sunday, 31 Jul 2016
Xiaomi has announced the Mi Notebook Air, a light and powerful machine that comes crammed with all the latest hardware.


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But our own Dearborn, Mich. wasn't left out in Wednesday's big Powerball lottery drawing.
Someone bought a ticket that struck five of the six numbers at a CVS on Ford Road near Schaefer Avenue.
It's worth $1 million.
“It’s very exciting, especially having someone local who won some money, one of our customers,” store manager Bob Pettibone told the Dearborn Press & Guide on Thursday.
He didn't know who bought the ticket or when it was sold.
The winner should call 517-373-1237 to claim the prize.
The record $587.5 million jackpot will be split between two winners in Dearborn, Mo. and Fountain Hills, Ariz.
In Michigan, 300,000 ticket holders won prizes ranging from $4 to $1, according to Michigan Lottery officials.
Another $1 million ticket was sold in Kentwood on the west side of the state.
And 18 Michigan-sold tickets struck four numbers, winning $10,000 prizes.
Another Dearborn store, C&A Food Stop, sold one of the $10,000 tickets, as did Alger Party Store in Grosse Pointe, D&S Shell gas station in Ortonville, Kajys Market in Detroit and Radhe Valero gas station in Livonia.
The winning numbers were 05-16-22-23-29 and Powerball 06.Winners of prizes over $600 can claim their prize at a Lottery regional claim center.
Other Powerball winnings can be claimed at any store that sells tickets.


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A combination of art and socially motivated stunt, HSCB is selling printed ‘banknotes’ to raise cash to buy back local people’s debt
While banks disappear from many high streets, in Walthamstow in north-east London there’s a new financial institution in town: Hoe Street Central Bank – HSCB for short.
HSCB is not your average bank but what its founders call “an act of citizen money creation”. It prints its own money in the form of beautifully designed banknotes, sells the banknotes to people in exchange for legal tender, and plans to use the proceeds to buy back £1m of debt owed by residents living in the E17 postcode.
Be informed. Be inspired.
Artist Hilary Powell and her husband, filmmaker Dan Edelstyn, launched the project in a former Co-op bank on Walthamstow high street earlier this year. They hope to raise £50,000 in order to buy back the debt. So-called ‘bad loans’ can be written down to a fraction of their original value when they reach the secondary market. “We want to demystify economics,” said Edelstyn. “Knowledge and community are power.”
A recent survey by Positive Money, a body that campaigns for a fair and sustainable money system, revealed that 85 per cent of MPs don’t know how money is created in our economy. In fact, 97 per cent is made by commercial banks in the form of loans. Just 3 per cent is created by the Bank of England and the Royal Mint as cash.
We want to demystify economics. Knowledge and community are power
Replacing the Queen, the HSCB ‘Bank…


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- Recently products like turmeric milk, celery fennel tea, soy based tea, decoction, chyawanprash ice cream and raspberry rich in vitamin C have come on the market
- From Five Star Hotels to restaurants and cafes, the menu has increased focus on products that enhance immunity.
Jun 14, 2020, 05:55 AM IST
new Delhi. People are now fully focused on immunity to avoid coronavirus. Actually, the movement of people has started with the introduction of Unlock-1. In such a situation, the number of patients across the country is increasing exponentially. From doctors to experts, it is believed that strengthening defense and immunity is the only way to escape from Corona.
Given this, companies as well as hotels, restaurants are also focusing on boosting immunity. Corona has proved the importance of healthy foods and beverages. Statistics show that people are using such products and this has increased sales. Chyawanprash and honey sales have seen an increase of up to 30%.
Keeping in mind the changing food habits and needs of the people, there are dozens of companies ranging from Mother Dairy to Amul and Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), Starbucks and Chaios, offering immunity boost products for consumers. From Five Star Hotels to restaurants and cafes, the menu has increased focus on products that enhance immunity.
