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A record Black Friday trading week has primed Premier Investments for buoyant Christmas trade, Boxing Day and back-to-school sales that will help drive sales and earnings growth this year.
Its fashion chain business, Premier Retail, which owns brands including Peter Alexander and Smiggle, enjoyed a 23.6 per cent increase in global sales for the first 17 weeks of fiscal 2023, compared with the same period a year ago.
Mr Lew told the annual meeting in Melbourne on Friday that this time last year the group had been disrupted, with 43,000 lost store trading days in the first quarter. Sales this year were up nearly 25 per cent on the pre-COVID period.
Customers snapped up new 2023 ranges across its brands, which also include Dotti, Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans and Jacqui E. The group achieved record sales during this year’s Black Friday event including its highest-ever global online sales from a trading week.
The recent retailing environment has been broadly strong across the board in Australia heading in to the pivotal period although not all retailers are doing as well as Premier. Baby Bunting and City Chic are both under performers.
This week, retail sales data showed sales fell for the first time this year in October, after higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressures forced consumers to cut back.
Mr Lew said global sales for the past five weeks to date were flat compared with a year ago, when stores reopened and boomed after a four-month lockdown. In October, Premier said its global sales for the first 12 weeks had surged 42.8 per cent.
He told media that the group was well positioned and prepared for the key trading dates ahead, and that with low unemployment and higher wages next half he was not too worried about spending falling away.
“There is full employment. There’s an expectation of higher wages, so there’s going to be more money in the pipeline so from our perspective, we’re very happy with rate of employment,” he said.
Shaw and Partners analysts said in a note that the multiple updates through this half year were out of the ordinary for Premier and likely driven by the stronger than expected operating conditions.
Premier appeared well-placed to materially beat consensus expectations for the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, they said.
Premier Retail chief executive Richard Murray said there was little discounting needed to attract consumers.
“We’ve bought well, we’ve got our plans, we know how to trade it. As a management team, we can only control the levers we have got. But I think certainly from Sol down, [we are] very focused on managing risks,” he said.
Premier Retail delivered record online sales, contributing $304.1 million in financial 2022 – up 14.3 per cent from the year earlier. Premier’s online channel created a higher earnings before interest and tax margin than the retail store channel, with online sales climbing fivefold in five years.
At the end of 2022, Premier’s investment in Breville Group had a market value of $760.3 million, while its 19.88 per cent investment in Myer Holdings was worth about $76 million.
Mr Lew said he was pleased that Terry McCartney was elected to the board at the recent Myer AGM, and noted that he would make a “much-needed valuable contribution to the Myer board, which we continue to believe lacks relevant experience”.
Mr Lew questioned if shoppers wanted to go to Myer given its $3 billion or so in sales and little profit to show.
“You might be disappointed with the Christmas windows currently. Well, you should go out and look. I’m not saying they are bad, they are underinvested,” he told media.
All eyes will be on Mr Lew come January when it is widely expected he will again up Premier’s stake in Myer from nearly 23 per cent. Under creeping takeover rules, Premier is allowed to buy another 3 per cent every six months.
Myer chief executive John King told investors at the AGM that the department store had its best start to a fiscal year in two decades, and that CBD locations had slowly returned to growth.
He also said Myer had lower levels of aged stock and there was disciplined management of inventory and costs.
Premier’s shares fell 10¢ to $25.43 on Friday afternoon while Myer shares were steady at 72¢ each.
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In major directives of the government to minimize the spread of Covid-19, face masks play a big role to curb the pandemic. Women in Lam u county have found I hard to acquire a single face mask each therefore, the use of the bra as the face mask has been invented in the county.
Tailors and other outlets if the face masks in the county are selling the masks at a high price therefore,acquiring a mask has been a problem.
“Those who are selling thosesaid one of the women’s
masks locally are doing so at a very high cost and we can’t afford it. If a bra can serve the same purpose, why not use them? As a mother, I am doing everything I can to keep my family safe and will do anything
to achieve that.
Residents have therefore urged the government to look into the matter and even go ahead to close some of the outlets that are taking advantage of the current situation of Covid-19.

domain: news


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Apple Provides More Details About Independent Repair Provider Program for Macs
Apple this week announced that it has expanded its Independent Repair Provider Program to include Mac repairs. Apple has since outlined further details about the initiative in an internal document obtained by MacRumors.
The internal document states the following:
- Qualifying repair shops can gain access to Apple genuine parts, tools, and training starting August 17
- The program covers all Mac models
- The program is limited to out-of-warranty Mac repairs
- Examples of components eligible for repair include the display, logic board, and top case, the latter of which includes the keyboard, trackpad, speakers, and battery
- Participating repair shops must have Apple-certified technicians perform the repairs
- Participating repair shops are not permitted to offer whole-unit replacements for Macs
- Participating repair shops cannot ship Macs to an Apple repair center
Apple first launched the program for out-of-warranty iPhone repairs in the United States last year and expanded it to Canada and Europe last month. Apple's website has more details, but it has yet to be updated to reflect the inclusion of Mac repairs.
Update: Apple has also repriced several Mac repair parts for technicians. While some parts are now lower in price, several have increased by up to hundreds of dollars, such as 13-inch MacBook Pro displays.
Apple released iOS 16.3 in late January following nearly six weeks of beta testing. The software update is available for the iPhone 8 and newer, and while it is a relatively minor update, it still includes a handful of new features, changes, and bug fixes.
Below, we've recapped new features in iOS 16.3, including support for physical security keys as a two-factor authentication option for...
Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the Pro and Pro Max models in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.
In a September 2022 edition of his weekly "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said there was "potential" for an iPhone 15 Ultra to replace the iPhone 15 Pro...
Online retailer TigerDirect has slashed pricing on the M1 iPad Air in several colors, offering the base 64GB configuration for just $313.99 in Purple and Pink.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with TigerDirect. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
That's a savings of 48% compared to Apple's normal $599.00...
A new version of the Mac Studio with the "M2 Ultra" chip is unlikely to arrive in the near future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that since the upcoming Apple silicon Mac Pro is "very similar in functionality to the Mac Studio," Apple may wait until the release of M3- or M4-series chips to update the machine, or...
Google's Chromium developers are working on an experimental web browser for iOS that would break Apple's browser engine restrictions, The Register reports.
The experimental browser, which is being actively pursued by developers, uses Google's Blink engine. Yet if Google attempted to release it on the App Store, it would not pass Apple's App Review process.
Apple's App Store rules dictate...
Apple's next device with an Apple silicon chip may not be a Mac or an iPad, but rather an advanced external display, according to recent reports.
The display, which is rumored to arrive this year, is expected to sit somewhere between the $1,599 Studio Display and the $4,999 Pro Display XDR – but more exact information about the device's positioning and price point is as yet unknown. While ...
This week saw the launch of the final product from Apple's January hardware announcements, with the second-generation HomePod making its way into customers' hands.
Other news and rumors this week included signs of an interim iOS 16.3.1 bug fix update in the works as we await a fresh round of beta testing for a more significant iOS 16.4 update, a report on the potential dangers of using...
Today is the official launch day for the second-generation HomePod that was introduced in January, and we picked one up to compare it to the original HomePod that Apple discontinued in 2021.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Design wise, the second-generation HomePod looks a lot like the first-generation model, featuring the same rounded design and acoustic mesh...


