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70% of marketers have changed their Black Friday plans due to recent economic turmoil
Optimizely’s survey found a third of marketers have cut back their Black Friday discounts in the face of recession
London - 15 November, 2022 — Following recent economic turmoil, 70% of UK marketers have been forced to change their Black Friday discounts, plans and deals. That’s according to a new study from Optimizely, the leading digital experience platform (DXP) provider enabling Boundless Digital Invention.
The research, which surveyed 100 in-house marketing professionals across the UK, also found that more than a third (35%) of those taking part in Black Friday have reduced the deals they will be offering in order to save on costs and boost profits.
Despite these cutbacks, the event is no less important to retailers with two in five marketers (40%) agreeing that Black Friday will be “even more vital” due to the possibility of an economic recession. In fact, 50% of those surveyed are actually increasing their Black Friday marketing budgets in response to the economic downturn. Of these, 36% have invested more due to concerns about tightening belts and reduced consumer spending power.
Optimizely’s research also examined how marketers plan to make the most of this event, and how they plan to drive business results in the potentially challenging year ahead.
Three quarters (76%) of marketers said that customer experience will be an ‘essential’ part of their marketing strategy in the year ahead — more than any other factor. Over half (55%) also agreed that personalisation technology will remain an essential element in their plans for reaching consumers.
With these technologies to hand, a massive 97% of UK marketers say that — despite economic instability — they still feel positive about their ability to deliver effective marketing in 2023.
Commenting on the findings, Shafqat Islam, General Manager of Optimizely, said: “Between the cost-of-living crisis, talk of recession, and the recent budget changes, there’s no denying that the UK has seen some turmoil in the last few months. However, even in the face of this uncertainty, marketers are feeling positive about the year ahead and are proactively making changes to meet any challenges head on.
Today’s marketers are under more pressure than ever to prove their worth and add business value, particularly during a busy period like the holiday season. With reduced consumer spending power, the most effective marketers will be those who remain focused on customer experiences and ensuring that shoppers find the right products for them. Personalisation and optimisation will play a vital part in this goal and the technologies that enable them will be just as important as ever in the year ahead.”
At Optimizely, we're on a mission to help people unlock their digital potential. With our leading digital experience platform (DXP), we equip teams with the tools and insights they need to create and optimize in new and novel ways. Through Boundless Digital Invention, we’re reinventing marketing and allowing marketers to innovate without limits through confident content creation, inclusive collaboration and customer foresight. Now, companies can operate with data-driven confidence to create hyper-personalized experiences. Building sophisticated solutions has never been simpler. Optimizely’s 900+ partners and nearly 1500 employees in offices around the globe are proud to help more than 9,000 brands, including Toyota, Santander, eBay, KLM and Mazda, enrich their customer lifetime value, increase revenue and grow their brands. Learn more at optimizely.com.
All third-party trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference purposes.
Rachel Teitt Gill
Sr. Director, Global Communications
Sr. Manager, Global Communications


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Rich Dudes│How Indian Billionaire Mukesh Ambani Built a $86.5B Net Worth
Mukesh Ambani became one of the world's richest people with a net worth of $86.5 billion with investments in ventures like Reliance Industries and Jio. Here’s what else is in his portfolio.
Updated Mar 21, 2023
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Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani is an Indian businessman with a net worth that could fund a small country. He's worth over $86.5 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world.
Ambani made his fortune primarily through his majority stake in Reliance Industries, a conglomerate with interests in everything from energy and petrochemicals to textiles and telecommunications.
Ambani has also dipped his toes into the tech and e-commerce sectors in recent years, with big plans to make Reliance Industries a major player in India's digital economy.
And let's not forget about Jio, Ambani's low-cost mobile data network that took the telecom sector by storm and quickly became the largest mobile network operator in India with over 400 million subscribers.
But don't think all that money has gone to Ambani's head—he's also known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Reliance Foundation, which supports initiatives in healthcare, education, and disaster relief.
Ambani owns Antilia, a 27-story skyscraper in Mumbai worth over $4.6 billion.
And despite his wealth, Ambani is apparently quite frugal, opting to live in a relatively modest 27-story house in Mumbai instead of a sprawling mansion.
Mukesh Ambani net worth at a glance
April 19, 1957
Indian born in Aden, Yemen
Entrepreneur, industrialist, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries
Sources of wealth
Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai Indians, Network18 Media & Investments Limited, Just Dial, Reliance Foundation.
Real estate, startups, stocks
How Mukesh Ambani made his money
How Mukesh Ambani made his money
Mukesh Ambani didn't just wake up one day and become Asia's richest person. It all started back in 1981 when he began helping his father Dhirubhai Ambani run their family business: Reliance Industries Limited.
Reliance Industries Ltd. was already in the game, expanding into petrochemical refinement as well as selling products and services in the retail and telecommunications industries. They weren't messing around—it was in these industries that Ambani's personal wealth began to grow exponentially.
Ambani's company owns the world's largest oil refining complex. That's right, the biggest one on Earth. And with that kind of power, the cash quickly begins flowing in. It goes without saying that Ambani's stake in Reliance Industries comprises the majority of his wealth.
Mukesh retained control of Reliance Industries Limited and Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited from his brothers in 2005 following his father’s death.
But it's not just oil and refining that makes Ambani's pockets swell. He's got a residential property worth more than $400 million, and he even owns a professional cricket team.
How Mukesh Ambani invests
How Mukesh Ambani invests
Mukesh Ambani, the Indian business magnate, has invested heavily in the commercial real estate market since the launch of R-SoUL. He plans to invest $9.1 billion in Uttar Pradesh over the next four years.
Additionally, he has financed Indian startups such as Byju's, Infibeam Avenues, and Embibe. His portfolio of companies and businesses includes Reliance Jio, Reliance Retail, Reliance Foundation, and Reliance Life Sciences, which cover a wide range of sectors from apparel and footwear to healthcare and rural development.
Mukesh Ambani's net worth is impressive and can be attributed to his wise investments, but he has also been adding to his collection of high-end luxury cars, which includes a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Maybach 62.
Mukesh Ambani is also into stocks, with significant holdings in several individual public companies. When you hear Mukesh Ambani's name, you think of investments. Here’s a breakdown of Mukesh Ambani's startup investments, stocks, and real estate.
Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire known for his extravagant real estate investments. With the 27-story skyscraper worth over $4.6 billion and a villa in Dubai worth $80 million, he clearly has a soft spot for lavish properties.
Ambani has set up a company for real estate development called Reliance Haryana SEZ Limited. More recently, he's entered the commercial real estate business with the launch of R-SoUL, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries.
He also plans to headhunt top talent for his real estate ventures and has even been eyeing some expensive properties. One of the properties Ambani owns is Antilia, a 27-story skyscraper in Mumbai worth over $4.6 billion. He also owns a property in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, worth $163 million.
Mukesh Ambani’s property in Mumbai alone has increased in value by ten times in just 10 years. Antilia’s 27 floors include six floors of parking that can fit 168 cars, a 50-seat theater, a swimming pool, a spa, and even a temple among its many amenities. This place is fit for a king—or, in this case, a billionaire.
But Mukesh doesn't stop there, he's also invested in a $90 million residential property in London and a $50 million penthouse in Mumbai. And it's not just residential real estate that he's interested in. Ambani has made significant investments in commercial real estate, too, including a joint venture with Brookfield Asset Management to develop office parks in India.
Mukesh Ambani has invested over $50 million in a number of Indian startups, including Haptik, Netradyne, Embibe, and many others. Ambani's company, Reliance Jio, initially invested $20 billion in the Indian telecom industry. Reliance Industries has also acquired several businesses, including British toy retailer Hamleys and a majority stake in online pharmacy Netmeds.
Ambani's startup investments and acquisitions are all part of his grand plan to transform Reliance Industries into a tech and e-commerce giant. And with investments like $200 million in Dunzo, a hyperlocal delivery startup backed by Google, it seems like he's on the right track.
Mukesh Ambani plans to spend $75 billion dollars over the next 15 years on clean energy projects and is seeking billions of dollars of investments in India's energy sector and has approached potential investors. He’s aiming to own every link of the renewable energy supply chain and disrupt the sector, just like he did in the telecom industry with Reliance Jio.
To do this, Ambani will strategize, oversee the construction of gigafactories and blue hydrogen facilities, assist acquisition targets, and talk to potential investors. He is going head to head with Gautam Adani, a rival billionaire who has committed $70 billion to become the world's largest renewables player.
Ambani's strategic investments have not only helped him diversify his business interests but also stay ahead of the market. And with a recent $132 million investment in Addverb Technologies, a robot maker specializing in warehouse automation, he's not slowing down anytime soon.
Mukesh Ambani, the executive chairman of Reliance communications limited, is laughing all the way to the bank thanks to his investments in Indian startups. He's invested $8 billion in startups like JioMart and Delhivery, and it's paid off big time.
Under his leadership, Reliance Industries has grown 42 times in market capitalization, adding approximately $92 billion in investor wealth over the last 20 years. And it's not just about the money—these startups are expanding too.
Some of them, like Embibe, have seen a 4 times increase in revenue since Ambani’s investment. Mukesh has not only helped position Reliance Industries as a leader in the digital space, but his companies have also created jobs and boosted entrepreneurship in India.
Mukesh Ambani is a stock market savant and his company Reliance Industries has been dishing out index-beating returns for six of the last seven years. Ambani is no small fry, as his stake in Reliance Industries has ballooned to 48.87%.
Ambani likes to stick his fingers in many pies—Reliance Industries is listed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India. Ambani also owns shares in several financial institutions like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.
But don't be fooled, Ambani is in it for the long haul. His investments in the stock market are focused on long-term growth rather than short-term gains.
Reliance Industries has diversified its business interests, including oil refineries, oil and gas exploration, retail, and telecommunications. All these strategic investments have made Ambani one of the richest people in the world.
Ambani’s oil refinery business isn’t completely uncontroversial. Amani, his family members, and some Reliance Industries executives were fined the equivalent of $3.36 million by the Indian Federal Government for issuing themselves company stock in secret without notifying other shareholders.
Despite, some regulatory turbulence, Mukesh Ambani's investment in Reliance Industries Limited is like a fairy tale—if fairy tales involved billions of dollars and public markets. With an $86.5 billion net worth, Ambani has arguably been the biggest wealth creator in India.
Reliance Industries Limited's market capitalization has grown by approximately 10 times in the last 10 years, making it one of India's most valuable companies. Investors who bought Reliance Industries Limited shares 30 years ago would have seen a 50,000% return on their investment.
No wonder Ambani holds a 48.87% stake in reliance—he probably thinks it’ll only go up.