Immunity boosting products
Recently products like turmeric milk, basil milk and ginger milk, honey-turmeric latte, soy-based tea, brew and vitamin-C rich raspberries, kiwi and blueberry smoothies, turmeric latte have come up. Similarly, turmeric tea, celery fennel tea, lemongrass tea and Kashmiri coffee, herb and seed bread, chyawanprash ice cream and buttermilk ragi tacos, special khichdi, immunity sandesh and many other products are also present in the market.
These are the kids special immune products
- Milk and milk products giant and Mother Dairy, a subsidiary of NDDB, has introduced turmeric milk to the butter scotch flavor. Every bottle of milk, rich in turmeric properties, has the benefit of one spoon of turmeric. The company has designed it especially for children. Hence it has been launched in Butterscotch Flavor. It can be drunk either cold or hot. It costs 25 rupees.
- NRI Chaiwala has prepared Special Kids Tea for children. It includes 14 types of nutrition with wheat, barley, sugar, bitamine-C and D. It costs 20 rupees. The company believes that this will strengthen children's bones. It is for children who do not want to drink milk. This tea looks like milk and juice in a way and its test is like chocolate.
- Dairy firms are now trying to make up for the loss of lockdown with new immunity boosting variants. Especially it will be launched according to the season. Nearly all top ice cream companies such as Naturals, Vadilal, Pabrai, Cream Bell and Dairy Day are working on plans to bring flavors with immunity boosters. These companies may launch Chyawanprash ice cream and turmeric mix ice cream.
- Ice cream sales have been the most affected during the lockdown. However, it has the highest sales during the summer season. This happened because people's focus on eating and drinking outside the home was reduced.
- Hindustan Unilever has also introduced Vitamin-C and D Plus Zinc in its Horlicks brand to boost immunity. The company has launched it for kids and women. Although people of all ages will be able to use it. At the same time, the bakery company, Baked Goods Label, has launched Herb & Seed Bread. It is specially designed for children. It has included many special ingredients including basil, honey.
Companies are focusing on native methods
- Starbucks has launched honey-turmeric latte, soy-based tea, brew and vitamin C-rich raspberries, kiwis and blueberries. Tata Starbucks believes that in future most customers will focus on healthy eating. This is the reason that the company is preparing products to do immunity power boost and is adding it to its menu forever.
- Café Coffee Day, the country's largest coffee chain, has introduced turmeric lattes. According to CCD chief executive Vinay A Bhopatkar, after Kovid-19, there has been increased awareness about Indian traditional spices and ingredients. Indian spices are very helpful in enhancing immunity.
- Chaios has launched turmeric milk and turmeric tea in view of the epidemic. The company's co-founder Raghav Verma believes that most of his products have been launched keeping in mind the guidelines of the AYUSH ministry.
- Tea retailer Tea Point has added new items to its menu such as celery fennel tea, lemongrass tea and Kashmiri coffee. This can help people to overcome seasonal diseases. Amulek Singh Bijral, Co-Founder of Tea Point, said, "The trend of working from home has led to a rapid change in the food habits of people. Now people are preferring healthy food for breakfast. "
- NRI Chaiwala based in Delhi-NCR has launched Special Anti Corona Tea. The company's co-founder Jagdish Kumar says, "We have emphasized on immunity power enhancing products to fight the corona infection." In view of this, Mohini Astra (Cinnamon and Thyme Tea), Ramban (Mulethi Tea), Bhramastra (Turmeric Tea), Nagastra (Kara Tea), Suryastra (Ginger Lemon Tea) have been added to the menu. At the same time, Delhi and Restaurant and Cafe My Bar Cafe have also changed the menu for lunch and dinner. Emphasis is being laid on healthy food and well cooked food in high temperatures.
- Pack bottle water manufacturer Bisleri has introduced additional mineral water to increase immunity. While ITC has launched 'Immunity' Song. It is launched under the dairy brand Ashirwad Swasti.