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One in every 20 Indians suffers from depression (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)
Indians popped in more anti-depressants than ever before in 2016, indicating perhaps that they are now more open to the idea of seeking help for mental health problems.
Around 10.6 lakh more prescriptions for anti-depressants were written in 2016 in comparison to 2015, shows data collated by health information agencies. While 3.35 crore prescriptions (for newly diagnosed patients) were written in 2015, doctors wrote 3.46 crore new prescriptions in 2016.
In fact, the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants written out by psychiatrists in 2016 represented a 14% increase from the previous year. Psychiatrists treat patients with major depressive disorders while doctors hailing from multiple specialties treat patients with mild depression or disease-related depression.
Depression, though widely spread in India, is rarely given importance in the public health system, which is burdened by infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and dengue as well as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. In October 2016, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru released a mental health survey that said one in every 20 Indians suffered from some form of depression. The prevalence of depression across the world has increased to such an extent that it’s the theme for the World Health Organisation’s World Health Day on April 7.
When contacted, NIMHANS director Dr B N Gangadhar said the increase in the number of prescriptions could also be an indication of the increasing number of psychiatrists in India. “There is no doubt that people are more open than before to seek help for depression, but a 14% rise in prescriptions could also mean there are more psychiatrists today than before,” Dr Gangadhar said, adding that roughly 360 new psychiatrists graduate annually .
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Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty said there has been a tremendous increase in awareness about mental health. “There is a 100% increase in the number of patients coming to psychiatrists in the last couple of years,” he said, adding that the increase could be the tip of the iceberg.
Goa-based Dr Vikram Patel, who is attached to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said antidepressants have low penetration in India. “If there is an increase, it is not surprising as more people seek help these days. This doesn’t mean there is an increase in the incidence of depression, but there is an increase in awareness,” he said. A recent survey by a pharma major recently listed family pressure, relationship issues as well as biological changes as the leading causes of depression among Indians.Dr Shetty pinpointed the “rapid shifts taking place in India” in the fields of finance, education, workplace, family , among others, as the major cause for depression. “People try to cramp in a century of living within a decade. The brain is being challenged beyond its potential, leading to an increase in depression rates. It is like an orchestra being disrupted,” said Dr Shetty .
Depression is becoming a major problem and with very few mental health professionals, treatment is always going to be a challenge. Technological advancements have thrown up several online counselling… Read MorePrabhjot Singh
Depression is closely linked to social determinants.”Some may suffer from depression due to economic difficulties such as debt while women may suffer due to mental difficulties such as domestic violence,” said Dr Patel.
Microsoft’s ambitious Play Anywhere initiative, which lets PC and Xbox gamers game together, made unexpected strides on Friday, when it was announced that Gears of War 4’s crossplay will expand beyond cooperative mode to include multiplayer competition.
The feature, however, will be limited to Social Quickplay, rather than competitive ranked matches, Microsoft said. So your dreams of a “Super Bowl” of GoW play between the best PC and Xbox players will have to wait.
Interestingly, when Microsoft tested GoW4’s expanded crossplay features at the end of 2016, participation heavily favored the Xbox One.Of the 115,000 players that took part in the test weekend, there was a whopping 91-9 percentage split between the Xbox One and the Windows 10 platform. Over 750,000 matches were played.
To the question of which platform came out on top, Microsoft said the two sides were pretty even: Windows 10 and Xbox players had “closely matched results” when comparing their average kills and deaths, score, and kills per match. Nevertheless, Microsoft said the game’s Core and Competitive rankings will remain separated: Xbox players will only play Windows players, for example, to maintain parity.
“When we looked at the extensive data we received, thanks to the incredible participation from our community, there was a clear message—it works,” the company said in a blog post.
Why this matters: When played with a decent community of polite, competitive opponents, multiplayer gaming can be awesome. Crossplay simply opens up this experience to a larger number of potential players. For its part, Microsoft is really trying to establish Windows and the Xbox as one happy, collective ecosystem, and crossplay is a big part of that.
When Google launched its Android One program in 2014 it was designed for one main reason: to create a system of standards for phones in developing countries. Targeting emerging markets in Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, and others, the program dictated minimum hardware standards and limited software tweaks to insure people everywhere had access to low-cost phones that still provided regular security updates and the latest Android features.
Now it looks like the program is on its way to the U.S.
According to a report in The Information, Google is looking to launch its first Android One phone in the States “before the middle of the year,” and is eyeing LG as a potential manufacturer. Yesterday, VentureBeat divulged that Google would be partnering with LG on the release of its first Android Wear watch, but The Information’s report doesn’t say whether the two companies would be collaborating on the development of the Android One handset.
As Amir Efrati explains, the U.S. launch of Android One is backed by “major new promotional dollars” for phone makers that play by Google’s rules. The first handset is expected to be priced between $200 and $300, and all subsequent models will need to adhere to Google’s strict guidelines “to ensure that they’re fast and responsive—and that they stay that way over time.”
While Google hasn’t divulged the terms of its specifications, the phones highlighted on Google’s Android One site all feature a minimum of a Cortex A7 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and a 1,700 mAh battery. It’s unclear whether the requirements of the U.S. phones would need to adhere to different standards than those made for overseas markets.
The story behind the story: One of the biggest problems facing low-cost Android phones in the U.S. is that they are often bogged down by carrier and manufacturer bloatware, as well as a lack of timely security and OS updates. A push by Google into the U.S. with Android One would be an interesting move, especially if it’s backed by a strong advertising campaign.
With the Pixel, Google introduced a mainstream phone that enjoys timely updates. Bringing that kind of attention to budget phones in the U.S. could begin to shake up the low-end of the market. The truth is, many people don’t know that they won’t be getting the latest version of Android after they purchase their phone, so anything Google can do to stress the importance of regular updates will be an important step.
This story, “Google’s low-cost Android One program may expand to the U.S.” was originally published by Greenbot.
Over 30 mn diabetics in India in one decade: Experts
In the last one decade, the number of diabetes patients in India increased by over 30 million due to sedentary lifestyle and erratic schedule mostly common in the age group of 20-40 years, said the country’s leading diabetic experts on Monday.
Their statistics stated that in the early 2000, there were around 31.7 million persons diagnosed with diabetes and by 2015, the figure increased to 62 million.
“This change is due to the erratic food timings, sleep, unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity and other erratic patterns of lifestyle. Such changes in lifestyle leads to insulin resistance wherein body does not use insulin properly,” said Abhay Vispute, Diabetologist at Mumbai-based SRV Hospital.
Though genetic factors contributed to diabetes, Vispute said: “Urban migration and obesity due to rising social standards were the other reasons.”
India has been declared as the “world diabetic capital”, with cases to touch 70 million by 2025.
“Not only youngsters, even children between the age group of 12-16 years are detected with Type 2 diabetes. It is essential that they understand the importance of modifying their lifestyle, also, for those who are detected with diabetes, their siblings or children must also conduct regular check-ups,” said Tejas Shah, Diabetologist at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Mumbai.
The experts also said that 10 per cent of the pre-diabetic patients become diabetes patients every year.
Pradeep Gadge, Chief Diabetologist at Gadge Diabetes Centre, said an increase of 31 million among diabetes patients within 15 yearswas alarming.
“Diabetes at such a young age means lifelong struggle to keep it under control. It is essential to take appropriate measures. Simple ways to take measures against diabetes includes, avoiding junk food, following an active lifestyle, keep check on weight and conduct tests at periodic intervals,” said Gadge.
World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14. Noticing lack of awareness and delay in diagnosis among the patients, Delhi-based Primus hospital recently created a record by screening 900 patients in eight hours.
“It is essential for diabetic patients to not only monitor their blood sugar level but other diabetes inflicted health problems also,” said Ashok Jhingan, a senior diabetologist at Primus Super Speciality Hospital.
Experts have also raised concerns on the rising cases of blindness due to the diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes.
“Diabetes can cause many health problems, especially when it is severe and not in control. One of the serious conditions is called diabetic retinopathy, and is one of the foremost causes of blindness,” said Siddarth Sain, Ophthalmologist at Sharp Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, Delhi.
According to Sain, with an increase in duration of diabetes, the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases.
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“At least 80 per cent of people suffering from diabetes for more than 15 years have some damage in blood vessels of the retina. Severe and uncontrolled diabetes, fluctuating blood sugar levels, high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood cholesterol and diabetic kidney are all conditions which predispose a diabetic to develop changes in the retina,” said Sain.
Kamal B. Kapur, another leading Delhi-based Ophthalmologist said: “Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the small retinal blood vessels. These blood vessels may then begin to leak or swell or develop brush-like branches.”
“This deterioration of the retinal blood vessels causes hindrance in the supply of oxygen and nutrition needed by the retina to remain healthy,” he added.
“Early stages of this condition may cause symptoms like blurred vision. As the disease progresses, one may notice cloudiness of vision, blind spots, floaters or even sudden loss of vision,” he said
Turkish manufacturer General Mobile, which is involved in Google’s Android One efforts, has announced a new Android One smartphone. Dubbed GM 5, the device runs the latest Android 7.0 OS, making it the first Nougat-powered Android One handset.
Specs-wise, the device packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC with quad-core CPU (said to be SD410) and sports a 5-inch HD display. RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB. In terms of camera, the phone features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter.
A 2,500mAh battery is there to keep the lights on. Measuring 140.5 x 69.75 x 9.3mm and weighing in at 160g, the GM 5 comes in Golden, Space Gray, and Black color options.
While the smartphone will go on sale this month, it will only be available in the following 20 markets: Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Pakistan, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
There’s currently no information on the price tag the GM 5 carries.
Windows has a feature it doesn’t like to talk about. While the OS lets you scrawl notes with a stylus, log in with you face (or secure the Web) via Windows Hello, and even order Cortana to set a reminder, what it’s not so eager for you to do, apparently, is use its speech recognition engine to issue commands or take voice dictation.
The reason for its silence may go back 10 years, to when Microsoft product manager Shanen Boettcher demonstrated voice dictation inside Windows Vista—and flubbed it. The technology kept a low profile after that, and today, few users know you can dictate a document within Windows.
If there were ever a time for Windows to try again, though, it would seem to be now, when advances in computers and artificial intelligence provide a much better foundation for the technology. “
“This is such a great question,” said Harry Shum, the executive vice president overseeing Microsoft’s speech-recognition research, as well as Cortana and Bing, when asked about dictation’s future within Microsoft Office. “There is really no reason why it is not playing a much more prominent role yet.”
We decided to give it another chance: We delved into Windows’ voice dictation features to see how they compared to more recent speech-based technologies.
Why speech recognition can’t be too perfect
Some of us still think about voice dictation in the same way Doonesbury lampooned the Apple Newton, turning “I am writing a test sentence” into “Siam fighting atomic sentry.” And you’d be forgiven for thinking so, too: Windows Speech Recognition is powered by the Microsoft Speech Recognizer 8.0, which has remained literally unchanged since Vista. Shum called it a “grandpa” technology.
What has changed, however, is the hardware: Listening for and interpreting speech requires far less processing power than a decade ago. The quality of integrated array mics within PCs like the Surface Book mean that dedicated headsets aren’t necessarily required to achieve superior accuracy. Voice dictation for the masses is here, right?
When I tested Windows’ speech capabilities, however, I experienced firsthand the merciless perfection that’s required for the system to be usable. This story has 1,028 words in it, including subheadings. If you used voice dictation software to write it, a 95.0% accuracy rate would mean you’d have to correct more than fifty mistakes. That gets old fast.