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Steelcase Inc. aims to be PVC-free by 2012.
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based office furniture maker announced June 13 that it will eliminate PVC from edge banding first and be free of the material in time for its centennial celebration.
``We want to bring the entire supply chain along with us,'' said environmental director Allan Smith in a June 16 telephone interview. ``This is where the market is heading, and we all need to be there. It's a goal that we feel we can achieve.''
A Vinyl Institute spokesman questioned whether Steelcase's decision takes into account recent studies favorable to PVC.
``Our question is whether [office furniture makers] have updated their own environmental assessments with the data from the new reports,'' said Allen Blakey, public affairs director for the Arlington, Va.-based trade group.
Other companies and manufacturers have elected to use PVC, he said, but those decisions are not accompanied by news releases. Announcements like the one from Steelcase get attention, but may not reflect the overall vinyl use trend, he added.
Steelcase has been developing its initiatives for the past few years, but laid down some specific dates during a presentation at the office furniture industry's annual NeoCon show, held June 13-15 in Chicago.
The firm's other environmental targets include a wood-purchasing policy requiring suppliers to provide lumber only from forests certified as sustainable plots.
Steelcase said it is working with McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry to assess its larger global impact and has partnered with the University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems to research possible improvements to its global environmental footprint.
The mandate moving away from PVC affects not only the edge banding, which provides a decorative trim on furniture, but also elements of the firm's popular chairs and even its entire Designtex unit, which uses vinyl on vertical panels.
``We've got a long-term goal to try and give our companies a chance to come up with viable alternatives,'' Smith said.
Steelcase's announcement is similar to competitor Herman Miller Inc.'s ``design for the environment'' principle, which requires all new products to meet specific ``green production'' guidelines.
That has meant that chairs such as the Cella, introduced at NeoCon, use alternative materials for armrests, which previously relied on vinyl.
While Zeeland, Mich.-based Herman Miller has not targeted a specific date to halt PVC use, it has eliminated the material from all new products introduced in the past two years, said spokesman Mark Schurman. Like Steelcase, it also is seeking a replacement material for vinyl used in edge bands.
PVC is a good material choice during its lifetime of use on furniture products, Smith said. But the company is worried about the impact on the environment from production of the raw material, which relies on vinyl chloride monomer, and about product disposal.
The Steelcase announcement comes even as the Vinyl Institute has been making headway with other industries in repairing the resin's image. A draft report of a study by the U.S. Green Building Council, released in December, shows no evidence that PVC is consistently worse than alternatives.
The long time frame the office furniture industry has set on its environmental initiatives gives the Vinyl Institute and PVC suppliers time to present a full story on the material.
``2012 is a ways off. The studies are on our side,'' Blakey said. ``We think all of these companies are trying to do the right thing, but we hope they're looking at all the good, peer-reviewed studies on PVC.''
It is not just a matter of changing minds within companies like Steelcase, though, Smith said. The company is the world's biggest seller of office furniture, and has to respond to global market forces.
``It's a market force driven by our customers,'' he said.


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Chart of the Day
NFT Bloom: NFTs have been rapidly trending up for the past few weeks, with many examples of art-technology crossovers hogging the headline. NFTs’ rise is largely comparable to the 2017 ICO boom — everything minted as an NFT seems to have intrinsic value. Not to mention the increasing star-dazed participation, from celebrities to sports stars to commercially successful artists. Of course, the application of NFTs is yet to be explored. As the industry matures, who knows if there will be a stronger connection between intellectual property-related assets and NFTs?
Talk of the Town
Basketball Meets Blockchain: Since its launch late last year, Top Shot, a blockchain-based marketplace of NBA-related collectibles, has gained traction with more than 50,000 bought-in and 237k unique addresses in the past week alone, roughly equivalent to 95.8% of all NFT users. Just this Wednesday, a blog update announced that NBA unveiled its 2021 Rising Stars rosters on Top Shot. The hand-pick 21 highlights from the 2020-2021 season have been immortalized on blockchain as digital collectibles.