'Healthy Products' of Dairy Companies
Dairy brand Mother Dairy 'Turmeric Milk' and Amul India have launched Amul Turmeric Milk, Tulsi Milk and Ginger Milk. Amul India will soon launch Ashwagandha and honey milk. This milk will be available in the market for 25 rupees. Both companies have said that in order to increase immunity amidst the coronavirus epidemic, the AYUSH ministry has advised everyone to drink turmeric mixed milk. In view of the guidelines of the Ministry of AYUSH, new products are being introduced.
Hotels 'healthy menu'
Some hotels in Ahmedabad have included other food menu cards including celery-fennel tea, turmeric tea, chyawanprash, turmeric ice cream, buttermilk, tulsi tea. Like other hotels serving Gujarati thali, other restaurants have also prepared to include drinks that boost immunity.
Other healthy beverages, including Ayurvedic decoction, have been included in the menu, especially at Cafe Restaurant. Luxury Five Star Hotel is also making changes to its menu. Vivanta of Taj Hotel has launched Special Khichdi, which increases immunity power in New Delhi. At the same time, Oberoi Grand, Kolkata has now prepared Anti Corona Juice as welcome drinks for the guests coming to their hotel.
Restaurant's 'healthy menu'
Many restaurants in cities like Delhi, Mumbai can now make blueberry chutney, tomato-cucumber and green vegetable mix sprouts, lettuce, soy brown rice, fresh vegetable soup mandatory in the menu.
- The owner of Delhi's famous restaurant chain Gola Sizzlers said that now customers are demanding healthy and immunity power boosting dish. As such, we have included fresh salads, sprouts and vegetable soups in our menu. With this, soy brown rice has been made mandatory instead of plain rice. In the coming time, we will make our menu more healthy.
- Mumbai-based Candy and Green Lunch and Dinner can include food like Superfood Poke Bowl in their menu. It will be completely protein rich. Talking about cocktail menu, this restaurant has included products like Tequila Mango Puri and I Chilli. It contains vitamins and minerals. It also contains a small amount of alcohol.
Immunity enhancer 'sweets'
Balaram Malik (Swets), one of Kolkata's famous sweets shops, has launched 'Immunity Sandesh'. Shop owner Sudeep Malik claims that it has been prepared using 15 herbs and spices. These include turmeric, basil, saffron and cardamom. In the message, honey from the Himalayas has been used in lieu of sugar to increase the immunity of the customers after eating it. Sandesh is a popular dessert in Kolkata.


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- News announced during GSMA Thrive Africa virtual conference
- Nearly half a billion people subscribe to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa
29 September 2020, London: GSMA has announced it will host MWC Africa in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021, bringing the leading global event series to the continent for the first time. GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd, announced the news during his opening keynote address at Thrive Africa, the GSMA’s virtual event platform, which runs from the 29 September to 1 October 2020.
MWC21 Africa will bring together the leading names from business and technology to become the continent’s most connected and influential event. This premier event is part of the GSMA’s flagship series of MWC events, which includes editions in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles.
“I am proud of what we have built with Thrive and the previous Mobile 360 events, which have helped shape the continent’s connected digital future,” said Granryd. “From 2021 we will celebrate MWC Africa, joining our world-leading platform for thought-leadership and technology, recognising the important role Africa will play in our connected future.”
“Around the world, access to mobile internet is helping close the digital divide. Its transformative power is nowhere more obvious than in Africa. That is why I’m excited about welcoming the world to Kigali next year to shine a light on African mobile and tech innovation.”
This year, Thrive Africa will examine the role of connectivity in powering a better future, and how this can accelerate to achieve the best outcomes in terms of health provision, economic benefits and inclusion. Conceived by the GSMA, Orange, MTN, ZTE and Mastercard, Thrive Africa will bring Africa’s leaders together for a virtual event to create the continent’s most connected and influential technology experience. The event is also sponsored by Huawei, Intelsat, MFS Africa and, Safaricom.
During the event, speakers will also discuss Africa’s readiness for the 4th Industrial Revolution: in the next five years, the continent will host 1.3 billion devices and IoT connections, but increased connectivity will be essential to maximise the available benefits.