In my tests, based on a methodology I developed for another speech recognition product I’m testing, Windows produced an accuracy rate of 93.6%, That’s pretty bad on paper, and somewhat behind the dedicated software I’m trying. Windows also had an odd habit of interjecting the word “comma” when I was dictating the punctuation mark. The speech community seems split on whether relatively minor mistakes like this are significant.
That, of course, was just the baseline. As anyone who’s used dictation software can tell you, the key to accuracy is training. Over time, a voice dictation program learns your accent, whether you pronounce the “a” in apricot like “bad” or “ape,” and how to filter out our unconscious verbal tics. I’ve seen Microsoft employees claim that, properly trained, Windows’ speech recognition was 99% accurate. Ten mistakes or so per 1,000 words isn’t bad at all.
Very few of us, though, probably want to spend the time training the software. Windows Speech Recognition requires up to 10 minutes to run through a few practice sentences, and it feels like a lifetime. Cortana and Siri don’t require any of the same setup time, as they’ve already been trained on millions of voice samples. There’s something to be said for instant gratification.
What makes Cortana (which you can use on your PC or phone) so much better than Windows’ own ancient voice dictation systems is her link to the massive computational power of the Microsoft cloud. Microsoft can crunch and correlate your voice input together with whatever other data Microsoft knows about you, generating the intelligence that is the soul of Cortana.
Microsoft talks up speech recognition
Given Cortana’s proven skills, you’d think speech would have taken center stage at Microsoft’s Ignite show last week. But Ignite contained exactly zero sessions on voice dictation and apparently just one on speech recognition. Meanwhile, CEO Satya Nadella’s keynote address painted speech recognition as a critical component of Microsoft’s future.
Take Skype Translator, for example. Microsoft’s Star Trek-like universal translator depends upon three different strands of research, according to Nadella: speech recognition, speech synthesis, and machine translation. “So you take those three technologies, apply deep reinforced learning and neural nets and the Skype data and magic happens,” he said.
“Even inside of Word or Outlook when you’re writing a document we now don’t have simple thesaurus-based spell correction,” Nadella added, adding that Office can now even compensate for dyslexia. “We have complete computational linguistic understanding of what you’re building. Or what you’re writing.”
But not what you’re saying, apparently.
During the same speech, Nadella bragged that Microsoft’s speech algorithms achieved aword error rate of 6.9 percent using the NIST Switchboard test. That sounds bad: that’s accuracy of about 93.1 percent. But the Switchboard test uses sample rates of just 8KHz, about the quality of a telephone conversation in the year 2000. Windows Media Audio 10, the codec within OneNote, can capture audio at up to 48KHz, providing much more accurate samples.
I think it’s pretty obvious that the pieces of the puzzle are there, technically. If there’s any obstacle, it might be organizational: As of Thursday, Microsoft’s Office apps were spun out into their own group, away from Cortana and Bing. Shum, however, said that intelligence is still part and parcel of Microsoft’s offerings. “Rest assured that we are infusing AI technology into all Microsoft products,” he said.
It’s possible that Microsoft believes that offices won’t want workspaces filled with the clamor of workers dictating over one another. Or perhaps Microsoft truly believes that its existing speech recognition capabilities within Windows are sufficient to enable dictation for the masses.
If Microsoft truly believes in productivity, though, the future of speech recognition within your PC probably isn’t using Skype to book a hotel in Bangladesh. It’s writing about the experience—but with your voice rather than your fingers.
AIZAWL: Men in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl have much higher probability of developing cancer than their counterparts in any other part of the country, an official said in Aizawl on Monday.
According to the Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR), the probability of contracting any type of cancer in a lifetime (up to 74 years of age) is one in four males in Aizawl against one in seven to eight men in important cities in India.
“Probability of contracting cancer among females in Aizawl is one in five persons, whereas it is one in eight in Mumbai, one in seven in Delhi,” Eric Zomawia, Mizoram nodal officer of cancer and principal investigator for PBCR, told reporters.
As Mizoram tops all other states in India in tobacco consumption, the PBCR found that the major source of cancer in this north-eastern state is tobacco use.
Zomawia, quoting the PBCR, said cancer killed on an average 725 persons every year in Mizoram, which has a population of around 11 lakh.
There were 4,656 new cases of cancer, including 2,089 among females, reported between 2012 and 2014, confirming that, on an average, there were 1,552 new cancer cases per year in the state, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.
According to Aizawl PBCR, as many as 2,176 people died of various types of cancers in three years till 2014. Of the 2,176 cancer victims in three years (2012-2014), 830 were females and 1,346 males.
There are 29 PBCRs in the country with 11 of them in the northeast region, comprising eight states.
My $80 powder-blue-and-orange Xbox Design Lab controller arrived recently, and I’ve fallen in love with its look. Maybe you’re not so easily swayed. Maybe you hate it. That’s fine. More than fine, actually—that’s kind of the whole point.
Last year Microsoft released the $150 high-end Elite controller for a segment of the market traditionally supported by third parties and aftermarket parts dealers. That undertaking was by all accounts a rousing success, way beyond Microsoft’s predictions.
And so at E3 this year Microsoft announced it would be stepping into another traditionally aftermarket realm: custom controllers. Xbox Design Lab lets you construct your own Xbox One S controller: For $20 more than the stock Xbox One S controller (available for its list price of $60 on Amazon), you can select the color of the front, rear, bumpers and triggers, D-pad, thumbsticks, face buttons, and the Menu and View buttons.
I took a spin through the process, which is how I ended up with my GT40-inspired controller. The Design Lab website is easy enough to navigate, though much harder to use effectively. You can create some truly awful monstrosities.
Honestly, the pool of colors to choose from isn’t that broad, especially for some of the components, like the thumbsticks. Many of the colors aren’t complementary, either. It’s much, much easier to design something hideous than attractive. Microsoft can tout however many millions of color combinations, but the reality is there are probably a hundred that look reasonably inoffensive. Maybe a few dozen that look capital-G good.
But you still get quite a bit more choice than I’m used to with first-party controllers. I spent about an hour tinkering with the website, creating various Frankensteins and even a tongue-in-cheek rendition of the stock Xbox One controller before looking at the highest-rated community designs for inspiration and settling on powder blue and orange.
I’m pretty excited by the result. The color here is infused into the plastic, not painted on afterward like with many third-party shops’ custom controllers—a small distinction, but vital to maintaining that “official first-party controller” aesthetic. And the pad looks even better in person than it did on the site—the difference between the matte plastic of the body and the glossy plastic of the bumpers/triggers is a subtle touch I didn’t anticipate.
Place in the lineup
Now, the big question: How does this controller (regardless of custom color or not) stack up against the original Xbox One controllers?
Short answer: The Xbox One Elite controller is still best of the best. That’s no surprise to me—I’ve still got an Elite controller hooked to my PC and use it weekly for various console-first games.
However, the Xbox One S controller is a step up from the original version of the Xbox One controller. It even has a lead over last year’s slight redesign. First and foremost, the Xbox One S controller has Bluetooth. You no longer need to buy Microsoft’s massive Xbox One wireless dongle then try to fit it into one of your USB slots (while blocking half a dozen others in the process).
You can only connect one Xbox One S controller at a time with Bluetooth, but I doubt most people care about that limitation. And it’s rippled into other environments too—Valve issued an update so the Steam Link works seamlessly with the Xbox One S controller through Bluetooth, too. That makes the Xbox One S controller more viable for wireless PC use (say, in the living room) than the Xbox One controller.
It also folds in improvements Microsoft has introduced into the stock Xbox One controller since 2013, like the 3.5mm jack on the bottom of the controller. The requisite chat adapter thingamajig you needed for the original Xbox One controller was an ugly wart, and I’m happy to see it die. You also get the myriad small design tweaks: The rear of the controller is now textured where the original stock Xbox One controller was smooth. The central Xbox logo jewel is slightly smaller, and the contour lines around it have been adjusted. The controller’s overall shape has been slightly tweaked for a more ergonomic grip.
And the bumpers are now softer and squishier—more like the Elite controller. That’s excellent news, because the original Xbox One’s bumpers were so loud and stiff in 2013 as to be obnoxious. Unfortunately the Xbox One S D-pad seems similarly soft and squishy, which I don’t like. It’s still better than the Xbox 360’s mushy D-pad, but it’s a step down from the original Xbox One controller.
My official ranking overall? The Xbox One Elite controller on top, then the Xbox One S, Xbox 360, and in last place the original stock Xbox One controller. The Elite still has quite a bit going for it—even after almost a year of use, my Elite’s analog sticks still glide like they’ve been newly oiled. It’s a beautiful controller, and I’d love for Microsoft to create an Xbox Design Lab for custom Elite controllers.
But the Xbox One S controller, in all its various color variants? Sure, you can get the stock Xbox One S controller for less, but the customization is damn nice. The Xbox Design Lab would’ve been great to have while growing up in a household with three other siblings. We could’ve settled the “No, this is my controller” argument once and for all.
Hell, that’s pretty much my plan for this one. The powder blue controller? That’s mine now. You want to play at my house, you can use the Xbox One controller that came with my console, clicky bumpers and all.
Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat over-the-air update for Android One devices. A reader of ours points out that the Cherry Mobile G1 is one of the many Android One phones that has the update on queue.
Android 7.0 Nougat is ready to be installed on Android One phones
Similarly to what happened with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android One devices receive the latest software update the day after Google releases the Nexus factory images.
If you have an Android One smartphone, we’d like to hear from you if your device has received the software update notification.
We’ve got a splendid Android 7.0 Nougat review for you to check out and see all the latest features Google’s OS has to offer.
Non-profit One Education has an ambitious plan in a competitive PC market: to sell Windows 10 tablets and laptops inspired by the innovative spirit of One Laptop Per Child, which designed groundbreaking low-cost PCs almost a decade ago.
One Education, an OLPC spin-off, is making what it considers successors to OLPC’s XO devices, which are now out-of-date. OLPC released its first XO laptop in 2007, but the organization is now splintered and focusing on education tools.
The first One Education product is the Infinity:One, a tablet with a keyboard attachment for laptop usability. It has the green-and-white color scheme of the XO devices. It is available for US$230, and the devices will ship in August.
The Infinity:One, like the original XO-1, doesn’t have awe-inspiring hardware. But One Education CEO Rangan Srikhanta, an OLPC fan, said this laptop was for schoolkids, not for enthusiasts benchmarking performance.
“We are dealing with primary school children, so their requirements are different to that of adults. Robustness, repairability, cost and basic functionality … are important drivers,” Srikhanta said.
Infinity:One runs Windows 10, and has 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It offers 10 hours of battery life, and offers a 2-megapixel front and 5-megapixel back camera.
It also has USB 2.0 and micro-USB 3.0 ports and a micro-SD slot for expandable storage. A micro-HDMI port can connect the 2-in-1 to an external display.
The screen and processor are the weak points. It has an Atom processor that’s already outdated, as those chips are being phased out by Intel in favor of Pentium and Celeron chips code-named Apollo Lake.
The 10.1-inch screen has a resolution of 1280 x 800, which is no match for today’s 2-in-1s.
The Infinity:One is an offshoot of the Infinity:Concept, a modular laptop design in which individual parts like cameras and batteries can be easily attached or removed. That design was introduced last year but didn’t make it to production.
“We have some interesting plans in the pipeline that we are working with Microsoft and our manufacturer on,” Srikhanta said.
Some ideas that One Education could borrow from the original XO include solar-powered laptops and low-power displays. Those could be valuable in countries where power is scarce. Some other wild XO ideas including riding a bicycle to recharge the battery.
One Education will continue to develop models with newer features inspired by Infinity:Concept. Srikhanta also hopes to ultimately manufacture Infinity:Concept.
Also in development is Infinity:Power, a rack on which up to 10 Infinity:One devices can be charged rapidly. It will sell for $250 when released.
But questions remains about whether One Education will succeed, or suffer the fate of OLPC, which lost focus, had funding issues and ultimately broke up.
One Education has a sustainable business model and has raised millions of dollars, Srikhanta said. It is fulfilling orders from Australian schools, and there is interest from distributors in South America, Africa and the U.K.
Also, many XO laptops are out of date, and these devices could replace them. But cheap Windows laptops are already available, and Chromebooks — which can be acquired for under $300 — are being used by many schools, which poses a big challenge for One Education.
But nonprofits can succeed in the hardware market — Raspberry Pi is a prime example. Meanwhile, Srikantha says One Education remains committed to hardware developmen