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Small Business Development Centers Around the Country Celebrate Impact on Small Business on Wednesday, March 20th
For over 40 years the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has helped aspiring and emerging business owners achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship. On Wednesday, March 20, the Maine SBDC will join SBDCs around the country for one special day to celebrate their work, impact and most importantly their clients – America’s small businesses.
“SBDC Day is a great opportunity to highlight the amazing work our clients and advisors do together, and to celebrate their successes in Maine and across the country,” commented State Director Mark Delisle.
With nearly 1,000 locations across the country, SBDCs provide local businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. In Maine, business advisors helped over 1,500 entrepreneurs to start 136 businesses, create and save 810 jobs and access $38.7 million in capital in 2018 alone.
“[With] proven ROI and stellar client ratings it’s clear that America’s SBDCs are the nation’s most trusted small business resource,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC.
To celebrate the collective impact and success SBDCs have across the nation and in local communities each year, America’s SBDCs are hosting the third annual SBDC Day on March 20th. SBDC Day is a national movement to help share the small business success stories and notable impact SBDCs have fostered in communities nationwide.


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Big ol' treehouse creates backyard battle royal on Seacoast
A treehouse is causing trouble on New Hampshire's Seacoast. The parents of an 8-year-old boy say they checked with neighbors before building a treehouse, and there were no objections. “Its size is imposing and dominates the field of view in our backyard and from our house,” neighbor Mark Moses said.news.yahoo.com
Treehouse in Fredericksburg is one of top wish-listed destinations for Airbnb travelers
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – Airbnb has released a list of the top travel destinations for travelers and some of the most unique, wish-listed locations people are looking to stay. One of the locations that’s been added as a top wish list stay for Airbnb is a treehouse in Fredericksburg, listed on the website as Live Oak Treehouse at HoneyTree Farm. According to Airbnb officials, travelers are looking to get out of the city for fall trips. The top destinations in the U.S. for fall are:Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaBig Bear Lake, CaliforniaLake Havasu City, ArizonaCharleston, South CarolinaScranton, PennsylvaniaWilmington, North CarolinaPalm Springs, CaliforniaOrange Beach, AlabamaPigeon Forge, TennesseeFredericksburg, TexasAirbinb officials said travelers are booking vacations within 300 miles of their origin. The methodology used to determine these statistics were based on searches from Aug. 1-23, 2020.


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17 October 2019
LEXUS AUSTRALIA RECALLS CT200H VEHICLES FOR BACK DOOR DAMPER STAY
Lexus Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall on 5 CT200h vehicles due to a potential issue with the back door damper stays of these vehicles.
LEXUS LC CONVERTIBLE MAKES AUSTRALIAN DEBUT
Lexus has flown its first LC convertible to Australia, with the one-off prototype of the brand's future flagship sports car ready to take centre stage at LANDMARK by Lexus - a premier three-level design project formerly known as the Lexus Design Pavilion.
16 October 2019
UNVEILING LANDMARK BY LEXUS — THE INAUGURAL PREMIER DESIGN PROJECT, EXCLUSIVE TO AUSTRALIA'S MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL
Infusing Lexus' Japanese values of warmth and hospitality, with design inspirations taken from Australia's rich native landscape, luxury lifestyle brand Lexus is proud to unveil plans for Australia's premier design project over the course of the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival, LANDMARK by Lexus - formerly known as the Lexus Design Pavilion.


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The filthiest thing you'll see today1:20
Some special GloGerm powder and a UV light flashed around the office reveals which everyday items are the worst offenders for carrying disturbing amounts of germs.
IT'S a rare office that could be considered spotless - but most are more filthy than you would expect.
Research shows one in six workers have fallen ill due to bad office dirt and grime, which can cost their companies millions of dollars a year in sick leave, according to Initial Hygeine.
It's also a major worry for workers, with 75 per cent of staff fretting over the cleanliness of their office space and one third saying better hygiene overall would make them happier at work.
Initial Hygeine's marketing manger Natalie Howard said the office can be much more filthy than people's homes as there is often no one directly responsible for the space.
"The way people treat a sink in the office, they wouldn't do that at home … At work they're in a hurry, they feel it's not their property or someone is going to clean up after them," she said.
"People will do different things in the office than they would at home because there're no repercussions."
Ms Howard named the top spots for office filth - you have been warned.
The kitchen kettle & tea canister - You might not want to hear it, but this seemingly benign piece of equipment can be teeming with germs, as it's often the first place people go after visiting the bathroom. Ewww, it might be time to get a pair of tongs to reach those tea bags.
The phone - This is the most contaminated object on the desktop, with 25,127 microbes per square inch, much more than the toilet which contains 49 microbes per square inch, according to Initial Hygeine. Nice to think about next time you're on a conference call.
The desk - the average desk has 400 times more bacteria than a typical toilet seat - much of which can be put down to the fact that more and more workers are eating their lunch there.
"A lot of people eat at their desk so food is going on there. If you turn your keyboard and shake it you'll notice a lot comes out," Ms Howard said.
The computer mouse - It sits in your hot little hand all day so it's no surprise research shows the humble mouse harbours more than three times the level of bacteria found on a toilet seat.
Keyboards - The gaps between keys make keyboards one of the worst offenders, with over 3000 times the bacteria found on your toilet seat. Use antibacterial wipes to scrub them down if you want to give them a basic clean-up.
The bathroom - Polls show one in three office workers don't wash their hands every time they visit the washroom making the bathroom a major source of germs for all over the office.
Nearly 50 per cent of men said they would avoid the office bathroom during the busiest times of the day compared to nearly 40 per cent of women. While 25 per cent of men said they would avoid the office bathroom entirely, compared to 18 per cent of women.
"We've actually spoken to people through research groups who say they'll go when they leave home and hang on until they get back from the office," Ms Howard said adding that some sales representatives on the road will strategically sip a bottle of water all day.
Bathroom door handles and toilet seats - The toilet itself is infested with bacteria associated with the gut, suggesting faecal contamination, but flush handles and bathroom door handles are also to blame.
So how do you avoid all this filth?
The simple advice is to wash your hands properly for twenty seconds at a time or "two verses of happy birthday," Ms Howard said.


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SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — LG Uplus Corp., a major South Korean telecom operator, said Thursday it aims to increase sales from its smart factory solutions business by sevenfold within five years as part of its broader push to boost its enterprise-focused services.
The telecom operator has recently been developing industrial solutions that use its 4G and 5G networks to automate workload and improve safety, deploying some of them in facilities operated by LG affiliates, as well as power plants across the country.
The carrier said in an online briefing its smart factory solutions are currently used in 150 locations across the country by around 100 corporate clients.
It expects the smart factory market between local telecom operators to be worth up to 200 billion won (US$171.3 million) annually in five years, with hopes to secure more than half of the market.
The move comes as LG Uplus’ enterprise infrastructure solution sector, which includes its smart factory business, logged sales of 134.2 billion won (US$115 million) in the second quarter, up 34.3 percent on-year.
The carrier has recently shifted focus toward business beyond its traditional wireless network service, with CEO Hwang Hyeon-sik saying in July that he aims to raise the company’s share of sales from non-telecom services to 30 percent of the total by 2025 from the current 20 percent.
LG Uplus said it has revamped its smart factory business into 12 services, which include a motor diagnosis solution that uses a big data-based algorithm to predict signs of motor malfunction in factories by analyzing electrical data.
The telecom operator also offers a smart video safety system that analyzes video and sound in real time to detect and notify safety issues, including sparks, smoke or steam, and abnormal temperatures.
The company said the smart factory solutions on its wireless network are an improvement over existing services that use Wi-Fi as they offer more stable connection while moving.


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The ASG also stressed that there were very few cases when the government has asked the service provider to remove such contents.
"Political dissent and decent humour cannot be prohibited," additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench comprising Justices J Chelameswar and R F Nariman.
The Board also told the court that it would be holding a meeting soon and action will be taken against Bukhari for what he has done.
"The extreme political views or contrary views and decent humour cannot be prohibited," Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta said.
The Union ministry of new and renewable energy has announced the subsidy is likely to be reduced up to 15%.
The SC had taken strong exception to the arrest of the girls, after a PIL filed also cited several other incidents of similar abuse of power.
Global sporting goods giant Adidas is set to name Adidas India brand director Tushar Goculdas as its new brand director for emerging markets.
Exit load is a fee one has to pay if one redeems the investment in a mutual fund scheme before a specified period from the date of investment.


