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How to cancel Amazon Music subscription without paying $5.99 per month
The cost of Amazon Music subscriptions is going to rise to $5 a month in a bid to cut the number of people paying for it.
Amazon announced on Monday that its annual subscription will rise to just $49.99, up from $49 a year ago, from $79.99.
That is also up from the $99 a year Amazon Music service had previously offered.
While the change means that Amazon Music subscribers will be paying $7.99 a month on top of the existing $7/month, it doesn’t mean that Amazon will actually stop people from using the service.
In fact, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has indicated that Amazon plans to continue selling the service even if it becomes a subscription.
“We are going to continue to sell it,” Bezos told the Wall Street Journal.
“We’re not going to stop it.”
The reason for this change is to cut down on churn.
Amazon’s chief financial officer, David Marcus, said during the company’s earnings call last month that the subscription will eventually be a $7 per month plan.
Amazon is also introducing new features in the service, such as a new “subscribe” button for people who have already subscribed to the service but want to cancel it.
“There is no question that the new pricing model is designed to reduce churn,” Marcus said at the time.
“Amazon Music has seen unprecedented growth in subscribers in the last year, and our goal is to continue that momentum by lowering the cost of our subscription to encourage people to subscribe.
We are also working to create a free-to-air streaming service in the coming months.”
The subscription will only be offered on Amazon Prime members, which includes unlimited Prime Video streaming and $99 per year of Prime Air.
But it will still be possible to buy Amazon Music through the company.
For its part, Amazon is taking a different approach than other major music services, such the iTunes Music Store.
The company has made changes to its pricing, which is the biggest change from the current model.
Amazon Music will remain free on iOS devices, and will be available for $9.99 on Android devices, as well.


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Some new scamming activity has scammers ditching the phones for more personal encounters.
A report of someone being sold a fake gold ring last week in the co-op parking lot said it turned the buyers finger green. Another incident was revealed over the weekend in Munson. It looks like scammers are trying to make a quick buck with fake product.
This someone was not reported to the Drumheller RCMP but Staff Sergent Kevin Charles suggests not buying items from strangers in parking lots.
"I've heard of it in other jurisdictions but I haven't heard of anything around here yet," stated Staff Sgt. Charles. "It's one of those things; If someone is trying to sell you a TV from the back of their truck, that should raise red flags. Like-wise, if these people are going door-to-door trying to sell you jewellery, that doesn't sound legitimate as well."
A similar occurrence happened a few weeks ago when Constable Eric Doucette asked DrumFM to put out a description of an individual selling electronics out of the back of his van.
"Be smart about it, don't be a victim," informed Charles. "If they come knocking on your door either don't answer or say no thank you."
"Please call the police and let us know so we can follow up and investigate," Charles concluded. "We'd like to determine if this is fraudulent with fake jewellery or perhaps it's stolen items, we don't know."
If you have information or find yourself in a similar situation call the Drumheller Detachment at 403-823-7590.

domain: news


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Despite crisis in our state and in the whole world, socially - the economic situation of the Nikolaev area not only didn't worsen, but even improved. In particular, it concerns agriculture - at least, in the reports the Nikolaev regional state administration so reports.
So, during the period from January to November of this year the general production of agriculture in comparison with the similar period of last year increased by 1,9 times, including the agricultural enterprises by 2,4 times, population farms - by 43,8%.
This year in area 2,5 million tons of grain that is nearly 4 times more, than in previous year, 200 thousand tons of the colza, more than 500 thousand tons of sunflower, 180 thousand tons of potatoes, 240 thousand tons of vegetables and 80 thousand tons of fruit were collected. About it reports a press - service Nikolaev YEAH.
As for the total amount of realization of agrarian production the agricultural enterprises for the specified period, in comparison with last year's indicators it increased by 1,5 times.