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Keeping the venerable Swarovski brand fresh and reaching new fans in Asia is a challenge that Lars Schmidt embraces enthusiastically.
Brands and people are Lars Schmidt's passion.
In August 2019, he followed "a heart's decision" to leave an automobile brand and join Swarovski -- the 126-year-old Austrian producer of the world's highest quality crystal, delicate jewellery and accessories.
As senior vice-president for Asia South and managing director for Southeast Asia and India, Mr Schmidt is pursuing his passion for raising awareness of the Swarovski brand through collaboration with multinational teams and partners to accelerate the company's long-term growth.
The family-owned Swarovski, he says, represents values that he can relate to: diversity and inclusion.
These values are not just reflected in employees who come from all across the spectrum. They are also carved into genuine and authentic product design that empowers individuals, identities and dreams regardless of their origins.
These values, in his view, have become even more important at a critical moment for Swarovski, which has embarked on a transformation to stay relevant to consumers and thrive for another century or more.
The urge for change has come in the face of multiple challenges ranging from the emergence of competitors who provide cheaper crystal products, to the rise of young consumers whose preferences change really rapidly.
The shuttering of retail stores worldwide because of the Covid-19 pandemic has been especially challenging for brands like Swarovski that thrive on the physical experience of showing off their products. Lockdowns have driven consumers into online marketplaces, forcing primarily brick-and-mortar businesses to adapt or die.
"The crisis is a challenge for us where we have to reinvent ourselves," Mr Schmidt tells Asia Focus. "That's why we are currently going through one of the biggest transformations in the 126 years of our history.
"We are changing and adapting a lot of things in terms of how we work and what we do. We're lifting our centre of gravity, where we previously may have positioned ourselves as slightly more commercial and a little bit over-commercialised. We are now positioning ourselves toward attainable luxury."
Swarovski opened its first Instant Wonder store in the Milan Galleria earlier this year and plans 27 more in major locations across the world. Photo courtesy of Swarovski
Based in Singapore, Germany-born Mr Schmidt leads his team in executing business strategy while operating stores in India and Southeast Asian markets. He also has an overarching role in supporting the teams in Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Amid Swarovski's attempt to reinvent itself, Mr Schmidt is also tasked with ensuring his team walks in the same direction to achieve the new vision. This involves changes in pillars such as organisational restructuring, products and distribution.
The company has merged its internal functions and teams under the "One Swarovski" banner with the same vision and direction to take full advantage of its potential and strength.
In May last year, the company appointed the Italian fashion stylist Giovanna Engelbert as its first-ever creative director. Her arrival came with Swarovski rebranding in every touchpoint -- from the redesign of logos and packaging, the release of bold-hued jewellery and new concept stores, to a rebranding campaign that emphasises the diversity of its customers all over the world.
The new brand identity provides a fresh and sparkling look that "celebrates crystal in all its forms". It also offers collective and personal invitations to "ignite your dreams" -- a message that is conveyed through 28 Instant Wonder stores that are being launched in key global markets in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific throughout this year and 2022.
The first store in Southeast Asia is now open at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, following Milan, Paris and New York. It gives a glimpse of the company's future direction, which aims to rejuvenate itself and stay relevant to a new generation while also maintaining its appeal to existing customers.
"As a Swarovski team and as a brand, we always have been bold in the decisions that we have made," Mr Schmidt notes.
"I have more than just confidence in the team that we will be able to implement the new strategy with excellence. We will make sure that Swarovski will be positioned in the way we are planning it to be. We will make sure that, with that new positioning, we will ignite the dreams of our customers throughout the region and globally."
NOT A ONE-MAN SHOW
Mr Schmidt has had a passion for brands since he was a child. It started with luxury cars such as BMW and Porsche, the pride of the country he grew up in. He eventually worked with those brands before joining Swarovski.
These are all "great brands with great people behind them", he says. He perceives luxury brands as embodying the dreams of people, either those behind the brands or the consumers who buy them, who translate their passion into extraordinary goods.
Because people are the core of successful brands, Mr Schmidt values the diversity and experience of his team -- with a good mix of international and local members who clearly understand their particular areas and respective markets.
"It is, fortunately and luckily, not a one-man show," he says. "I'm only a very small piece of the bigger picture. It is, of course, challenging, especially in the current situation. With the team and the experience that all of us have, I think together as one team we can master any kind of challenge.
"Diversity and inclusion are not just two words that we write on our agenda. We actually live by those two words. It's something that is extremely important to me, personally, but also important to me in my role as an employee of the Swarovski brand and company."
The teamwork spirit and a family-owned business model are the strengths of Swarovski that Mr Schmidt believes have helped the company and its brand go through a series of transformations successfully.
Founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski and his partners in Wattens, Austria, the big focus of the business in the early days was on crystal objects and collaborations with well-known designers and fashion houses.
Fast-forward to 1976, when the company introduced its first crystal figurine, a 2.5-inch-tall mouse designed by Max Schreck, which started the whole animal figurine series and a new business line. Swarovski jewellery was introduced a year later, followed by the company's first retail store in the 1980s.
This was a significant shift from being a crystal object supplier to becoming an actual retailer with its own branded products, sales channels and store concept, said Mr Schmidt.
In the 2000s, the fashion industry started to be disrupted by the internet and e-commerce. Swarovski adapted with another brave decision to launch its first online shop in Europe in 2001, one of the first global luxury brands experimenting with the format.
"I think it gives us a bit of an advantage that we have 20 years of experience in e-commerce, but also, this time now with the crisis," says Mr Schmidt.
"The company and the brand have proven that they can reinvent themselves, whether it's through a crisis or whether it's through a change in customer behaviours, trends or preferences."
COLLABORATION IN DIGITAL ERA
Moving forward in the digitised era, Swarovski has expanded its digital footprint in many regions, including Southeast Asia and India where e-commerce has been booming during the pandemic.
The company launched an online shop for Malaysia and Singapore this year. India and Thailand will follow in early 2022. Customers can tour the store virtually by visiting Swarovski.com. The service includes video calls with store staff who show off the latest products and help place orders online.
The company has also begun selling products via Line Shopping Thailand, Zalora Singapore, and Farfetch, a luxury fashion retail platform headquartered in London.
"Digitisation is important. But we don't look at these online platforms only as a sales channel," says Mr Schmidt. "The world is also evolving when it comes to how we communicate, and we try to look at the customer journey and the customer experience from a holistic perspective.
"To make it seamless, it's not [a choice between] an online shop and a retail store. It needs to be omnichannel where it's all connected and all seamless for the customer."
Online stores can partially compensate for losses caused by retail outlet shutdowns during the pandemic. But he thinks that they can't replace the offline retail world, especially not for a brand like Swarovski that is well developed and mature in several markets with a high density of stores.
"To me, online is just one part of the customer journey. For brands like Swarovski and for most of the other luxury and attainable luxury brands, I think offline retail will remain very important," he points out.
Along with digitisation, Swarovski will pursue more collaboration with partners, fashion brands and designers. It has a good record of collaborating with global brands including Adidas, Nike and Chanel to develop products from shoes to bags and accessories.
The company has released collections of popular characters, including those from Line Friends, Harry Potter and Disney, in partnership with their creators. The collaborations are even extended into the sphere of the Korean Wave, in a nod to the influence of the South Korean entertainment industry on global consumers' behaviours and fashion trends.
For example, Swarovski has partnered with Korean production teams to place its products in shows, including the 2019 romantic television series Crash Landing on You. The leading female character played by Son Ye Jin was often seen wearing Swarovski jewellery.
"We are very strong with those collaborations, and we have a long experience of more than a hundred years of collaborating with friends having a lot of potential," says Mr Schmidt. "Collaboration is also something that the young generation or next generation is really interested in.
"We all know, for example, whenever Supreme and Louis Vuitton or any of these brands collaborate, there are massive queues outside of the stores," he says, referring to the American streetwear brand and the French luxury icon. "Those products are sold out immediately, and usually there is a younger customer who is going after those products."
EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE
Mr Schmidt believes that living in Asia for nine years, plus travelling extensively throughout the region, has helped him better understand people, culture and dynamics. In return, it has improved his ability to manage multinational teams better and smoother.
"Understanding, especially in a diverse region like ours, how people are different and how they see things from other perspectives is important," he says. "Because only then you can really understand how they think, and see how you can support them and how you can get the best out of them.
"That is what I have learned and what I truly believe in. The beautiful thing in this is to realise that we are not all the same."
He enjoys meeting and talking with people to broaden his horizons, he adds. "I think we are all a result of our experience and the exposure we have and the people we spend time with."
In his free time, he likes to go running. He's passionate about fitness and exercise, and also enjoys sailing -- something he hopes to do soon as travel opportunities start to open up. He also likes to visit malls to explore new brands and their concepts, and learn how they reinvent themselves -- an activity that comes naturally for someone who works in the fashion and retail industry.
"It's important for me that I maintain my passion for what I do, especially from a work perspective, but also, in my personal life. At the same time, [I] try to have a good balance between work and life, especially when everything is virtual -- I often feel that we are all working even more than we did before Covid."
And despite shifting to the luxury fashion industry, he will always have a passion for cars.
"I think I will always have that. It is in my German blood," he notes with a grin.