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82 Queen kicks off summer series with bourbon
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- One of downtown Charleston's award-winning restaurants is taking a foray into local liquors and beers with a summer dinner series.
82 Queen will offer the dinners starting at the end of the month, the first of which will be on June 28 and will feature bourbon from Jim Beam. According to a release from 82 Queen, the bourbons on tap will include Knob Creek and Basil Hayden's.
The liquors will be paired with the restaurant's Lowcountry fare, the release states.
"We wanted to start thesummer off right, so we decided to pair our great Lowcountry cuisine with anold favorite, Jim Beam." says Chef Steven Lusby.
The bourbons will not only be used for drinking, Lusby said, but will also be infused in the dishes.
There are only 40 seats available for the dinner. Tickets are $79 in advance and $99 on the night of the dinner.
July's dinner will feature Firefly Moonshine; August's will feature Palmetto Brewery. The tickets to those events are $59.
For those who think it's never too hot for bourbon, tickets can be purchased by calling 843-723-7591.


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We are incredibly proud to announce that British sports car manufacturer Durham branch, alongside Kia and Suzuki, offering the three key Lotus models, including the brand new Exige Sport 350.
Lotus is currently going from strength-to-strength as its brand grows throughout the world and its products become more and more facilitating to those who wish to own them. The legendary sports car company is set to build 2,000 cars in 2015 and has ambitions to raise that output by another 1,000 in 2016.
Born on the race track, developed for the road
The father of Lotus and an iconic figure within the motorsport realm, Colin Chapman, would be proud of the creations emerging from Lotus’ Hethel plant, with his philosophy of lightness over power still very much in the mind of current CEO Jean-Marc Gales.
Lotus has recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the superb Elise, while the new Evora 400 is set to take the company to new heights. The latter will make its debut on the US market in April 2016, where it already has 400 orders before it’s even reached American shores.
Registrations in the UK, meanwhile, have increased by 55 per cent, while Japan has become Lotus’ biggest market and the firm aims to have 250 dealers worldwide by the end of 2016.
Lotus Exige Sport 350
Lotus’ latest offering is the Exige Sport 350, a car with raw performance and agility to the fore one of the most focused driving experiences available. An ability to reach 62mph from standstill in just 3.7sec and a weight of a mere 1125kg, the Sport 350 is as visceral as it gets.
It takes on a similar recipe to Exige S, featuring a supercharged, 3.5-litre V6 and providing that mid-engined, rear-wheel balance, but offers a supreme 345bhp in a package weighing little over a tonne.
The Sport 350’s chassis benefits from state-of-the-art construction int he form of a lightweight aluminium tub, bringing superb torsional rigidity and an unrivalled handling base.


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We’re not sure how the rtc tokens will be distributed.
But we are pretty sure we have a pretty good idea of what we’re in for.
The RTC tokens are intended to be a store of value for RTA users and they’ll be issued for use in a future version of RTA.
The tokens will only be distributed as an alternative currency to fiat, meaning they’ll never be converted into fiat.
So, how will RTA fare?
The rtc token price is currently pegged to the RTA price, but RTA has been able to attract a large number of users by offering free RTA access to users who’ve already paid for the service.
Users can sign up for Rta accounts through RTA’s website and receive a token for free.
RTA is also offering a free “RTA debit card”, but users can only use it to withdraw the rtcs for future purchases.
As of this writing, RTA debit cards are available for purchase in the US and Canada, and RTA said it plans to launch an international debit card in the near future.
However, the Rtcs can only be used at RTA kiosks, which means RTA will need to offer a prepaid RTA card that users can use for travel.
Users will also need to be able to use the RTC debit card at Rtacast.org, Rtcaast.com, and rtca.com to access RTA services.
That means the Rtc debit card will be required for all future purchases of Rtcta-branded products.
RTC also announced a partnership with GoCoin to enable users to earn RTC for using GoCoin services on their smartphones.
Users must be registered at GoCoin’s website to earn rtc, which can be used to pay for RTC-branded purchases on mobile apps, or for any of RTC’s other products and services.
The rctas mobile app for the RtaBus app, which was launched in early 2017, lets users take photos of Rta buses and post them on social media.
The app allows users to “share” the photos on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, but users must register at GoCoins.com in order to post the photos.
Rta’s GoCoin app for smartphones also offers the same feature.
Users need to use a Google Account to sign up to the app, and users can earn Rtc from the app’s RTC rewards program.
In the future, users will be able earn Rtcus from GoCoin on other RTA-branded services as well.
Rtacoin is another RTC token, but unlike RTC, it will be only available to users with a GoCoin account.
Users with an Rtcoin account will be eligible to redeem their RTC at Rta bus kiosks and other locations where Rtc has been used.
Rtc is also being made available for non-Rtacoine merchants, like coffee shops, gas stations, and restaurants.
But the Rctacoin store is currently only available in the U.S., so users can’t use Rtc to pay bills or buy groceries.
For more details, check out the Rtsco.com website.


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The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) announced this week that renowned Japanese and overseas artists have been selected to produce artworks to celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Games vision and spirit.
The participating artists and designers include famous Japanese manga artists and calligraphers, a number of leading young figures from the Japanese art world and other famous Japanese artists, designers and photographers. They also include four overseas artists who have won numerous awards in Japan and overseas.
The artworks will be rendered as official Tokyo 2020 Official Art Posters and will be produced by the end of the year. They will be displayed at exhibitions in public spaces and will feature on licensed products from the beginning of 2020 to build momentum for the approaching Tokyo 2020 Games.


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The GS1 Hong Kong Summit 2021
20 Years of Innovation Journey
Fueled by a continuous commitment to uplift industry competitiveness, GS1 Hong Kong Summit was held successfully on 10 June. Broadcast live for the first time, more than 1,300 delegates from cross-sector trades joined in-person and online, including Greater Bay Area cities.
Themed “Scaling Digital Transformation ● Cultivating Digital Assets”, the 20th edition of the Summit was co-located with the GOVirtual Business Expo for the first time, jointly hosted by GS1 HK and Baobab Tree Event Management Co., Ltd. (BTE), running from 10 June to 12 June.
FIRST: GS1 HK large-scale conference since COVID-19
FIRST: GS1 HK Summit in hybrid mode - physical & virtual
FIRST: Collaboration with an Expo and marked as main conference of the trade show
“Insights by Government & Business Leaders”
Mr. Alfred Sit, JP, Secretary for Innovation & Technology, inaugurated the Summit as the Guest of Honour and delivered the opening address. He underscored the importance of digital transformation “is indeed the ‘hope’ to businesses under the ‘new normal’”, and shared the Government’s efforts conducive to the development of “Industry 4.0” and smart city.
Our keynote speaker was Mr. Ricky Wong, Vice Chairman & Group Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Television Network Limited, who spoke on “Way Beyond eCommerce”, enabling more business embrace online technologies and promoting a more vibrant, more competitive digital market ecosystem.
KPMG, GS1 HK, HSBC Joint Survey Result Announcement
The Summit also saw the survey result announcement of “Retail Realignment: The road ahead for omnichannel in the Greater Bay Area” report, revealing that 73% retailers are currently implementing a GBA strategy. (For details of the report please visit: https://www.gs1hk.org/sites/default/files/publications/retail-s-realignment-the-road-ahead-for-omnichannel-in-the-greater-bay-area..pdf) The results drew intense discussion among prominent business leaders at the CEO Panel that follows to share their commerce strategies to stay competitive and their engagement approach to Gen-Z consumers.
In the Executive Panel, various plenary sessions and track sessions, thought-leaders from a mix of industries presented ideas that helped businesses stay ahead of the curve.
|Vaccine Supply Chain Traceability (View video sharing)|
|Reimagining Retail Commerce in a Post-COVID World (View video sharing)|
|Building Supply Chain Agility & Resilience from “Just-in-time” and “Just-in-case" (View video sharing)|
|Smart Business & IoT-connected Operations|
|Digital Trade Finance|
The Summit was completed by The Entrepreneur Forum, where long-standing and new brands shared their “500 days of business survival kit” since the pandemic outbreak: Localla diversified its bike sharing business to online food ordering service; Culture Homes transformed traditional elderly homes into technology-enabled neighborhood; German Pool tapped into the Greater Bay Area with new marketing stunts such as live commerce.
They all agreed that it is paramount for business to adopt “Go Digital • Go Smart” strategies that set the foundation for success in the long-run.
For the registered delegates, a link will be sent to your email to access the event playback video and other relevant resources.
Please visit more on:
Photo highlights: Go to Photo Gallery
Video highlights: Click here to view