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Hybrids Edge Batteries, As Industry Cranks Up Electric Mode.
“Having a (plug-in hybrid) with a small battery giving you 50 to 60 kilometers, that’s what people want”
The auto industry has convinced itself it needs to produce more electric vehicles, but there’s one more decision to make – should it go for battery only, or plug-in hybrid.
At the moment, the future looks to be with plug-in hybrids, with battery-only less favored. Meanwhile Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is adamant it has to be pure electric. A plug-in hybrid is a mere interim solution on the way to an all electric future, Musk says.
The weight of evidence currently available suggests Musk is wrong. Admittedly, this “evidence” is really subjective, but it comes from reliable corporate players.
According to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co of Germany, a big privately owned major supplier of components for the automotive and aerospace industries, by 2030 about 38% of global vehicles will be hybrids of one kind or another, while pure electric vehicles (EVs) will account for just 10%. That still leaves just over 50% powered by traditional internal combustion engines (ICE).
GKN, British automotive supplier with annual sales of about $9 billion, reckons just over 20% will be EVs in 2030, but hybrids will account for close to 25%, with a still leading segment of ICE engines. By 2025, most estimates center around 5% for EVs, with Volkswagen out on a limb at 25%, and Mercedes parent Daimler expecting between 15 and 20%. Last year EVs accounted for less than 1%, and estimates for 2020 range from 2% to 5%.
Latest data from Automotive Industry Data (AID) shows plug-in hybrids currently pulling ahead of EVs but with pitifully small market shares. Plug-ins’ Western Europe market share was 0.67% in the first seven months of 2016, while EV’s slid to 0.59%. A total of nearly 57,500 plug-in hybrids were sold, led by the Mitsubishi Outlander and followed by the Volkswagen Golf GTE, and the VW Passat GTE.
According to Paris-based Frost & Sullivan analyst Nicolas Meilhan, electric cars carry fatal flaws and plug-in hybrids will be successful in the mass market. Meilhan also said the building of a fast-charging network is unnecessary and won’t work.
“Renault has now raised the range of its Zoe to 400 kilometers (250 miles) and Volkswagen claims 600 kilometers (375 miles) by 2020 (for the ID), but this kind of range will only be needed for about 5% of trips when driving on motorways, where the autonomy is expected to only be half of that. And when you go for long trips at the weekend or holidays, even if each (gas station) has two chargers that will take 20 minutes for a “refill” while for regular fuel there will be 10 outlets which take a maximum of 4 minutes. People will have to wait two to three hours and nobody is going to do that,” he said.
“Having a (plug-in hybrid) with a small battery giving you 50 to 60 kilometers (maximum close to 40 miles), that’s what people want,” Meilhan said.
A typical plug-in hybrid on the market today will have a battery-only range capable of coping with most daily commutes, at least in Europe, with the huge range offered by the ICE engine too. The battery can be recharged independently or while free-wheeling on the road. The battery on regular hybrids can’t be charged independently and only allows maybe one mile of battery-only operation. The problem is the two power plants add a huge amount of weight. The complexity adds big extra costs.
Meilhan also said supplies of cobalt, crucial in the manufacture of batteries, are coming under pressure, so small batteries are likely to be more viable to spread the availability wider.
Plug-in hybrids are a blind alley, said Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
“I don’t believe in plug-in hybrids. They are too expensive and not a real (green) alternative,” Dudenhoeffer said.
He said costs and the weight are too high. Plug-in hybrids are also seen as not very environmentally friendly because most plug-in hybrid drivers will use internal combustion engine power for most the time, he said.
Volkswagen might have the highest target for EVs by 2025, but it is also expecting plug-in hybrids to be more popular because it plans a total of 19 by 2025 and only 9 EVs. The other big German manufacturers have similar plans. At the Paris Car Show, which closed Sunday, electric cars were to the fore, led by the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt, the Opel Ampera E. The Bolt/Ampera has a claimed range of 249 miles.
Tesla’s mass market electric car, the model 3, is expected by late 2017.
At the Paris show, more than 24 new electric models were announced. This included a Mercedes Tesla Model X competitor, the Generation EQ concept, an electric SUV with a claimed range of about 300 miles. “EQ” is the new Mercedes electric sub-brand.
Electric vehicles pose a huge potential investment problem for manufacturers because harsh CO2 rules for 2021 need to be met, and cheaper diesel was thought to be the mainstay of this policy. Roughly every other car Europeans buy is a diesel. But diesel sales are on the wane, not least because of health worries.
Electric vehicle sales have been slow in Europe because they are very expensive compared with the conventional counterparts. Sales would collapse without generous government subsidies.
If sales of these vehicles are going to rise significantly, and given their high price and erratic range, governments may well decide that the only way to do this is to force them on the public. After the green zealot market is sated, governments will have to step in to force sales. So expect subsidies to continue, politicians to make CO2 rules tighter, and mandate sales targets, while local governments ban diesels from city centers, and give traffic priority to electric cars.
“Plug-in hybrids are also seen as not very environmentally friendly because most plug-in hybrid drivers will use internal combustion engine power for most the time, said Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer “.
As a user I beg to differ, i’ve used a PHEV two and a half years and have rarely used petrol as all our daily trips are within the electric range. This was something I took into account when choosing it. Before this car I had a full electric and I found its greater range was wasted so I kept a conventional car for long runs not wanting the inconvenience of planning for charging or finding charge points being used or inop.
Everyone’s usage is different so I wonder how his statement can have any credence.