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BlackBerry has announced that they are to open up a chatbot application programming interface (API) for BBM, enabling new and existing businesses on BBM with a conversational interface
September 27, 2016
Germany officially bans Facebook and WhatsApp Data Sharing
August 26, 2016
UK Information Commissioner’s Office to investigate WhatsApp-Facebook Data Sharing
Yesterday, WhatsApp revealedÃ‚Â plans to share the mobile numbers and last seen status of its users with parent company Facebook for ad-targeting and marketing purposes.
August 2, 2016
Apple to replace Hand Gun Emoji With a Water Pistol
Apple will be replacing its hand gun emoji with a far less controversial bright green and orange water pistol in the next version of its operating system, iOS 10.


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SCA Perth knows that WA is thirsty for some fun and have partnered with Bar Pop to bring the Perth Craft Beer Festival to Claremont Showgrounds in September 2020.
SCA’s partnership involves the Hit92.9 and mix94.5 brands, and both are frothing over the opportunity to get behind a WA-grown event, particularly with a line-up including beer, food and live entertainment.
SCA Perth General Manager, Erica McGee, said the partnership is a great reflection of SCA’s commitment to supporting local businesses. “We have the perfect platform to help promote the Festival, and in doing so, will also be supporting its local breweries and food vendors who have otherwise had a tough 2020.”
“The freedoms we are now experiencing in WA mean that we need to support these businesses in getting back on their feet – and the Perth Craft Beer Festival is the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
Bar Pop Head of Commercial & Marketing, Mark Bryant, said, “In addition to a strong creative synergy, we are looking forward to utilising SCA’s reach across the metropolitan area and into the regions, to draw people from all over the state for an exciting weekend of festivities.”


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Length of vehicle ownership in U.S. up 23%
Feb. 21, 2012—The length of vehicle ownership for new and used cars among U.S. consumers has increased 23 percent since the third quarter of 2008, according to an analysis of U.S. vehicle registrations by market intelligence firm Polk.
The average length of ownership for new vehicles has risen to a record 71.4 months—nearly six years—while the average length of ownership for used vehicles is 49.9 months. Combined, new and used vehicle owners are holding on to their vehicles for an average of 57 months, according to Polk.
Polk said the following factors are contributing to the increased length of vehicle ownership:
• Consumer spending remains conservative in a weak job market with relatively high unemployment rates.
• Many buyers have longer term financing options to secure more affordable payments.
• Vehicles produced in recent years have been more durable and more reliable than their predecessors. In addition, several vehicle manufacturers are offering longer warranties for new vehicles, which reduce the risk for consumers who want to keep vehicles longer.
Polk said the trend of increased lengths of vehicle ownership combined with an increased average age of vehicles—which is about 10.8 years for cars and light trucks—offer a promising outlook for the automotive aftermarket.
“As the aftermarket prepares to service this aging vehicle population, this creates concerns about appropriate parts inventory,” said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader for Polk. “As a result of our analysis, we’re currently working with customers in the aftermarket to help them prepare for increasing demand throughout the entire supply chain.”
Visit Polk’s website for additional details on its vehicle ownership analysis.


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500cc Honda Bikes Are Coming to India: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has recently launched the CRF1100L Africa Twin in the Indian market in addition to revealing their upcoming plans for the year 2020. According to recent reports, the brand will be launching its powerful 500cc motorcycle portfolio in India later this year.
Since the Honda CB300R, CBR650R, CB1000R and the Goldwing are already available in India while the 2020 Africa Twin has been recently launched, the brand will further offer the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade to its customers in the coming days.
As the brand’s current portfolio features a huge gap between the 300cc and the 650cc range, the brand is expected to fill it out with the addition of its 500cc motorcycle lineup which will be brought to India via CKD routes and will cater to various platforms.
At present, the 500cc line up from the brand includes the likes of Honda Rebel 500, CB500F, CBR500R, and the CB500X, all of which have been recently revised with updated engines as well as a host of new cosmetic updates. The Honda CMX500 Rebel is a cruiser motorcycle while the Honda CB500F has been offered a streetfighter stance. The Honda CBR500R is a supersport tourer while the CB500X is an adventure motorcycle.
Powering the Honda CB500F, CBR500R, and the CB500X is a 471cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine that is capable of offering maximum power of 47HP and a peak torque of 43Nm. On the other hand, the similar engine on the Rebel 500 is capable of offering 45HP and 44.6Nm. All the four 500cc Honda bikes have been equipped with a slipper clutch while have been returned recently to offer more powerful rides between 3000rpm-7000rpm.
The CB500F, CBR500R and CB500X were updated back in 2018 while the Rebel 500 was officially revealed at the EICMA 2019. The 500cc lineup from the brand is currently responsible for more than 35% of its sales in the European markets. As far as the pricing is concerned, the 500cc Honda bikes are expected to get an ex-showroom price range of around INR 4.50-5.50 lakhs in India.


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Russia boosts lumber exports, reduces log shipments
In 2018, Russia continued to reduce the exports of logs and increase the exports of lumber, according to Lesprom Network. The export volume of these products became almost equal, 19.03 million m3 (-2.1 percent) and 18.7 million m3 (+14.9 percent) respectively, according to the report of Russian forest-based industry in 2018.
In 2018, the Russian government continued to implement policy to reduce the exports of raw wood and stimulate internal consumption of timber industry products. According to the report, the main events of 2018 in the Russian forest based industry were:
— Adoption of Strategy of forestry development of the Russian Federation until 2030.
— Establishment of new Department of forest and consumer goods industry in the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation.
— Appointment of new Head of the Ministry of natural resources of the Russian Federation.
— Raising the entry barrier to priority investment projects.
— New initiatives of the State to strengthening of control over the exporters.
Production of pellets in Russia in 2018 increased by 4.9 percent to 1,410 thousand tons, a new historical record. 2018 is the sixth year when production is growing. At the same time, Russia increased its market share in the EU, the largest consumer of pellets, by only 0.9 p.p. The supplies of pellets to the European Union in 2018 increased by 19.1 percent. The United States and Canada have increased their shares here for 9 p.p. and 2.7 p.p. respectively.
At the end of 2018, the total production capacity for the OSB panels in Russia reached about 2 million m3. Last year, 1.2 million m3 of OSB panels were produced and 1.3 million m3 consumed. See http://lesprom.com.