Africa’s Mobile Economy
The GSMA has also published its annual Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report to coincide with Thrive Africa. This in-depth study explores the latest data, forecasts and trends for the region. It includes a range of policy recommendations that will help ensure that mobile internet makes the best possible contribution to the regional economy, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region, with 477 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2019, with an additional 137 million subscribers over the period to 2025, representing a CAGR of 4.3%. Notably, 272 million are now mobile internet users, representing 26% of the population. In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa, a contribution of more than $155 billion.
This year, GSMA Thrive Africa will host the first-ever regional Policy Leaders Forum, following the format of the Ministerial Programme at MWC Barcelona, but with a dedicated African focus. It brings together key stakeholders from ministries, regulatory bodies and the broader mobile ecosystem to exchange views, and consider how all mobile players in Africa are adapting to a new era of intelligent connectivity.
“The findings from our Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa report clearly show the importance and value of digital connectivity,” said Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Africa, GSMA. “Realising the full potential of a progressive digital future requires an informed policy debate of the sort that GSMA Thrive Africa will deliver. I look forward to welcoming everyone in person to the inaugural MWC21 Africa, an event which represents the continent’s next step towards closing the digital divide.”
– ENDS –
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences.


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26 July 2013 - The Toupargel Groupe SA Board of Directors met on 24 July 2013 to approve the interim financial statements on the basis of IFRS for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2013.
The interim financial statements have been subject to a limited review by the Statutory Auditors.
Q2 2013 sales totaled €71.4 million, down 10.0% compared with Q2 2012.
Over all of H1 2013, sales were down 10.8% to €145.6 million.
The €17.6 million decline resulted from a calendar effect, as there were three fewer selling days than in H1 2012, the horsemeat scandal, lower new customer creation and a delay in marketing campaigns on the e-commerce website.
The recessionary economic conditions and unfavourable spring weather also weighed down performance in the first half of the year.


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ITC to reconsider patent rulings against Samsung
The International Trade Committee of the United States decided on Wednesday to accept Samsung Electronics’ request to reconsider a preliminary ruling on patent violations made by its administrative judge in October.
In the ruling, Judge Thomas Pender found Samsung’s mobile devices violated four patents owned by Apple and did not violate two.
Samsung has seized an opportunity to temporarily avoid a U.S. import ban on its smartphones and tablet PCs, including the Galaxy S, Galaxy S2, Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Tab. The latest Galaxy S3 and Note 2 were not included in the ruling.
The decision by the U.S. panel specializing in patent disputes also has the potential to affect the ongoing patent litigation between the two smartphone giants - one in San Jose, California, in particular.
In July 2011, Apple filed a suit against Samsung with the trade panel claiming Samsung infringed six of its patents. In October last year, Pender ruled that Samsung infringed on three function-related patents (including one involving the touch screen) and one design-related patent, all held by Apple. He also found the Korean tech titan did not violate two others, including one related to the iPhone design. Both Apple and Samsung applied for reviews of the decision.
On Wednesday, the ITC asked Pender to re-examine his preliminary ruling on two of the violations.
A final decision on the case was originally due on March 27 but will now have to be pushed back further due to the review.
“We remain confident that the full commission will ultimately reach a final determination that affirms our position,” Samsung said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Apple missed Wall Street’s revenue forecast for the third straight quarter after iPhone sales came in below expectations on Wednesday, fanning fears that its dominance of consumer electronics is slipping.
Shares of the world’s largest tech company fell 10 percent to $463 in after-hours trading, wiping out some $50 billion of its market value - equivalent to the value of Hewlett-Packard and Dell combined.
Apple said it shipped a record 47.8 million iPhones in the December quarter, up 29 percent from a year earlier. But that lagged behind the 50 million that analysts on average had projected.
Expectations for the company’s results had been subdued by news of possible production cutbacks by some component suppliers in Asia, triggering fears that demand for the iPhone, which accounts for half of Apple’s revenue, and the iPad could be slowing.