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In a survey ranking the top 3 CEOs of the world, there is a huge chance that the front-runners would be the tech giants who have made household names of innovators like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook.
In Glassdoor’s report on 2017’s 100 leading CEOs, however, none of those esteemed names have made it to the top five. Musk does land on #8, and Zuckerberg occupies the tenth slot. Cook is at a low #53, while Bezos is nowhere to be found. The one tech company that made it to the top five, Fast Enterprises, is a low-profile but profitable software solution firm that services solid, essential, if ‘unglamorous’ businesses like accounting and relocation.
What distinguishes Glassdoor’s survey of its top 100 CEOs from others is that it measures the leadership performance of its winners through the eyes of the employees. The survey participants gave their answers anonymously, their identities safeguarded. Each leader who was included in the list is managing a US-or-European-based corporation that has an average of 1000 workers. Their management styles, ways of doing business, and campaigns to take the company to the next high level are the ones that are being assessed and not just their capabilities of turning a profit or increasing the stock value in the market.
Take a look at the top 3 CEOs who were ranked highest by their employees. While some of them may not ring a bell, their workforce and other shareholders do respect and admire them. Because of their track record, excellent performance, and empathic qualities, customers, clients, allies, and other partners also are more than willing to conduct a long-term engagement with them.
#1: Benno Dorer
CEO of the Clorox Company, an $18-billion firm that provides services like water filtration, was acclaimed because of the clarity in communicating his vision and strategies. As explained by Business Insider, Employees were also made to feel like they had a seat at the table, and their ideas were heard and recognized. Career advancement opportunities and job-rotation also ensured that employees grew in their roles and professions.
#2: Jim Kavanaugh
Kavanaugh is the CEO of Worldwide Technology, a $9-billion technology provider based in Maryland that provides supply chain solutions to organizations all over the world. The St. Louis Business Journal says Worldwide Tech is a privately owned firm founded by Kavanaugh and company Chairman David Steward. This leadership grew the business by more than 300 percent in just ten years. Kavanaugh is continuing the expansion of his company through innovation centers, with 500-700 engineers, cloud architects, and software developers to be recruited in the next couple of years.
#3: Michael F. Mahoney
Mahoney the CEO of medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. The Boston Globe credits him for turning around the legacy company, known for its health equipment that addresses cardiovascular and urological problems among others, and making it more competitive in a tougher business climate. He pushed for increased overseas expansion and revitalized the sales force. His management style has also made the company more stable, both for its customers and its employees.
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Marketers may be making all the wrong assumptions about mothers, according to a Saatchi & Saatchi report. The research, which surveyed 8,000 mothers of newborns to 17-year olds across China, Germany, Italy, India, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S., suggest that there is a huge gap between what marketers think moms want compared to the reality of their needs.
According to Australian news source B&T, marketers need to step away from outdated descriptions of motherhood that call it “the toughest job in the world.” Instead, Saatchi & Saatchi finds nine roles marketers should attribute to the value of a mother’s identity:
Career – 47%
Elder – 13%
Coach – 11%
Hero – 7%
Safe House – 7%
Fan – 5%
Playmate – 4%
Friend – 4%
Rule-breaker – 2%
With nearly half of moms playing the role of a professional, marketers need to reshape the way they’ve been perceiving mothers for the last several decades. Instead, as working mothers become the norm, marketers may get a better response from this segment by appealing to mothers’ many other roles.
Mary Mills, worldwide director of strategic intelligence at Saatchi & Saatchi, reminds marketers that bolstering the stereotype of motherhood as a sacred, nurturing responsibility may pressure moms even more rather than appeal or let alone encourage them.
“Avoid the ‘happy housewife,’ the one-dimensional caretaker, the striving perfectionist,” said Mills to B&T. “Motherhood is not an innate ability, and moms feel they never quite nail it, so remind her that mastery is not required.”
Read the original article on B&T.


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By Oanh Do
November 29, 2023 | 10:34
The tourism and hotel industry is being more careful in its plans to promote business growth in the face of shifting needs, and preferences for tourist groups in the future.
By Ha Thuy
November 28, 2023 | 08:45
Ba Ria-Vung Tau aims to host a chain of coastal urban areas with strong advantages in developing the maritime economy and the oil and gas industry.
By Oanh Do
November 24, 2023 | 10:25
Hotelbeds is paying special attention to the Southeast Asian tourism market in general, and Vietnam in particular, thanks to its impressive potential.
November 21, 2023 | 15:39
Foreign tourists visiting Vietnam will be subject to a new visa policy beginning on August 15, 2023, with notable changes including the issuance of 90-day e-visas and an increase in the temporary stay period for people entering the country under unilateral visa exemption to 45 days.
By Nguyen Toan
November 21, 2023 | 10:33
Taking advantage of its inherent potential, Danang is aiming to become a world-class tourism centre.
By Thanh Van
November 10, 2023 | 20:15
New technology initiatives have been launched to accelerate the digital transformation of Vietnam's tourism industry.
November 08, 2023 | 16:55
Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, has named the UNESCO-recognised heritage Ha Long Bay in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh on its list of the 51 most beautiful places in the world.
November 08, 2023 | 16:51
The recognition of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in September has positively impacted the tourism industry in the northern port city of Hai Phong, home to the Cat Ba islands.
By Hong Thuy
November 07, 2023 | 09:00
Angsana and Dhawa Ho Tram has been awarded 5-stars by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
By Hoang Dan
November 06, 2023 | 20:00
Much more has to be done to boost Phu Quoc Island’s hotel occupancy rates and travel options after a tough year.


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Northern Ontario could see vaccinations in pharmacies in a couple of weeks, OPA says
A total of 365 Ontario pharmacies being "on-boarded" in preparation to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine
People in northern Ontario are looking at neighbours to the south and wondering why a pharmacy vaccination roll-out is happening there, but not up here.
The head of the Ontario Pharmacists Association says work is underway to bring vaccines to the north in the next couple of weeks.
"The first step of that is to get the vaccines that have been released from the U.S. government stockpile into the federal government. And once they've taken receipt of those vaccines, they will apportion a certain amount to the provinces," explained Justin Bates.
"We expect a sizeable amount will be allocated to Ontario."
While that happens, Bates says 365 pharmacies will be "on-boarded" in preparation to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine. Only the Astra-Zeneca vaccine is available through pharmacies as it requires simple refrigeration for storage.
"Our goal is to have coverage across all of the province to increase the equitable access to the vaccine," Bates said.
"We're still working to determine the exact number of pharmacies in each of the regions, but we'll have coverage and access in northern Ontario."
Determining which regions will get the vaccines is a collaborative effort with the local public health units and the Ministry of Health.
"We've set a certain criteria on how we select pharmacies and they have determined the number of stores that will be selected for each of the regions, based on population distribution outbreaks of the COVID-19," Bates said.
"And so what we would expect to see is sort of a minimum amount in population areas that are lower and then clusters of pharmacies in urban areas where there's outbreaks. But that will all be adjusted based on the data that's coming in."
That's a key line of sight they need in terms of determining next steps.
"It's really a two-pronged approach. We have to replenish the existing stores who have just given the first dose to ensure that we can get the second dose into those patients and then also ensuring there's enough supply for the new 365 stores," Bates said.
"And that 365 is going to multiply, real quick. Because by the end of April, we're planning to add another 800 stores across the province to bring us to a total of 1,500."
Bates says their goal over the next two weeks is to have the additional 365 stores ready to go and to start putting needles in arms.
"I think for all health care providers that have been involved in this and also the general population, it's a very emotional time. It's an anxious time, having gone through a year of the pandemic and knowing that getting vaccinated is our best hope to achieving herd immunity and moving beyond whatever our post pandemic world looks like," Bates said.
"I know when the pharmacists saw the first box of 500 doses come into their stores a couple of weeks ago, many were tearing up, just trying to take it all in."
He says his colleagues are proud to be part of the effort to vaccinate people.
"Because it really is a group effort with primary care physicians, and public health units running the mass immunization clinics," Bates said.
"We have a lot of passionate health care providers that are ready to do this. We just need to make sure we have the supply to create that capacity."
With files from Kate Rutherford