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SAN FRANCISCO Instagram, the mobile photo service owned by Facebook Inc, is expanding its nascent advertising business beyond the United States and will begin showing ads to users in Britain, Canada and Australia, the company said on Monday.
The ads will start to appear on versions of the service in the three countries later this year, Instagram said in a post on its official blog.
A Facebook spokesman said that Instagram will initially work closely with a handful of advertisers in each country. Facebook introduced ads within Instagram in the U.S. in November, working with brands such as Levi's and ice cream company Ben and Jerry's.
Instagram said on Monday that the U.S. ads have in some cases generated results "well above the ad industry's average for performance," though it did not provide details.
Ads on Instagram, which has more than 200 million users, are considered an important source of new revenue growth for Facebook, which acquired the popular mobile service for $1 billion in 2012.
Still, Facebook has sought to temper investor expectations of an immediate revenue boost. In April, Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said that the company would take its time rolling out ads on Instagram. "We don't see the need or the urge to ramp this as quickly as we possibly can," Sandberg said.
(Reporting by Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Bernard Orr)
Trending On Reuters
Tesla Motors Inc told U.S. Senate Commerce Committee staff it is considering two theories that may help explain what led to the May 7 fatal crash that killed a Florida man who was using the car's "Autopilot" system, a person familiar with the meeting told Reuters on Friday. Full Article | Related Story
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SINGAPORE: Communications and Information Minister S Iswaran on Friday (Feb 15) urged Singaporeans to be responsible, alert and secure online, as he outlined measures on implementing Digital Defence – Singapore’s sixth and newest pillar of Total Defence.Being responsible and alert refers to fighting fake news; being secure means taking steps against cyberattacks and online scams.This is crucial for Singapore to be a vibrant Smart Nation, Mr Iswaran said, noting that a digital economy creates opportunities for businesses and people, while a digital government delivers better services to citizens and companies.“Whether we succeed or fail in this important endeavour will depend critically on whether we also have a strong Digital Defence,” Mr Iswaran said at a Total Defence Day commemoration event held at Fort Canning Green.His speech comes after Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced the addition of Digital Defence on Thursday, signalling the importance of … [Read more...] about Don’t forward fake news, use strong passwords: S Iswaran on putting Digital Defence into action
Check strong password
By Kerry K. Taylor Special to the Star Mon., June 4, 2018 The best thing about being a victim of a data breach is nothing. I should know. Within the last two years I’ve been notified of eight instances where my private data may have been hacked at an organization I patronize. My most recent security breach notification came last week when fraudsters usurped data from around 90,000 banking customers of BMO and CIBC-owned Simplii Financial. Like many Canadians, I’ve also endured breaches at Equifax Canada, Uber, Bell Canada, PC Points, Air Miles, and Facebook. I wish my hack attacks were limited to financial institutions, loyalty programs, and telecommunications companies, but last month one of my gig economy employers — the CBC — was robbed of a “piece of computer equipment” containing the employment records of likely myself and 20,000 other possible future identity theft victims. If guarding my chequing account wasn’t bad … [Read more...] about 5 ways to protect your personal finances after a data breach
While it is true that increased connectivity has made it possible to communicate with our loved ones across the globe with ease, this increased connectivity has also made privacy an increasingly rare commodity. Just Google your name and you would be surprised to find out how much of your personal information is out there. Not just the bad guys but businesses are also interested in obtaining your personal information, such as email address, phone number, social media profiles, credit card information and home address among other things. Bad guys are even hacking into data-based POS systems in stores and restaurants to steal your personal information. The only difference is bad guys will use this information to commit identity fraud, while commercial organizations use it to collect information about your online activities that will allow them to send you targeted ads. While you can’t avoid making online transactions or opening social media accounts, there are still ways … [Read more...] about Six ways to protect your privacy online
So-called 'cryptojacking' is spreading like wildfire across the web By Pranshu Bajpai and Richard Enbody May 13, 2018 10:41 AM (UTC+8) Share Tweet Linkedin Print Email Share 0 Comment 0 Right now, your computer might be using its memory and processor power – and your electricity – to generate money for someone else, without you ever knowing. It’s called “cryptojacking,” and it is an offshoot of the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Instead of minting coins or printing paper money, creating new units of cryptocurrencies, which is called “mining,” involves performing complex mathematical calculations. These intentionally difficult calculations securely record transactions among people using the cryptocurrency and provide an objective record of the “order” in which transactions are conducted. The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox The user who successfully completes each … [Read more...] about Is someone else making money on your computer?
Technology CSA says when it came to password security, there was "no improvement" in management habits last year. 23 Apr 2018 03:02PM (Updated: 23 Apr 2018 03:10PM) Bookmark SINGAPORE: There were some bright spots in terms of how people had better cybersecurity practices last year, but more still can be done to improve password management and software updates, an annual survey by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore's (CSA) found. The 2017 findings showed that more respondents are exercising caution when it comes to online transactions and app downloads, the press release on the survey said. The proportion of respondents who proceeded with online transactions without first checking the authenticity of the websites dropped by 18 percentage points to 20 per cent last year from 38 per cent in 2016 . For those downloading mobile apps, there was a 7 percentage point increase among those who did so via an official app store, from 83 per cent in 2016 to 90 per cent last … [Read more...] about More caution shown for online transactions, but people still complacent about cyber threats: CSA survey


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The foldable smartphone that has long been anticipated was finally released but with some bit of surprise. We had expected either Samsung or LG or even Huawei to be the first to release a model. The Microsoft Surface tablet was also tipped to be among the early birds but that wasn’t the case. Instead, a relatively unknown Chinese OEM named Royole Technology became the first company to launch a true foldable phone – the Royole Flexpai.
The device was announced in a ceremony in China a few days ago and just yesterday more details of the specifications were revealed. A hands-on video of the Flexpai foldable phone has now appeared online, giving us a clear view of the device. The video also shows the device in action both in the tablet mode and when folded. However, we must point out that the design looks quite rough, and may still receive some fine tuning before the final release. There is no doubt that this is still a concept that may take a while before going commercial. For one, Qualcomm is yet to officially announce the Snapdragon 8150 chipset and that may not find is way into smartphones until next year. However, it is an impressive design that we hope will speed up the release of more foldable hones just the same way the Mi Mix gave birth to the full-screen phone design trend.
As a reminder, the Royole FlexPai sports a 7.8-inch AMOLED screen with a 1920 x 1440 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 800 series processor which is clocked at 2.8GHz while an Adreno 640 GPU powers the graphics.
This is the "world's first foldable screen phone" released by Rouyu Technology, which will use the Snapdragon 8150 processor, but its design is very rough, just to seize the "first", this is a futures product. pic.twitter.com/M0v9o2z0Bw
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) October 31, 2018
The foldable phone will come in 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, 6GB RAM +128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 512GB storage versions. It also packs a 16MP + 20MP dual camera set up at the rear with a f/1.8 aperture size and optical image stabilization. The device packs a 3,800mAh battery with support for 5V/5A fast charging via their proprietary Ro-Charge technology. It also has support for dual SIM (nano only), storage expansion (256GB max), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and Wi-Fi. Supported LTE bands are 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 34, 38, 39, 40, and 41. There is a USB-C port for charging and audio. There’s no word yet on its release.


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OW Bunker Announces Plans for U.S. Expansion
OW Bunker, one of the world's leading suppliers and traders of marine fuel, announced its intention to launch new operations in the U.S. With an anticipated commencement date of May, 2012, the move will provide the company with a complete global offering for its customers.
OW Bunker already has a significant presence in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East, and has delivered sustained expansion and growth over the past five years.
OW Bunker will launch its first trading operation in Houston with further plans to expand on the East and then West Coast. The U.S. office will also act as an internal purchasing center for the whole OW Bunker Group, ensuring that international customers have access to the best products at the best prices, delivered on time, when and where they want them.
Hans Staal, recently a manager with OW Bunker Malta, will be the Branch Manager of the new operation. Staal will take responsibility for ensuring that the company's best practices and quality standards are replicated in the U.S. and that customers receive the full service, end-to-end bunkering solution that OW Bunker is known for.
“Expanding into the U.S. is a natural move for OW Bunker, as we look to further consolidate our global leadership position,” said Götz Lehsten, Executive Vice President, OW Bunker. “We have a presence in every other major market around the world, and we know that launching operations in the U.S. provides real value to our international customers, who want to be able to deal with OW Bunker representatives wherever they are in the world.”
“Being in the locality, building quality working relationships with local suppliers, and benefitting from their local market knowledge and experience enables us to ensure continuous smooth operations and a high level of service. We are also confident that local customers will benefit from our global infrastructure and network, our capabilities in providing bespoke fuel procurement solutions, and our financial strength, which enables us to provide ship owners and operators with flexible prices, which helps them to combat the current financial pressures within the market.”