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WASHINGTON – An estimated 80 billion lbs of food is wasted every year in the United States, but the use of smart packaging can help reduce this, according to Richard Freundlich, executive director of supply chains with Rabobank.
Speaking on April 12 at the North American Meat Institute’s virtual Meat Industry Summit, Freundlich said this waste equates to about $219 per person or $1,600 per family. Additionally, 335,000 tons of food is wasted annually during manufacturing, and 155,000 tons of this is preventable and caused by factors such as biocontamination or mislabeling.
Packaging is related to some of this waste as food in larger packages is more likely to be discarded after opening, Freundlich said. Given this, the industry is looking at how to use packaging to be part of the food waste solution.
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, active packaging specifically refers to the ability of the package to interact with its environment, often through controlling the amount of UV light, oxygen, or moisture exposure to the food inside. This increased ability of the packaging to interact with and control the environment can extend shelf life and reduce food waste.
Intelligent packaging refers to communication with the world outside the package, perhaps through giving consumers information on temperature, freshness, or any potential exposure the food had to microbes. It can also be used to provide a link to automation using barcodes, QR codes, or even augmented reality to enhance the consumer experience.
“Intelligent packaging can be used to reduce food waste,” Freundlich said. “We are seeing a digital revolution where connected packaging is being used more and more.”
Given consumers’ current concerns about food safety during the pandemic, on-package indicators of potential exposure to microbes are certainly in demand.
“(Smart packaging) can ultimately increase shelf life, improve quality and provide on-demand information,” Freundlich said. “It enhances the brand connection and gives loyalty to the customer.”
Overall, he said many smaller brands are using such packaging to differentiate products in the market and gain acceptance.
With all the new technology going into packaging, companies are also looking to combine this with sustainable packaging materials. Freundlich said there are not any industry discussions surrounding packaging that do not involve sustainability, and new technologies such as advanced recycling are being used.
Freundlich also discussed Blockchain as a method of monitoring food waste, and while it is not the only way to monitor waste, it is the most secure. However, he said the industry has been slow to adopt this trend.
He said the trend toward smart packaging will continue to grow in the future. The global smart packaging market was valued at $2.57 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $5.66 billion in 2024.


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The Census Bureau said that retail sales fell 0.3 percent in October, its first decline since June. The decline was led by lower motor vehicle sales, which fell 1.5 percent for the month. Despite reduced auto sales in October, the sector is up 5.0 percent year-over-year. Excluding autos, retail sales figures were flat for the month.
The largest gains for the month came from gasoline stations, with sales rising 1.4 percent. Since October 2011, gas station sales have risen 7.7 percent. Much of this increase was due to higher per gallon prices at the pump. In essence, the gasoline station sales increase offsets lower auto sales, as when the two are excluded from the analysis, retail sales decline 0.3 percent.
Outside of gasoline and motor vehicles, retail sales were mostly mixed. There were increased sales in October observed in food and beverages (up 0.8 percent), sporting goods and hobbies (up 0.5 percent), health and personal care stores (up 0.3 percent), and general merchandisers (up 0.2 percent) businesses. At the same time, declines were seen among the following retailers: building materials (down 1.9 percent), nonstore retailers (down 1.8 percent), electronics and appliances (down 1.0 percent), and furniture and home furnishings (down 0.6 percent).
These figures suggest lackluster growth in retail spending in October. There were some extenuating circumstances that might account for some of this decline, including Hurricane Sandy and a reduction in sales in October for the iPhone 5 (which was introduced in September to strong sales). These factors make the decline harder to interpret.
Yet, it is also clear that there continue to be uncertainties in the marketplace that might keep the public anxious moving forward. For instance, the ability of our policymakers to avert the fiscal cliff leading to a possible recession in early 2013 could definitely impact employment, economic growth, and spending going into the new year.
Chad Moutray is chief economist, National Association of Manufacturers.
Latest posts by Chad Moutray (see all)
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- NAHB: Single-family home sales expectations at highest level since June 2005 - February 15, 2018
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At its annual Members’ Day, the GGF launched a Member-wide consultation on ‘Evolve – a framework for better business’.
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) issues key guidance for companies in the glass and glazing industry that import chemicals from the EU.
The GGF announces the latest addition to its suite of health and safety publications with the revised and redesigned ‘Asbestos Cement; Soffits and Rainwater Goods Code of Practice’.
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) announces the launch of a new online Health, Safety and Environment Hub. This will house all the health, safety and environment services and products the Federation delivers for Members and the industry.
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease nationwide, the GGF advises all companies to be cautious and still adhere to guidance.
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) announces the launch of its new Health and Safety Webinar Programme – these consist of a series of lunchtime webinars.
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has announced the appointment of James MacPherson as Health, Safety and Environment Manager.


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Multi-brand fashion house, D’ORÉ, the OFFICIAL FASHION PARTNER of the VEUVE CLICQUOT MASTERS POLO CAPE TOWN 2014.
D’Oré, the multi-brand fashion house that is home to some of the world’s top luxury fashion brands such as Emilio Pucci, Escada, Cavalli, Armani Collezioni, Rupert Sanderson, Elie Tahari, Herve Leger and Vanessa G, amongst others, will showcase their latest collections and quintessential looks on the catwalk at this year’s Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town.
Synonymous with flutes of champagne and exquisite couture fashion, guests of the fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo 2014 are set to attend what has now become South Africa’s most exclusive and luxury polo event on the Western Cape’s social calendar on Saturday, 01 March 2014.
The Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo in Cape Town will for the first time in South Africa showcase international designer collections at this year’s glamorous event styled by award-winning in-house D’Oré Image Stylist Anja Cruse-Bothma. Anja, who is also Director of iStyle, will put together key capsule collections to be featured on the D’Oré website www.dorefashion.co.za so guests and fashionistas of this year’s Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town can “Shop The Look” prior to the event.
Undoubtedly the new standard in luxury boutique shopping, D’Oré, offers the ultimate in women’s fashion, featuring a range of Prêt-à-Porter and couture clothing including ball gowns, evening wear, daywear, cocktail dresses and corporate wear.
In addition, for the fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town, D’Oré will be offering an exclusive fashion concierge service for VIP’s, celebrities and guests of the event pulling from an enviable range to suit the occasion.
Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town, one of five international tournaments, is their first and only on the African continent. Proven a resounding success and enjoyed by SA’s glamorous elite, guests include top celebrities, fashionable socialites and avid polo lovers.
VIP guests of Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town 2014 tournament can look forward to an afternoon of stylish décor opulence, perfectly chilled Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne, gourmet canapés, lavish couture fashion from D’Oré and a highly anticipated action packed finale of polo.
SAVE THE DATE DIARY DETAILS:
Event: Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town 2014
Date: Saturday, 1 March 2014
Venue: Val de Vie Estate, Jan van Riebeeck Road, Paarl 7646
Tickets are available at Computicket – http://online.computicket.com/web/event/veuve_clicquot_masters_polo/797457103/0/58682090