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In a recent update on the work done by the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, we expressed significant concern about the undeniable acceleration of the effects of climate change. It is encouraging to hear the Government’s insistence that there are a number of projects with that critical focus but having a national strategy would provide us all with the opportunity to identify the ways we can make a contribution.
As a way to add to the conversation, BEST offers these recommendations:
• Focus on renewable, sustainable power generation such as solar and wind, and move away from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and LNG
• Phase out the importation of gasoline and diesel-fuelled vehicles to facilitate full transition to electric vehicles. Invest in new infrastructure to facilitate e-vehicles and conduct retraining classes for local mechanics
• Continue with the proposed ban on the use of single-use plastics that is already under way.
• Strengthen recycling in Bermuda (tin, aluminium and glass) by making it mandatory. Explore recycling options for other materials (eg, hard and soft plastics). Incentivise composting for food waste, starting with supermarkets and restaurants, and make the recycling of cooking oils a requirement
• Create more marine-protected habitats to conserve our fisheries and reefs
• Protect our remaining arable land for farming, promote locally grown produce, create more community gardens and incentivise home vegetable gardens
• Train an upcycle team and create an industrial park used for possible repurpose of waste
• Plant more trees island-wide and promote a public-awareness campaign to highlight the environmental, economic and health value of trees. Planting trees is perhaps one of the easiest things to do to combat climate change and huge projects are taking place globally
•Buy/consume less meat, milk, cheese and butter, and buy more locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Support our farms!
• Avoid using single-use plastics wherever possible — take reusable bags to supermarkets and ask for more sustainable, biodegradable packaging at your favourite takeout establishments.
• Reuse and recycle tin, aluminium and glass; and compost food and horticultural waste
• Make the switch to an electric vehicle at your next car/bike purchase. Use public transport when possible, or walk or cycle to work
• Make sure your home uses energy-efficient appliances, follow home energy-saving best practices, and invest in solar panels for renewable energy generation if possible
• Adopt a less materialistic lifestyle — our Western consumer-driven society is incredibly wasteful and a significant drain on the Earth’s resources. Anything shipped or flown to Bermuda has a huge environmental cost in terms of resources used and fuel burnt. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it
• Ask your restaurants and supermarkets to disclose where their meat and seafood comes from and whether it is sustainable, to encourage more responsible sourcing methods — many businesses in Britain and North America are now doing this
• Support the creation of marine-protected areas to ensure full protection of our nearshore waters, indefinitely, for future generations
• Don’t overdevelop your property and preserve open spaces.
• Plant trees
• Support the many local environmental charities and projects that help to conserve our reefs, fisheries and shorelines, such as the Keep Bermuda Beautiful beach clean-ups and lionfish-culling tournaments