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Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, GPX Moto set to launch new, four stroke, off-road racing models alongside TSE 250R two-stroke from May 2020.
GPX Moto have set a May 2020 arrival date (in the USA) for their 2021 FSE 450R and FSE 300R off-road models. The new FSE (four stroke enduro) machines will arrive in the two capacities and in much the same spec as the already established TSE 250R two-stroke – standing alongside the 'softer' four stroke models also in the range (air-cooled XTR 250 model shown above).
Specification highlights of the new FSE 450/300R:
450/300cc, EFi motors
CNC triple clamps and hubs
Skid plate with linkage guard, hand guards, frame guards,
LED display and headlight
HD Enduro X wheels
We have not tested these bikes at all but have noticed GPX machines are beginning to prove themselves at the races including finishing the testing 2020 Mint 400 desert race and taking a class-winning result at the 2020 Blueberry Hill Hare Scramble. Since we reported on the new 250 two-stroke model, some two years ago now, the range has grown to also include more trail-friendly four stroke models and kids bikes.
The pick of the off-road/enduro-focused range and prices:
TSE 250R six-speed, two-stroke MSRP $4999.99
FSE 300R six-speed, four stroke MSRP $4999.99
FSE 450R six-speed, four stroke MSRP $5599.99
FSE 250R six-speed, four stroke, MSRP $N/A
FSE 250E five-speed, air-cooled, MSRP $3499
Walkaround video of the FSE 250R and FSE 250E models:
More information: GPXMoto.com
Photo Credit: GPX MotoJon PearsonEnduro21 Editor and Bike Testerjon.firstname.lastname@example.org


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McDonald's Chicken version of their classic two-tiered Big Mac burger is set to return at the beginning of March, for a limited time, after previously selling out in only 10 days.
The Chicken Big Mac had to be pulled from menus across the UK in February and has been unavailable for the last two weeks. The fast food chain's customers were “devastated” after it confirmed it was pulling the burger due to “popular demand” earlier this month.
McDonald's fans will only have a couple of weeks to get their hands on the popular chicken burger, as it will be on sale until March 15, or until stocks last.
A McDonald's spokesman said: "We have been delighted by our customers’ reaction to the limited-edition Chicken Big Mac. Thank you to everyone who has made this the UK and Ireland’s most popular launch ever. The demand has been incredible, and we’re pleased to share its back but for a limited time only.’
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The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Enterprise Singapore and the National Research Foundation (NRF) yesterday announced that the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) and the Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SWITCH) would come together as SFF x SWITCH to synergise across the themes of FinTech and Deep Tech. SFF x SWITCH will run from 11 to 15 November 2019.
Mr Peter Ong, Chairman, Enterprise Singapore said, “SFF x SWITCH is the foremost platform to bring together tech communities and startups around the world to bridge the gap between technology and finance for deep tech and FinTech.”
“Singapore hosts a vibrant community of innovation enablers, enterprises and startups to drive co-innovation of new solutions relevant to global needs and modern challenges. Our strong connectivity to the region will serve as a gateway for enterprises and market-driven solutions to reach Asia and beyond.”
The Conference will feature for the first time the theme of sustainability, and cover Financial Services; Industry 4.0 – Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud and Cybersecurity; Financial Inclusion; Green Finance; and Technology Beyond Finance.
Competition for the Global innovation community
There will be three Competitions for the global innovation community: Global FinTech Hackcelerator, which matches innovative startup solutions to address industry’s problem statements; SLINGSHOT 2019, an international startup pitching competition; and FinTech Awards, which recognises innovative financial technology solutions. Finalists from the competitions will showcase their solutions at SFF x SWITCH.
Dr Cheong Wei Yang, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, NRF, said, “This collaboration between SWITCH and the Singapore FinTech Festival will consolidate our national efforts to create value from science and technology – starting from the capabilities built in our research base, through to innovation and commercialisation by our enterprises.
“We will focus on deep tech areas relevant to Singapore’s growth as a Global-Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise. We are excited to see more researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and companies coming together from all around the world, to benefit society and economy through innovation in new business models and novel technologies.”said Deputy Chief Executive Officer, NRF.
Singapore FinTech Festival is organised by MAS, in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore, and in collaboration with SingEx Holdings. SWITCH is organised by Enterprise Singapore, NRF, and Intellectual Property Intermediary (IPI). Last year, the two events together drew close to 57,000 delegates from almost 130 countries.


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Kevin · January 12th, 2022
Kevin · October 13th, 2021
In celebration of the Japanese Tsunami Moon Festival.
Kevin · September 28th, 2021
The IS F SPORT Mode Black S and IS F SPORT Mode Glitter.
Kevin · September 20th, 2021
All GX models will also get a new touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
Kevin · August 5th, 2021
Kevin · March 19th, 2021
Kevin · November 16th, 2020
Kevin · July 26th, 2020
Debuts new Grecian Water color.
Kevin · July 23rd, 2020
Kevin · April 28th, 2020
Kevin · April 6th, 2020
Kevin · March 18th, 2020
A partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Kevin · March 8th, 2020
Kevin · January 21st, 2020
Kevin · January 13th, 2020
Kevin · January 10th, 2020
Nori Green exterior & Saddle Tan interior.
Kevin · August 14th, 2019
Kevin · July 3rd, 2019
Kevin · September 11th, 2018
GS, IS, CT, LX, RX, NX.
Kevin · September 6th, 2018
Kevin · August 23rd, 2018
Kevin · August 2nd, 2018
Kevin · March 13th, 2018
Blacked out exterior details for the distinguished gentleman.
Kevin · November 20th, 2017
The LX will be sold with a TRD body kit in dealerships across Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Kevin · September 5th, 2017
Blacked out spindle grille and black accents, available in five exterior colors.
Kevin · November 30th, 2016
Black side mirrors, black grille, black wheels, available in October.
Kevin · September 29th, 2016
Lexus UK has released photos and details on the new CT 200h SPORT package.
Kevin · December 9th, 2015
Lexus Spain has announced a new CT 200h SPORT edition with blacked out grille, roof, and wheels.
Kevin · August 19th, 2015
Two limited edition CT 200h trims have been released: The Chocolate edition and the Dark Knight edition.
Kevin · April 12th, 2015
Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin weighs in on what the future holds for Lexus turbochargers.
Kevin · March 17th, 2015
There's a new Lexus CT 200h two-tone special edition now available in Europe.
Kevin · February 2nd, 2015
Let’s circle back to the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this month and take a closer look at the Lexus show booth. On display was the RC F GT3 car and something else entirely: the RC F CCS Parts Concept. Here are some photos from Japanese website Response: Most important is this graphic behind the RC …
Kevin · January 19th, 2015
While in Las Vegas for SEMA, I stopped by Lexus of Henderson for a quick visit. On display in front of the dealership was a Crafted Line GS 350 F SPORT — this was my first time seeing the special edition in person: The interior has red contrast stitching and Shimamoku wood trim: There’s some …
Kevin · November 25th, 2014
The limited-edition Lexus NX designed by musician Will.i.Am will be unveiled this week as part of Paris Fashion Week, and the above image has been released as a teaser for the custom model. (Going from the image, the NX exterior looks unchanged — it does appear that a custom color has been used, and the …
Kevin · September 21st, 2014
The Japan-only Lexus HS 250h will receive its second special edition of the year with this new Harmonious Leather Interior in Spindle Red: Any exterior color can be chosen (including Atomic Silver), and an exclusive Starlight Black option is available with the package. The HS 250h Harmonious Leather Interior II will launch in November and …
Kevin · September 19th, 2014
Lexus Russia is offering a 25th Anniversary Edition LX 570 with an exterior style treatment much like the USA’s CRAFTED Line . Blacked out are the front grille, front bumper, fog lamps, side mirrors, door handles, roof rails, and rear diffuser — the special edition is also equipped with 20-inch black wheels, and features tinted …
Kevin · September 3rd, 2014
The CRAFTED LINE special edition Lexus models were on display this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — here are some photos from the Lexus USA Facebook page: The Crafted Line is a group of special edition vehicles with an exclusive Ultra White/Obsidian exterior and two-tone black/red interior. The LS, GS, RX, ES, & …
Kevin · August 19th, 2014
Lexus Japan have announced the [RX Radiant Aero Style special edition] package (http://lexus.jp/models/rx/ras/index.html) with some exterior modifications and a unique interior color scheme: The special edition includes a blacked out front bumper to match the spindle grille, LED fog lamps, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and a very nice black & red leather interior. The Radiant Aero …
Kevin · July 14th, 2014
Lexus Spain has released a special edition IS F SPORT to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Lexus brand — the car debuted at the Madrid Auto Show today, here are some photos from Autonocion: As expected, this IS special edition has the TRD body kit installed — other exterior upgrades include the RC-style carbon …
Kevin · May 20th, 2014
Lexus Japan will release a special edition HS 250h in June with the exclusive Harmonious Leather Interior II package. The interior features black & white leather with violet highlights, along with beautiful birds eye maple & ash wood trim — here are some photos: Any exterior color can be chosen, though an exclusive Starlight Black …
Kevin · May 15th, 2014
The Lexus LX 570 Supercharger first seen last week has officially launched in Kuwait — here’s a photo gallery of the special edition in black: The supercharged 5.7L V8 engine pushes out 450 hp, up from the 383 hp of the standard LX model — along with the upgraded engine, there’s also an exclusive body …
Kevin · April 29th, 2014
Lexus & Gazoo Racing have announced that an “enhanced sports car research vehicle” called the LFA Code X will be racing in this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race: Compared to the LFA’s base 4.8-liter V10 engine, the research vehicle’s engine displacement has been increased to 5.3 liters and system output and torque has been fine-tuned …
Kevin · January 10th, 2014
Lexus Europe has announced a special edition RX 450h with a blacked-out bumper color, LED headlights, exclusive 7-spoke 19″ alloy wheels, and an optional panoramic roof — here’s a couple high resolution photos without the glass roof: Even on a black RXh, the bumper stands out from the exterior color: I’m a big fan of …
Kevin · October 25th, 2013
Lexus Japan has released the Dynamic Sports Tuning special edition IS F.
Kevin · September 5th, 2013
To mark the completion of the 500 LFA production run, Lexus created an advanced F SPORT bicycle with the same CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) used in the supercar body.
Kevin · June 4th, 2013
A new Lexus LFA prototype has been spotted at the Nürburgring in Germany.
Kevin · October 10th, 2012
Lexus Japan will be releasing the CT 200h with a special-edition Creative Textile interior.
Kevin · September 24th, 2012
The mystery Japanese Lexus LFA roadster first seen in January has been spotted again on an unidentified racetrack.
Kevin · September 3rd, 2012
The chromed-up Lexus LFA from Australia has been spotted on the streets of Brisbane.
Kevin · August 31st, 2012
From the weekend race at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, here’s footage of Ken Gushi and the IS F CCS-R on their run up the mountain
Kevin · August 15th, 2012
After a month-long delay caused by a wildfire in Colorado, Ken Gushi & the Lexus IS F CCS-R are set to race in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this weekend.
Kevin · August 8th, 2012
Ken Gushi and the IS F CCS-R have been confirmed for the new date.
Kevin · July 5th, 2012
Despite the two mystery prototypes currently racing around Nürburgring, Lexus has no special edition LFAs planned.
Kevin · July 2nd, 2012
A second mystery Lexus LFA has been spotted outside of Nürburgring in Germany, with this one apparently sporting a AD-B decal.
Kevin · July 1st, 2012
Lexus USA has quietly launched a SportDesign package for the GX 460.
Kevin · May 29th, 2012
From out of nowhere, a Lexus LFA roadster has appeared during a D1GP Drift demonstration at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Kevin · January 13th, 2012
Lexus Europe is offering a RX 450h Special Edition with some nice exterior upgrades, including the full-glass panoramic roof.
Kevin · December 30th, 2011
Just last week, I shared a video of the Lexus IS F CCS-R racing concept at an event in Japan — now here’s footage of the same vehicle taking part in the VLN 10 race at the Nürburgring a couple weeks back.
Kevin · November 16th, 2011
The Lexus IS F CCS-R made an appearance at the 2011 Motorsport Japan festival in Odaiba, and the resulting video footage is worth watching just for the sound alone.
Kevin · November 11th, 2011
Lexus New Zealand is releasing an IS F Red Edition with a special Starlight Black & Red Leather color combo that’s limited to just 10 lucky owners.
Kevin · November 8th, 2011
After a weekend of recuperating, I'm ready to share a selection of photos from last week's trip to SEMA in Las Vegas, where Lexus debuted the all-new 2013 GS 350 F Sport and a host of tuned vehicles.
Kevin · November 7th, 2011
Also on display at the Lexus SEMA exhibit will be the VIP Auto Salon IS 350C, a super-modified convertible fully equipped with a Rotex Supercharger kit by Apexi & a Joe-Z exhaust that bumps up the power to 386 hp & 372lb-ft of torque.
Kevin · October 26th, 2011
As mentioned previously, Lexus will also be showing cars from Five Axis & VIP Auto Salon at SEMA next week, and today the spec sheets were released — let’s start with the Project GS F Sport by Five Axis.
Kevin · October 26th, 2011
SEMA starts next Tuesday in Las Vegas, and as part of the tradeshow, Lexus USA will be debuting the 2013 GS 350 F-Sport along with show cars from Five Axis & VIP Auto Salon.
Kevin · October 24th, 2011
The Lexus HS 250h has proven popular enough in Japan to warrant two special Harmonious Leather Interior color combinations.
Kevin · October 10th, 2011
Lexus USA has also announced the ES 350 *Special Edition* for 2012.
Kevin · October 2nd, 2011
The Lexus LS 460 Sport will be getting its own special edition for 2012, with an Obsidian exterior and a unique two-tone black and topaz beige interior with contrast stitching & black leather trim.
Kevin · October 2nd, 2011