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He described online banking as the baby of the channels, mobile banking an even younger. More than 150, 000 “banking” users daily. 12-15K new users every month. 35 million transactions monthly. So the Internet is moving R90 billion per month. 150,000 new products sales per annum. Almost 1 million visits www.fnb.co.za per week. When Internet banking falls over, the rest of the bank cannot cope.
Number of positive drivers of online banking usage is starting to outweigh the negatives. For corporates the #1 most important feature is security, followed by availability and performance. Rural areas have more bandwidth constraints than metropolitan areas.
The Internet starting to take a bigger percentage of the channel mix. By 2025 online banking could account for 80% of transactions. Corporates already at higher level. There is expectation by 2025 about 75% of service will be available online.
The Impact on First National Bank (FNB):
- Has to become a global 24/7/365 business
- Very demanding self-service clients
- Lower-cost channel options
- Legacy systems, security and data issues
- Fraud challenges (phishing)
- 3rd party dependencies and joint-ventures
- New competitors
- “Different” workforce and competencies
Chris ended off with a quote from Charles Schwab on how the Internet has changed it’s business. And for Charles Schwab it has not changed business but enhanced it. For FNB it has changed their business fundamentally. In the Q&A a question was asked about mobile banking users. Turns out FNB has more than 500,000 mobile baking users. There’s a big overlap between them and the online banking users i.e. they tend to be the same people or as Chris Kotze said they co-exist. So there is still a long way to go in getting the unbanked into the banking system.
For more on Chris Kotze read this interview on Personal Finance website.


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Pressure on the supply chain in northern France mounted yesterday after a fire in the Grande-Synthe migrant camp near Dunkirk burnt the settlement to the ground. Trade associations said while they recognised the sadness of the situation, the blaze could be a problem for UK operators as it may push migrants back into the Calais area. It is thought more than 1,000 migrants were living in the camp. RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said this would put HGV drivers and […]
Trade associations welcomed the new London Freight Enforcement Partnership launched by TfL and partner agencies earlier this week, although the RHA called on the transport body to make the results of the enforcement project more visible to the industry.
The UK supply chain is “in danger of collapsing” as the migrant problem continues to worsen in Calais, the FTA has warned.


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Molson Coors has pledged to remove plastic packaging from its Carling and Coors Light brands, as part of its new global packaging goals.
With a target to remove all plastic from Carling and Coors Light packaging by 2021, the brand’s commitment forms part of a £7.5m plastic reduction investment over the next two years.
Molson Coors legal and corporate affairs director, Kristin Wolfe, said: “We recognise the challenge of single-use plastics and we’re committed to reducing its use throughout our supply chain.
“The pledge we’ve made today, both globally and with the local actions we’re taking in the UK & Ireland, will significantly reduce single-use plastics in our packaging, reinforcing our long-term commitment to brewing greener and working towards our 2025 sustainability goals.”
The new packaging goals have been announced as part of the release of Molson Coors’ annual sustainability report: Our Beer Print Report 2019.


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NEWS ARTICLE from The PRESS, 8-1-01, By Mike Ferrari
``After 52 years of service to the community of Avon, Smith's Country Store is going out of business by the end of August.
AVON -- As Tim Smith walked through his store, he rattles off different stories about Smith's Country Store that spoke of nostalgia and memories.
At the end of the walk, he was led to the front of the business where two miniature shopping carts sat rusty and idle. As Smith looked down at the carts, his emotion about closing the 52-year-old business was evident.
His late mother, Anna, got the small carts so children could help their parents shop ...
"From a business standpoint, I had to do it for the estate and my parents. It had to be finished," Smith said about closing the store ...
Tim Smith owns the store, but works with his brother, Mark Smith, who will be keeping the catering portion of the business open and honoring all contracts until the pair decides what will happen with the business.
As a result of the closing, Smith said that almost everything in the store will be liquidated. Smith estimated that final closing would take place at the end of August,  or by no later than Labor Day.
For over half-century, local families from all over the city saw the store grow and watched the young boys mature to where they eventually took control of the store for their parents.
It cannot be estimated on how many hungry workers stopped into the store for a hot lunch, or how many graduation parties and functions that Smith's Country Store was part of; instead, Tim hopes the community remembers his parents ...
|Founder, George Francis Smith Sr. died on Sept. 13, 2000. His wife, Anna passed on a month after her husband on Oct. 12. PRESS photos by Manny Suarez|
When the store opened, George Francis Smith Sr. who died on Sept. 13, 2000, operated the shop with Anna. Anna passed on a month after her husband on Oct. 12 ...
"I have watched a lot of people and little kids grow up and have families and shop here ... this was not an easy thing to do," [Smith said]
The Smiths own eight-and-a-third acres of commercial property adjacent to the store. According to Tim, he will explore his sales options with the land, but mentioned that his brother Mark could attempt to buy the store.
Smith said that he will either be looking for another job or could try to keep portions of the business open.
It's not like the Smith's are closing up and moving away, Smith said. We could take special orders for the bakery or maybe bulk orders for parties. I was thinking about cooking ribs on the weekends also.
Smith said the decision to close the store was something that he was thinking about since his parents passed away. Citing the economics and presence of larger grocery stores in the area that caused portions of the business to suffer, he was left with the daunting decision to close the business.
"There was no sense trying to make a nickel on a can of corn anymore," Smith said. "This place has a lot of memories in here ... it is part of my life, to have to say that I'm closing hurts." ''
Avon to 1974


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ABITA SPRINGS, La. (press release) — Today, Louisiana’s original craft brewery, Abita Brewing Company (Abita), is springing into the spiked sparkling water category with their new product line, Spring Loaded.
“It seems only natural for us to develop a spiked sparkling water since Abita Springs is well-known for our water source,” said David Blossman, President and CEO of Abita. “Our water is a cherished natural resource, drawn straight from the Southern Hills Aquifer. These springs are over two thousand years old and provide water that is pristine and naturally perfect for brewing, which is why we decided to call the brand Spring Loaded.”
“Spring Loaded is crafted with all-natural ingredients and artesian spring water. The base beer is brewed with Louisiana sugar that ferments into alcohol, leaving only 2 grams of sugar. The result is a crisp, refreshing spiked water with natural fruit flavors,” said Abita Brewmaster Mark Wilson. “This formulation has been in the works for a while and we are excited to finally be able to share it with our fans.”
Abita Spring Loaded will launch this week with two initial flavors: Splash Berry and Watermelon, each coming in at only 100 calories, 2 grams of carbs and 5% ABV. This spiked sparkling water will be packaged in four-pack cans that will allow customers to purchase their favorite flavor or mix and match to create their own variety pack. Abita plans to release new flavors in their Tap Room, where customers will have the opportunity to provide input on future flavors.
Abita Spring Loaded will hit store shelves in Louisiana this week and will soon be available in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas.