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Canadian Cannabis Stocks And The Current Market
In today’s trading, top marijuana stocks have given back most of what they gained since the start of September. Now eight days in and most cannabis stocks continue to decline in value. For over six months we have seen a downward trend in top pot stocks. One area that has experienced substantial declines in Canadian marijuana stocks. In 2021 the cannabis sector rallied in the first quarter but as the year progressed has been losing ground in the market.
In Canada, the market has grown, and companies have improved their balance sheets substantially from prior earnings. However Canadian cannabis companies are not performing as well as their US counterparts. It seems a changing of the guard is taking place and American companies are leading the industry. In 2021 many investors believed the US would have already ended federal cannabis prohibition and allow Canadian companies to enter the American market. But with nothing from Congress yet some investors have gone to other areas of the market.
To find the best Canadian cannabis stocks to invest in traders need to research leading cannabis companies and study how these stocks perform in the market. For instance, looking at a company’s latest financials to see revenue growth and cash flow for future expansion are good measures in the search for potential candidates. In addition, studying how a stock performs in the market can help you establish the best entry point for your investment.
Will Marijuana Stocks Go Back Up?
For a minute September began looking like top pot stocks would climb higher in the market. But with today’s pullback in most of the cannabis sector, some of these marijuana stocks could hold value for investors. In the Canadian cannabis market, there are companies that are performing better than others. For the past couple of years, many changes have occurred with mergers and acquisitions that continue to change who the market leader is in Canada.
One leading Canadian company that has recently emerged as one of the top revenue producers is Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY). Notably, TLRY stock was one of the cannabis stocks that became famous for its part in the Reddit investor rally of January where the stock gained significant value. Let’s take a closer look at 2 other Canadian cannabis stocks for your watchlist in September 2021.
Best Canadian Marijuana Stocks To Watch This Week
High Tide Inc.
High Tide Inc is a retail-focused cannabis corporation that also manufactures and distributes consumption accessories. At the present time, High Tide has a portfolio of companies that include a dominant Canadian cannabis retail chain, and a global manufacturer and distributor of cutting-edge smoking accessories. Notably, the company has established the largest accessories eCommerce platform in the world. In August High Tide opened its 21st retail location in Ontario which is the companies 89th branded retail location across Canada. On August 18th the company announced that its company shares have now been included in the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSE: MJ).
High Tide reported its second-quarter 2021 results with revenue increasing 99% to $40.9 million. As a result, gross profit margins for the first quarter were $4.7 million compared to $1.8 million year over year. In the second quarter, the company completed the acquisition of Smoke Cartel Inc and launched the sale of hemp-derived CBD products under its Grasscity brand. Overall, High Tide continues to see rapid expansion into the US cannabis market through the acquisition of a leading online retailer Dankstop. High Tide will provide its third quarter 2021 results on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, after the market close.
HITI Stock Performance
HITI stock is trading at $7.39 on September 8, 2021, up 18.51% in the last month. The stock has a 52-week price range of $3.00-$13.29 and is up 149.29% year to date. According to analysts at Market Beat HITI stock has a consensus price target of $15.00 per share. In essence, this would represent an upside of 10% from its current trading price of $7.39. Currently one of the Canadian pot stocks holding some of its value in 2021 HITI stock could be a top marijuana stock to watch in September.
Aurora Cannabis Inc.
Next on the list is Aurora Cannabis Inc. a leading Canadian company that produces and distributes medical cannabis products globally. In its latest earnings, Aurora announced its third-quarter fiscal 2021 results with domestic medical net revenue at $26.9 million. Generally, the company had strong international medical revenue of $9.4 million. For the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the company has total cannabis net revenue of $58.4 million.
Recently, the company announced its entry into the US market through the acquisition of Reliva a CBD producing company in America. Aurora also expanded its San Rafael ’71 portfolio with the launch of 3 new proprietary cultivars. In July, the company delivered an $8 million shipment of cannabis to Israel. Right now, the company is working on restructuring its balance sheet. Ultimately, it has fulfilled the inaugural shipment to the French medical cannabis pilot program. Aurora will release its fourth-quarter fiscal year 2021 results on September 21st after the market close.
ACB Stock Performance
At the present time, ACB stock is trading at $6.94 on September 8, 2021, down 3.07% for the trading day. The stock has a 52-week price target of $3.71-$18.98 down 13.84% year to date. According to analysts at CNN Business, ACB stock has a 12-month median price target of $6.61 per share. In this case, this would represent a downside of 4.31% from its current trading price of $6.94. As Canadian companies continue to expand globally ACB stock could be a top cannabis stock for your list this week.
MAPH Enterprises, LLC | (305) 414-0128 | 1501 Venera Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | firstname.lastname@example.org


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Ghanaian consumers will have to pay more for electricity as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an 18.36% increase in the average end-user tariff for the second quarter of 2023.
This comes after a 29.63% hike in the first quarter of the same year.
The PURC said the tariff adjustment was necessitated by the net effect of further currency depreciation, inflation, and an increase in the cost of gas.
The Ghanaian cedi has lost more than 20% of its value against the US dollar since the beginning of 2023, while inflation has risen to over 15%.
The tariff increase is also part of the conditions for Ghana to receive financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is expected to approve a first loan tranche of a $3 billion package on Wednesday.
The IMF program aims to help Ghana restore fiscal stability and debt sustainability, as well as boost economic growth.
The PURC said it was aware of the impact of the tariff hike on consumers and businesses, but added that it was necessary to ensure reliable and quality electricity supply. It said utility companies were under-covering and required an upward adjustment of their rates in order to keep the lights on.
The commission also urged consumers to conserve energy and use it efficiently, as well as report any illegal connections or theft of electricity to the authorities.
Tariff Hike and Reasons Behind It
The recent tariff increase in Ghana amounts to 18.36% for the second quarter of 2023, further burdening consumers who are already facing economic challenges. The decision to raise tariffs is primarily driven by the combined impact of currency depreciation, inflation, and increased gas costs.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission stated that utility companies are currently operating at a loss and require higher rates to maintain a reliable power supply. The commission also warned about the potential for electricity outages if the tariff adjustment is not implemented.
Ghana’s Economic Challenges
Ghana has been grappling with various economic challenges that have strained its financial stability. The country’s inflation rate has been on the rise, reaching high levels in recent times.
Additionally, Ghana’s debt burden has become increasingly burdensome, necessitating financial assistance from external sources.
The depreciation of the national currency, the Ghanaian cedi, has further compounded these challenges, making it more difficult for the government and businesses to manage their finances effectively.
Implications for Consumers and Businesses
The tariff increase will directly impact consumers and businesses in Ghana. Higher electricity costs will likely lead to increased operating expenses for businesses, potentially affecting their profitability and ability to expand. Consumers, already facing economic hardships, will bear the brunt of higher electricity bills, putting further strain on their budgets.


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A recent statistics published by the Visit USA Association has revealed that during this year, Britain has been seeing a record number of visitors from Britain.
The Telegraph has reported that based on the figures noted through May, there was not less than 11 percent rise in the number of UK visitors to America, when compared to the number recorded during the same time last year.
The article in the newspaper suggests that the increase was mainly on account of the conversion rate of pound to dollar that has become highly favourable now. In addition, the Brits appear to take a great advantage of the good vales presently available in accommodation and shopping.
According to Peter Moss, chairman of visit USA, the results obtained so far for this year confirm that the year 2008 is not a very good year for the tourism industry of the US.
He further continued, "The figures really do support the fact that 2008 may well go on to become the biggest year ever for UK travel to the USA - possibly as high as five million visitors."
Earlier during this week, British Airways has revealed that the figures offering similar results. The report identifies four of its US destinations constituting the top five global destinations of the carrier.
Most notably, Brits heading to US for holiday find the best value for their money with respect to issues particularly like car hire. In addition, the UK Post Office has recently reported that the US is the cheapest destination in terms of diesel and petrol fuel.