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Transient Cinematic Trailer (gamescom 2020)
In Transient, the latest from developer Stormling Studios, players will delve deep into a dystopian world and investigate what is happening to you and your friends in a domed city.
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By KRISTIN FARLEY 6 News Anchor/Reporter
WAYNESBORO (WKRN) - A couple had goats for fun in California before they decided to move to Waynesboro and get more serious about their hobby in their retirement.
Jim and Gayle Tanner came to Tennessee in 1999 and bought a piece of property about as removed from the daily hustle and bustle as you can get.
"We didn't plan on buying it," said Jim. "We whimsically made an offer and they accepted the offer, and you get one of those moments, 'Oh my God, what did we do here?'"
The property is nestled in a remote part of Wayne County near the city of Waynesboro.
Jim retired from a career in construction management and Gayle owned a competitive swimming facility before coming to Tennessee.
Since then, the couple has built Bonnie Blue Farm from scratch.
"It's one of those things be careful what you wish for," Jim said. "So we'll start a dairy farm and it's a hobby that got completely out of hand."
The farm produces goat cheese and feta, both of which have won national awards.
"Within about a year, our sales trajectory was going up like that and it still is. We sell everything we make," Jim added.
He said they also have aged cheeses and are one of few goat dairies that make it.
"And we're the only in the state, that I know if, that has a cheese aging cave," Jim explained.
The cave is built right into the side of a hill on their property and took years to complete.
Inside is the perfect environment for the cheeses to get better with age.
Although the work is hard and the hours long, Gayle and Jim said they love what they do and wouldn't have it any other way.
Bonnie Blue Farm, now a grade-A dairy farm, sells their cheeses to restaurants in Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Huntsville.
More information on the farm and where to buy their cheeses is available on their website.


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A property management firm says the private rental sector is effectively disadvantaged in the fight against climate change because it does not have the financial benefits given to individuals who install and use car charging facilities.
Earlier this month the government said it would bring forward the ban on the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from 2040 to 2035.
By the end of 2019, 265,000 electric car models were on UK roads, and the market is expected to grow to 56 million by 2040. While some people remain reluctant, with more than 350 new EV models to debut by 2025, and as vehicles prices decline, electric cars will only become more common.
As part of that, the government’s Road to Zero strategy has proposed that by 2025 every new residential and non-residential building with an associated car parking space should have an EV charging station.
But while individuals can apply for grants to help cover installation costs, there is currently no such scheme for landlords.
“The costly requirements to install, operate and maintain an EV charging station present significant barriers. Furthermore, there are longer-term billing complexities to consider” explains Joseph Gurvits, chief executive of Y&Y Management.
He says there are three main EV charger types to choose from: slow, fast and rapid, taking from about eight hours to just 30 minutes for a substantial or 100 per cent charge on electric vehicles.
Gurvits says: “However, landlords with properties in city centres could investigate the options for covering the costs by providing rapid charging points as a part of parking rental schemes. Another approach could be for landlords to grant a longer-term concession to a charging provider, which is then responsible for operating and maintaining charging points within a development and recovering their investment from their customers.”
On top of all that, he says it would currently be difficult to isolate the electricity used in charging individual cars that can then be billed to the appropriate tenants. Instead, most properties find the cost of charging falls to the whole building to be later recouped in the service charge.
“Installing charging stations is not yet an easy process. Ultimately, more conversations need to be had with the government to highlight the current challenges landlords face and the role that we could play in the electric revolution if better supported. Landlords have great untapped potential to aid the road to zero carbon emissions” he concludes.


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Companies seeking freshers who are quick to learn new-age tech skills and adapt to fast-paced business environments. Udaan, Droom, Flipkart, Amazon, Toppr, Testbook and NoBroker are among those hiring aggressively from campuses across multiple functions including operations, human resources, finance, business development...
The current size of the digital gifting card market in India is $2 billion...
Currently, the corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Experiences and Devices Group, Kumar is taking over from Anil Bhansali, who held this role for the last six years
Flipkart, Amazon and Swiggy among firms seeking fresh graduates with grasp of rapidly evolving technologies
The latest report of the index, shared exclusively with ET, shows a 5% decline in online hiring across 27 sectors in India
How women are ruling the graduation club at B-schools; the percentage of women students graduation for 2021 has hit a record high
Women student intake at SPJIMR, ISB and IIFT above 35%
The co-living facility is home for 500 students of IIT-Delhi, which is facing hostel space crunch
A charitable trust set up in December 2016, Ola Foundation has been involved in projects related to women empowerment over the last two years
Experts say that market for online learning is untapped and has room for the likes of Byju’s, Toppr to scale up
Some of these institutes include BITS Pilani, BML Munjal University, SRM University, ISB, KL University, among others.
Maheshwari will help the company to strategise, build and lead the global expansion of brand Byju's
Agarwal would be responsible for devising a new technology road map and identifying futuristic innovations, to enable the business.
Hiring plans of Flipkart and Amazon are unlikely to change despite the recent change in the foreign direct investment policy for the e-commerce sector
Most companies are building their tech teams. “One of our core focuses for 2019 is to continue to build depth in our engineering and product teams across levels,” said Daminee Sawhney, vice president, human resources at Zomat
Gajendra Chandel, president and chief human resource officer (CHRO) of Tata Motors, has resigned. “Gajendra Chandel has decided to move on from his role at Tata Motors.
A senior government official told ET that NITI Aayog has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Patna, under director Pushpak Bhattacharyya to develop a natural language processor (NLP) for commercial use
The IIT-Kharagpur has come up with a solution that uses AI to extract information from social media platforms.
Amazon India & Flipkart are likely to create 120,000 temporary jobs to service anticipated demand surge
The firm has at least four ongoing searches: head of engineering, chief product officer, chief HR and senior talent for supply chain and marketing
Amazon is powering ahead to become the largest e-commerce recruiter in India in terms of intake, salaries, variety of roles offered and even student interest