But some investors clung to hopes for a repeat of years of historical outperformance, analysts said.
“It’s going to call into question Apple’s dominance in the space. It’s still one of the strong players, the others being Samsung and Google. It’s still a two-horse race, but Android continues to grow rapidly,” said Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu.
Apple also undershot revenue targets in the previous two quarters, and these results will prompt more questions about what Apple has in its product pipeline and what it can do to attract new sales and maintain its growth trajectory, analysts said.
Net income of $13.07 billion was virtually the same as $13.06 billion a year earlier. The year-ago quarter also had an extra week compared to this year.
“You can’t just keep rolling out iPhones and iPads and think that everybody needs a new one,” said Jeffrey Gundlach, who runs DoubleLine Capital, a $53 billion bond firm. “The mini? What is that all about? It is a slightly smaller iPad - so what? So that is our new definition of innovation?”
“There are plenty of competitors like Samsung and other legitimate competitors like them,” added Gundlach, one of the highest-profile Apple bears. He maintains a $425 price target for its shares.
Taking into account the drop in shares in Wednesday’s after-hours trading, Apple’s stock is now down 34 percent from its September record high.
By Seo Ji-eun, Reuters [firstname.lastname@example.org]


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Li'l Devil's Lounge - Devil's Paradise, the outdoor patio bar at Li'l Devil's will open just in time for the holiday on Friday, May 22. The venue will offer a variety of drink specials Friday through Monday and a Shrimp Boil taking place at 3 p.m. on Monday. Summer BBQs will also kick off this weekend, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Denver Deep Dish LoHi - Sandwich and pizza shop Denver Deep Dish will have live music from Littleton-based band, Pressing Vertical, on Saturday, May 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy drink specials, Chicago-style pizza and some brand new songs from the band.
Butcher's Bistro is hosting a barbecue to honor the holiday weekend. The festivities will take place on Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be smoked meat and the newest beer from the Denver Beer Co., Princess Yum Yum. A mere $25 will get guests 2 beers and a choice of meat from the barbecue.
Lola will host a lavish and fun Memorial Day Picnic on Monday, May 25 from noon to 9 p.m. There will be tacos, ribs, smoked chicken wings and more. Plus, to end a great meal, guests will have homemade sweet treats from the Paleteria Cart.
Both locations of the ViewHouse (2015 Market Street and 7101 S. Clinton Street, Centennial - www.viewhouse.com) are hosting Memorial Day parties on Sunday May 24. There will be food, cocktails, outdoor fun, including volleyball tournaments, cornhole, giant beer pong, dunk tank, giant inflatables, courtyard fun, live DJs and an MC. If you're at Ballpark, head over for the sounds by DJ Squirt and guest DJ Serafine. Bonus: Show your military ID and get 20% food and drink all weekend, Friday through Monday.
RiNo Beach Club - Didn't get a chance to party like a college student over spring break? Well you're in luck, because the RiNo Beach Club is hosting an epic Neighborhood Kickoff Bash complete with a giant pool, drinks, a live DJ and over 10,000 square feet of sand. Starting at 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, guests can enter the club at no charge to listen to the beats of DJ Yo Huckleberry and purchase bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys while enjoying the pool and sand. More information can be found online.
The Post Brewing Co., the Lafayette brewery and fried chicken eatery, is hosting a Memorial Day Bash on Monday, May 25. In honor of the American holiday, a smoker barbecue special will be offered: smoked ribs and shoulder with beans, slaw, and cornbread for $13. Live music by the Many Mountains will accompany the party.
Order Up - If the soggy weather continues over the holiday, Order Up Denver will provide the perfect back-up of a flat delivery fee of $4.99 for Brothers BBQ. The rate will apply to any dish including favorites like ribs, mac n cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches. Orders can be placed online.


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The [CB]/[WEF] great reset and green new deal is not going as planned. The people see it all as the economy collapses. The people see how those in charge are not actually helping the economy but making it worse. China is now shutting down the factories that make batteries, solar panels, the green new deal is doomed.