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MPC have posted a VFX breakdown of their work on Dark Shadows.
MPC's VFX for Dark Shadows
MPC have released a press release about their VFX work on Dark Shadows.
MPC - Advertising Reel 2011
MPC have posted their advertising demo reel for 2011, showcasing some of their amazing visual effects work.
MPC - Sky, 360 - Making Of
MPC's have a new video on the creation of their 360 spot for Sky Movies.


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Waymo's self-driving taxis, Twitter's expansion to 280 characters
This is CNET, and here are the stories that matter right now.
Waymo is back in the news, as it will soon start its frist totally autonomous self-driving taxi program in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona.
A fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Minivans, will be the vehicle of choice and will let customer hail a ride through an app.
No human will sit in the driver's seat but a Waymo employee will be on board just in case they need to hit the pullover button.
Google has pushed out a software update with the company's Pixel 2 XL phone.
It offers a few fixes for recent complaints about the new device.
These items include a saturated color option to make the colors on the screen pop more, a navigation bar dimmer to lessen the likelihood of burning And some other house cleaning items.
Google also released the [UNKNOWN] for the WiFi vulnerability known as Crack.
And finally Twitter has expanded the limit of characters from 140 to 280 for all it's users.
The move has been met with some controversy of course as opinions range from it taking away from the core idea of Twitter To the fact that Twitter has bigger social issues it needs to address first.
You can stay with the latest by downloading the c/net tech to the app in the apple or google play store.
Google lets you contribute to Street View, Facebook polices 'most...
Salesforce buys Slack, US Labor Board alleges Google broke labor...
Samsung could reportedly end Galaxy Note production, Qualcomm...
FCC to get new chair, Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta to expand...
Black Friday figures, UK to remove Huawei equipment
Twitter verification is coming back, Elon Musk now the second...
TikTok increases accessibility , YouTube suspends One America...


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DIY giants B&Q has boosted profits by shelving itsblanket discount days.
Instead, it is using its marketing budget to promote bigger moneyspinners such as kitchens and giving interest-free credit.
As owner Kingfisher revealed that profits are up nearly a quarter to £354million in the six months to August, boss Euan Sutherland said: “We’re not chasing sales unless it’s profitable business.”
He explained that savvy shoppers wait for promotions such as “15% off if you spend over £50” – which simply shifts trade from one day to another rather than generating extra sales.
Sutherland added: “So we’re concentrating now on offering people the chance to get a whole new kitchen, including tiling and lighting, for £90 a month over five years.”
The firm has also spent a lot on new kitchen, bathroom and lighting ranges which are getting more space.
The switch in strategy helped B&Q boost profits nearly 16% despite a 3.7% sales drop.


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Apple Vs HTC – First Ruling Goes To Apple.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 09:35 Written by LoganDX Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:00
Early last year, Apple filed a little lawsuit against HTC, claiming the Taiwanese company had infringed upon ten of their patents. The House of Jobs felt HTC lifted hardware designs, the technology behind the multi-touch input, and even the basic architecture found in the phones. A judge with the U.S International Trade Commission has decided there is enough evidence that HTC may have infringed on only two of Apple’s patents. The patents in question are related to processing applications and interpreting system data. The last one is of note because that’s the one that recognizes things like phone numbers, highlights them and allows the user to use that data, in this case make a phone call.
Those two bits are highly important to Android’s core operating system and could cause Google’s Android partners severe damage if upheld. The other downside could be the banning of all HTC handsets imported into the United States. Since this is only an initial ruling, it could be overturned when it is reviewed by a six person commission later this year. The final outcome is expected on December 6th of this year and of course HTC plans to fight the ruling. Hit the jump and read their press release.
ITC JUDGES RELEASES INITIAL DETERMINATION IN APPLE VS. HTC CASE
Taoyuan, Taiwan–July 16, 2011 – HTC received notice of the ITC judge’s initial determination in the Apple vs. HTC case, ITC No. 337-TA-710. Apple originally asserted 10 of its patents against HTC in March 2010, and the judge ruled today that HTC infringed on 2 patents. HTC does not yet have access to the judge’s full opinion and analysis to determine the details of his findings.
“We are highly confident we have a strong case for the ITC appeals process and are fully prepared to defend ourselves using all means possible,” said Grace Lei, General Counsel of HTC. “We strongly believe we have alternate solutions in place for the issues raised by Apple. We look forward to resolving this case, so we can continue creating the most innovative mobile experiences for consumers.”
The ITC’s Staff Attorney independently studied the facts and argued at trial that HTC does not violate any of the 10 Apple patents.
The ITC has already ruled that Apple is infringing the patents of HTC’s subsidiary S3 Graphics as part of ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-724. HTC announced its acquisition of S3Graphics on July 6, 2011.
HTC is a leading innovator of smartphones that has developed a strong customer brand, unique user experience and differentiated smartphone portfolio.
Founded in 1997 with a passion for innovation and a vision for how smartphones would change people’s lives, HTC has continually driven this vision by consistently introducing award-winning smartphones worldwide. In February 2011, HTC was honored as the handset maker of the year by the GSMA, the mobile industries global trade association. For more information on HTC’s history of innovation, please visit: http://www.htc.com/history
Oh yeah and Apple is also suing Motorola for most of the same things. Is this Apple’s new plan for dominance, litigating instead of innovating?
Source: Boy Genius Report
- ITC finds HTC guilty of infringing two of Apple’s patents, appeal expected in 3… 2… (engadget.com)
- Eric Schmidt: Apple is suing us instead of innovating, will make sure HTC doesn’t lose patent suit (bgr.com)