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The Acura TSX is a four-door, front-wheel-drive sports sedan with a superb chassis and a wonderfully tuned engine that loves...
We already know what the 2013 Acura RLX looks like.
Read This Article
Honda is planning some sweeping changes to improve its fuel efficiency across its lineup, and in a rare move for the company, it's going to introduce a continuously-variable transmission into its upcoming cars.
Acura announces the TL Special Edition, with a starting price of $37,405.
McLaren and Honda have a partnership for Formula 1 racing, but their tie-up could help spawn another new sports car.


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State Department and European Commission Engage Diamond Industry to Discuss Next Steps on Russian Diamonds
Today, Ambassador James O’Brien joined Deputy Director General and Chief Trade Enforcement Officer Denis Redonnet of the European Commission to discuss with the U.S. and European offices of leading diamond retailers, manufacturers, laboratories, and industry trade associations the importance of the diamond industry’s engagement on future Russia-related import measures, including on polished diamonds, as noted in the recent G7 Leaders’ Statement. Russia continues to earn billions of dollars from the diamond trade, and the discussion centered on the most effective and impactful ways to disrupt that revenue stream. The United States and European Union remain committed to imposing economic consequences on Russia for its unprovoked war in Ukraine.
Official news published at https://www.state.gov/state-department-and-european-commission-engage-diamond-industry-to-discuss-next-steps-on-russian-diamonds/


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Based on a dreamy concept bike from 2019, Ducati has finally unwrapped the forthcoming 2022 DesertX, a Dakar-style adventure bike powered by a 937cc liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin. It’s a six-speed w/a freeway friendly 6th, an inverted KYB front fork, and 9 inches of travel plus 4-piston Brembo at both ends, and a 5.5 gallon tank.
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Would you be able to imagine what your Internet access will be like in 2030? Recently, experts from across the business were polled on what their assumptions are for the future management of the Internet. After 2030 we don’t have much time to meet each other that’s why we develop Ome TV for making easy meeting on the Internet. Nowadays the Internet is very popular we don’t imagine a world without the Internet. So, We are here to explain the What scenario of the Internet after 2030.
The Cost of Internet
The normal cost of web access in the US in 2021 is $64 per month. That’s more than a half increase from the $39 per month it was in 2011. All things considered, most entrepreneurs surveyed expect business as usual to continue, except to adjust to expansion over the next ten years. Some expect it to continue as before, even with an expansion that reflects technological improvements and increased rivalry.
The Average Internet Speed
Normal web speed exceeds 200 Mbps download and 70 Mbps transfer. That means there has been a sharp and late change in transfer speeds, which could be an indication of the multitude of people telecommuting during the pandemic. Most of the experts reviewed agreed that web deals have been great at giving shoppers what they need and that it will continue. Streaming video is the big driver of transfer speed, however, new pressure calculations aren’t too far off. The general agreement is that the download speed will be associated with 500 Mbps in 10 years and that the transfer speed will not change much. However, some experts expected 1 Gbps as the fibre compass continues to expand.
The Need for Speed
How much speed will we really need overall? The FCC’s current indicator of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps transfer is now terribly out of whack, and the FCC is expected to update soon to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps transfer. In any case, is that adequately even? The base updates and new USDA guidelines have some optimistic industry insiders around here. However, many reviewed experts felt that the average family would require no more than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps transfer in just 10 years.
The Digital Divide
The central government will soon be spending $65 billion to work on the broadband framework, and it’s probably in the best interest of America’s foundation of all time. Why will it matter? While some notable pundits were also very optimistic around here, the consensus is that while the advanced gap will contract, numerous disparities will remain. Numerous industry experts highlighted the lack of profit motives in the region of the country, which is interesting as much of the available money is reserved for the provincial regions.
Predicting the Future
While the unique conclusions were generally very illuminating and the agreements fascinating, a significant part of the consultations and responses took place in a vacuum. There was rarely any reference to an expansion in the contest by any stretch of the imagination, however, this could possibly be the most intriguing thing going on here. More Americans have ISP options than at any other time, and that will only continue to improve as fibre continues to grow, satellite Internet providers like Starlink and HughesNet open up to the world, and mobile services like Spectrum Portable continue to improve.
Another component that could have been taken lightly is the hunger for data transmission. In fact, streaming Netflix might require less by 2031. Yet there are more people playing computer games online and cooperating in virtual Internet-based spaces than at any other time in recent memory. That crowd will continue to grow, and we can compare the games of 2021 to those of 2011 and see that they required not less streaming capacity but much more.


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The government of Japan is expected toy relax the requirements for management companies operating minpaku lodging businesses that rent properties to travelers, eliminating the requirement that their staff have practical experience or qualifications in the real estate business. The move is aimed at increasing the number of minpaku management companies and revitalizing the tourism industry in regional areas in anticipation of a recovery in domestic tourism. Management companies for minpaku private accommodations are concentrated in urban areas. According to the Japan Association of Vacation Rental, there were 2,993 such companies nationwide as of April 2022, with nearly 70 percent located in major cities.
Japan News (01/19/23)


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Kinetica, provider of the world’s fastest GPU-accelerated relational database, has been recognized in the second annual Datanami Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards, presented during the Strata Data Conference. Kinetica was awarded Editors’ Choice: Top 5 Vendors to Watch. The list of winners was revealed on the Datanami website, located at www.datanami.com.
“The rising use of GPUs in the datacenter is one of the latest technology trends opening new possibilities for machine learning, deep learning, data visualization, or simply performing faster database queries to accelerate business intelligence,” said Amit Vij, CEO and co-founder, Kinetica. “We are honored that Datanami editors recognized Kinetica as a Vendor to Watch for providing real-time decision support and full enterprise visibility with our enterprise-grade GPU-accelerated database.”
The Datanami Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards are determined through a nomination and voting process with input from the global Big Data community, as well as selections from the Datanami editors, to highlight key trends, shine a spotlight on technological breakthroughs, and capture a critical cross section of the state of the industry. These awards will be revealed each year to kick off the annual Strata Data Conference, which showcases data science, machine learning and analytics for business and technical professionals.
“Datanami is the premiere news portal covering Big Data and advanced-scale analytics, and its readers are at the forefront of the global data science community. By taking part in our annual Readers’ Choice program, our readership has the privilege of honoring the top organizations making strides in Big Data today,” said Tom Tabor, CEO of Tabor Communications, publisher of Datanami. “The Datanami Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards voice not only our support, but also the appreciation from the community at large, and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate these organizations and their accomplishments. Our congratulations go out to all the winners.”
More information on these awards can be found at the Datanami website (www.datanami.com) or on Twitter through the following hashtag: #DatanamiAwards.
Datanami is one of the premier online portals covering big data, produced by Tabor Communications, Inc. (TCI) a leading international media, advertising and communications company dedicated to covering advance computing technologies for science, research and business. Datanami is a premier online portal covering big data. It is produced by Tabor Communications, Inc. Receive a complimentary subscription to the weekly Datanami e-newsletter by visiting datanami.com/subscribe. View daily news at www.datanami.com.
Kinetica helps many of the world’s largest companies solve some of the world’s most complex problems, including the US Air Force, NORAD, USPS, Citibank, Telkomsel, MSI, OVO, and Softbank, among others. Kinetica is the first streaming data warehouse in the cloud to combine historical, streaming, and location data analysis at unparalleled performance and scale, for instant results.
Organizations across the public sector, financial services, telecommunications, energy, healthcare, retail, automotive,and beyond can load and analyze fast-moving data simultaneously, delivering instant insight. Kinetica offers flexible deployment, pricing, and support models across private and public clouds.
Kinetica has a rich partner ecosystem, including Dell, HP, IBM, NVIDIA, and Oracle and is privately held, backed by leading global venture capital firms Canvas Ventures, Citi Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, and Meritech Capital Partners. For more information and to try Kinetica, visit kinetica.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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Firemans, Fútbol and Family
We collaborated with Real Ale to refresh the identity and packaging of one of the state’s most iconic and beloved craft beers, Firemans 4. The new look celebrates the brand’s signature four sprocket logo—making it bigger, bolder and easier to spot in the ever-crowding grocery store beer aisle. Thirsty Texans, you’re welcome.
Recently MLS Commissioner Don Garber made it official, announcing that Austin FC will be the 27th MLS franchise in front of a packed crowd that included Mayor Adler, Fox Sports Soccer Analyst Alexi Lalas and hundreds of faithful supporters. We’re thankful for all those who have embraced the brand and are helping to #growthelegend
Shield Ranch is a historic family ranch and protected wild land located just outside of Austin. We created an identity, tagline and narrative that helps them tell their unique story of land stewardship and conservation. The logo features the Painted Bunting, a native bird whose presence is often seen as a sign of a healthy ecosystem.