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This year’s Petfood Forum will emphasize transparency in the pet food supply and how the industry can build greater consumer confidence.
Good customer service is imperative to running a successful business.
Paul Cannella, president and founder of PoopBags.com, discusses how his company continues to stand out in the pet industry more than a decade after it first innovated the pick-up bags category.
By offering a unique product selection, coupled with exceptional customer service in a fun and entertaining environment, independent pet stores can come out ahead of the pack.
In seven short years, ZippyPaws has evolved from an ambitious startup toy company to a fast-growing, recognizable brand with an increasingly diverse product lineup.
Functional treats offer consumers a way to support their pets’ physical and mental wellbeing.
New technology makes investing in pet ID products easier, more affordable and smarter than ever before.
These pest-prevention products keep pets safe by tackling ticks and fighting fleas.
Professional groomers should take a broad and ongoing approach to promoting their business if they want to grow or even maintain a healthy client base.
Achieve a perfect finish on short, low-maintenance trims by following these simple suggestions.
While most of your Poodle clients can be kept in any number of cuts, this German trim is perfect for pets and competitions alike.
Just because a treat is an indulgence doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy. These featured treats provide a wide array of nutritional benefits.
These nutritious pet food selections promote a healthy diet and overall wellness.
Sales data collected from more than 11,000 pet specialty stores reveals the pet food trends that are driving success for retailers across the country.
With growing consumer interest in high-quality pet nutrition and an ever-expanding variety of food, treats and other consumables on the market, retailers have an opportunity to reach new levels of sales success with these fast-moving categories.
Humanization in the pet industry is driving a desire for pet furniture that strikes a balance between fashion and function.
Manufacturers are making it easier than ever for pet owners to help their dogs and cats maintain healthy teeth and gums—an essential part of our four-legged friends’ overall wellness.
From adjustable feeders to collapsible bowls, this selection features innovative products that will make mealtime mess-free.
John Howe, CEO of Manna Pro, discusses how his company continues to expand the diverse range of products it offers for nurturing animal health and enhancing the bonds between pets and their owners.
The Pet Leadership Council is playing a vital role in propelling the pet industry forward on a number of fronts.


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Microsoft is giving away Halo 3 for free to any Xbox Live Gold subscriber until October 31, as part of its ongoing Games with Gold promotion.
The usual price for the game is $14.99, but Microsoft is looking to add to the rank and file of its Xbox Live Gold subscriptions.
The "Alien" director will serve as executive producer on the project, which is due to be released later this year.
The minds behind Halo, one of the most successful game franchises ever made, hope to strike it again with a massive new game being bankrolled in part by Activision Blizzard.
Halo was first released in 2001 for the Xbox, and has racked up some impressive numbers over the succeeding 11 years.
Microsoft and Activision are teaming up to give 'Guitar Hero III' players a free download of the 'Halo' theme song.
Sony might be leading the console market, but Microsoft's free game offer with the purchase of a new Xbox One could make a difference.
The console will bring with it more than 70 games, including exclusive content, free-to-play games, and "blockbuster" titles, says Microsoft.
Program that gives Xbox Live subscribers free games twice a month is being extended by Microsoft indefinitely.
Believe it or not, Halo 4 might be the start of an even better trilogy than before.


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Taiwan’s HTC on Tuesday unveiled a new smartphone boasting a higher resolution display that Apple’s iPhone 5 just days before its rival’s latest handset goes on sale on the island.
The HTC Butterfly features a 5-inch screen with a pixel density of 440 ppi (pixels per inch) and full 1080P HD resolution, compared to the iPhone 5’s 4-inch screen at 326 ppi at a lower resolution. Check out the full specifications here.
“We are confident that HTC Butterfly will set a new example for high-end smartphones,” chief executive Peter Chou said at the launch in Taipei.
HTC sells its own smartphones and also makes handsets for a number of leading US companies, including Google’s Nexus One.
The company has recently unveiled a new series of smartphones as it faces intense competition from Apple and South Korea’s Samsung and seen its third quarter profit tumble 79.1 percent year-on-year.
HTC and Apple were locked in more than 20 patent lawsuits worldwide until the two firms reached a global patent settlement last month. The world’s leading technology firms have routinely pounded each other with patent suits.


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Tesla Fire Explained
Tesla shareholders have been going craycray after a Model S caught fire this week. Apparently, in the couple of days following this incident, the company’s shares dropped a little over 6%. Yikes.
Today Tesla CEO Elon Musk released a statement saying that it wasn’t the vehicle’s fault for the outburst, but rather a ginormous metal object that pierced through a part of the car’s battery. Here is a vivid description of the aftermath from a Fox News article:
“Firefighters struggled to extinguish the Tesla fire, finding that the flames reignited. After dismantling the front end of the vehicle and puncturing holes in the battery pack, responders used a circular saw to cut an access hole in the front section to apply water to the battery, according to documents. Only then was the fire extinguished.”
Musk continues to insist that it is “safer to power a car with a battery than a large tank of highly flammable liquid.”