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EUA prices have retraced some of the bullish Brexit move from last week, as the Brexit deal approval sees some hurdles. However, the market is still showing some strength around 25 EUR/EUA level, and prices could see some reversal back up as soon as tomorrow. Auctions have been pretty well bid, which shows that buying interest is still high.
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Speedcheck has published a study on the state of 5G, finding that the tech is still a little disappointing. But there is some hope for the year ahead.
Read the full article: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/speedcheck-5g-study-disappointing-results//
This article originally appeared on Digital Trends on 2021-02-25T20:05:59.000Z and was written by Christian de Looper.


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American EV maker Lucid Motors (LCID) is expanding overseas. Lucid’s EVs are now available for lease for the first time in Saudi Arabia.
First Lucid EVs available for lease in Saudi Arabia
Lucid produced 2,173 electric cars in the second quarter of 2023, delivering 1,404. The numbers were disappointing, showing a downward trend in production and flat deliveries over the past two quarters.
After its strongest quarter in Q4 2022, Lucid’s production has fallen over 37%, while deliveries are down 27%.
On the positive side, Lucid did have an important update. The company announced it “began material shipments to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is Lucid’s largest shareholder. After injecting around $1.8 billion last month as part of a $3 billion stock sale, Saudi’s PIF owns roughly 60.5% of the EV maker’s common stock. The fund has invested around $9 billion in Lucid to date.
Not even a week after Lucid revealed material shipments have begun to Saudi Arabia, the first EVs are now available for lease, according to reports. The Saudi Post said on Twitter Tuesday:
For the first time in the Kingdom, Saudi leasing companies start leasing luxury electric “Lucid” cars inside the Kingdom.
Lucid revealed last year that the Government of Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase at least 50,000 EVs over the next ten years. The deal is part of the Kingdom’s “Saudi Vision 2030” effort to reduce emissions and put the nation on track for stable economic growth.
The Kingdom is going electric
Saudi Arabia’s economy currently depends on oil, accounting for nearly half of the nation’s GDP. The strategy includes building advanced EVs and exporting them while increasing the contribution of non-oil exports to non-oil GDP to 50%, compared to roughly 16% today. Abdulla Al-Swaha, Saudi’s Minister of Communications and IT, explained in October:
In 2026, the Kingdom will manufacture and export more than 150,000 electric cars.
Al-Swaha said its majority ownership in Lucid “has placed the Kingdom among developed countries.” He added that construction began at Lucid’s first manufacturing plant in the region last May.
The factory in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, will begin re-assembling Lucid Air models pre-built at its Casa Grande, Arizona facility in the US.
Full production is expected to start by 2024, with 155,000 vehicle manufacturing capacity per year once up and running.
Lucid also recently entered into a strategic partnership to provide Aston Martin with its advanced EV powertrain tech. CEO Peter Rawlinson said the deal, worth around $450 million, is just the start of Lucid’s tech business.
Despite a downturn in production and deliveries this year, Lucid is making some moves that could help turn things around. Licensing and selling its proprietary EV powertrain tech could be a potential game changer for Lucid to drive additional profits.
Hopefully, with its first EVs available for lease in Saudi Arabia and a new revenue source, Lucid can return to growth in the second half of the year.
Image credit: The Saudi Post / Theeb rent a car
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June 7, 1991 |
Intel Corp. said it will close its Singapore plant to move manufacturing closer to its customers. About 300 workers will lose their jobs, the Santa Clara, Calif., computer chip maker said. Intel said it hopes to cut costs by moving the manufacturing of circuit boards and systems built at the plant to Oregon and Ireland, where the products will be closer to the companies that purchase them. Intel has 24,000 employees worldwide.
August 13, 2012 |
ATLANTA — Many American companies that had adopted a much-vaunted employee evaluation system have lately been turning away from it. Known as "stacked ranking" or "forced ranking," the process made famous by General Electric Co. is really just a version of what teachers call grading on the curve: a few people at the top, a few at the bottom and the rest clumped in the middle. The practice leaped into the spotlight — at least for people who study how companies perform — when Vanity Fair published in its August issue a profile of technology icon Microsoft Corp.
September 1, 2011
WASHINGTON Nine companies are recalling about 2 million bottles and jugs of the gel fuel used in outdoor patio decorations known as firepots because of the risk of serious burns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the gel fuel has been linked to several dozen cases in which people were burned when they couldn't tell whether the flame was out. Pouring more gel on a burning pot can lead to dangerous flares or burns. The companies are: Bird Brain Inc. of Ypsilanti, Mich.; Bond Manufacturing of Antioch, Calif.; Sunjel Company of Milwaukee; Fuel Barons Inc. of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; Lamplight Farms Inc. of Menomonee Falls, Wis.; Luminosities Inc. of St. Paul, Minn.; Pacific Decor Ltd. of Woodinville, Wash.; Real Flame of Racine, Wis.; Smart Solar USA of Oldsmar, Fla. The commission says Marshall Group of Elkhart, Ind., pulled out of the public announcement at the last minute.
February 12, 2014 |
WASHINGTON - The White House has released guidelines aimed at prodding companies that run some of the nation's most essential services such as utilities, cellphone towers and banks to better protect themselves from cyberattacks. Officials said the guidelines, developed under an executive order that President Obama signed a year ago, provide companies overseeing the nation's crucial infrastructure with a blueprint for identifying potential threats, protecting themselves from cyberattacks and, if an attack occurs, recovering from it. But the voluntary nature of the guidelines showed how sharply proponents of strong regulation have scaled back their ambitions - and even their language - in the face of industry opposition to government intervention.
March 20, 2013 |
NEW YORK -- The economy may be improving, but many U.S. companies are still hanging on to record amounts of cash, something they usually do in times of economic turmoil. U.S. companies held $1.45 trillion in cash in 2012, up 10% from the $1.32 trillion they held in 2011 -- which at that time was a record level, according to a new report from Moody's Investors Service. Apple is sitting on $137 billion in cash, a fact not lost on investors, who have sued in an effort to get Apple to give some of that cash to shareholders.
April 18, 2014 |
Just as consumers make their preferences for cereal flavors or pizzas known with dollars, they can choose to patronize companies that they believe do good in the world. And companies are competing for consumer attention with labels calling out their causes. But a product's claims to be providing clean drinking water to desert villages or saving an endangered species doesn't answer all the important questions. How much is donated? How reliable is the cause? The nonprofit organization B Lab gives companies a "B Corp" certification and icon that it says is a litmus test that gives shoppers confidence they're supporting more than good marketing.