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BMichael Wilson said that bringing the classic, comforting flavor of lemonade with the benefits of marijuana is like mixing oil and water. But the Stash House in Franklin has continued, spending time and money to perfect the process behind lemonade that contains THC, he said.
“Franklin’s co-founder and serial entrepreneur behind it,” said Wilson real hemp products and former luxury watchmaker Nial.
“There is science, formulation, and ultrasonic excitement that goes into this technology,” he continued, showing off the equipment used to make the cannabis mixture James Lemonade at Franklin’s 3000 square foot production facility in Kansas City. “We like to call it a Tesla coil because when you turn it on, it gets such a sound that it feels like it’s traveling into the universe for its power.”
This energy — and proprietary process — breaks down the beverage at the particle level, Wilson said, with Franklin’s team manipulating the mix for freshness, not long shelf life.
“This is a big part of what makes our formula our formula,” he said. “Plus, with James Lemonade, neither taste nor smell when it comes to marijuana.”
The competitors in space can’t say the same, Wilson said, standing next to a 100-gallon tank used for the drink.
“All the products already on the market taste like weed, which is horrible because they are made to last six months,” he said. “Franklin’s actually tastes better because our product is new, but when you add that our formula doesn’t taste like weed – you’re getting into what made the food so popular. Eating doesn’t taste like weed, and drinks shouldn’t either.”
click over here To see where customers can actually find them Franklins products, such as James Lemonade and their popular line of rollers.
Business start-ups on the ballot
With recreational marijuana on the ballot on November 8 in Missouri, Franklin is preparing for a larger market for its THC-containing beverage.
“Over the next six months — between now and March — if Missouri voters vote ‘yes,’ you will see the number of people available to buy marijuana go from 200,000 to 2 million,” Wilson said. “You’ll see lines outside the door. You’ll notice inventory disappearing all the time. When people ask why we’re stepping up our efforts, it’s February and March. People in good standing are going to make a huge amount of gross revenue. Now whether it’s profitable is a different story. It’s up to the business operator” .
click over here Learn more about Missouri’s 3rd Amendment, which is included in the November 8 Show-Me State ballot.
Armed with aggressive product expansion plans and a multi-state strategy, he explained, James Lemonade is just one step into a bigger picture of Franklin as cannabis continues to move into the mainstream.
“The hype has been unruly. So we’re managing the demand,” Wilson said. “Orders are coming out in waves with the goal of saturation with at least 100 distributors by the time the registration market comes online. But it all boils down to the product. That’s why I put my money on quality.”
Franklin products are currently available at select dispensaries, Wilson said, with the question of online sales continuing as Missouri and the federal government continue the process of regulating a nascent industry that is growing faster than regulators can keep pace.
Many call it the “green rush.”
“It’s the same thing as a gold rush — think a hundred thousand people migrating to chase billions — but country after country. Different regulations. Different restrictions. Different opportunities,” Wilson said. Among the top ten and by 2026, it will likely be among the six or seven largest marijuana markets in all of the United States. And we’re the only ones who will have a recreational marijuana market throughout the Midwest.”
Designed to innovate, expand
Franklin considers itself a cannabis cannabis manufacturer.
Her safe, climate-controlled facility in Kansas City is monitored by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Her team of 12 includes wife Wilson, a former pharmacist who manages hospital compliance, who has joined full-time to ensure Franklin adheres to all regulations – and adapts to new rules as they are developed – at European pharmaceutical industry standards.
“Our facility is top notch. “This is not a back-room business without cameras,” Wilson said. “We’re not just a weed company. We’re not just a food manufacturer either. We do our own engineering, our own customization. It’s the same concept we’ve used in other businesses — and now it just so happens to be in cannabis.”
Co-founded by Wilson and Ronald RiceFranklin raised a $2 million seed round – from about a dozen investors, including Andrew Miller, another serial entrepreneur whose company in Kansas City, Kansas, makes the lemonade used in the product saturated with THC — in less than 90 days to finance its cannabis operation.
“Welcome to the nerd world of industry,” Wilson said, reviewing the space. “There are 1,000 ways you can make marijuana, and we have the flexibility to do that here. If I had to make 25,000 lemonades, we could rearrange to make that happen. We have plenty of room to change it up to do 25,000 pre-rolls. That way, that’s he is Like food manufacturing – same FDA codes and regs, same ways you practice training and get accreditation.”
The process begins with a raw bud that comes to Franklin from a variety of suppliers, such as Greenlight. The bud is ground, then goes through a filtration and mining process.
“Through magic, science, and preparation, what we call crude oil emerges,” Wilson said of the substance used in non-smoking cannabis products like food and lemonade.
“It comes out in a darker color and is about 65 percent THC. The rest is lipids, fats, and other types of waste.” “Because that’s there, it takes longer to rise.”
By eliminating such residues, the product obtains “pure direct benefit” – distillation to the quality desired by the manufacturer.
“This is where you start seeing THC oil with a golden color — the kind of thing you see on Instagram,” Wilson said. “We are able to buy, produce and sell so efficiently that we are able to compete with large companies with hundred million dollar budgets and complete vertical integration by producing cheaper and more flexibly than they can.”
He added that such an operation requires the right equipment, expertise and team.
“You don’t have to be a rich man to be in this business, but you also don’t have to be every man’s company,” Wilson said. “No one can do this. You have to build a team to do it the right way and you have to be efficient.”
Franklin’s is also designed to manufacture more than just cannabis products – using 3D production and other specialized equipment to create its many tools, containers, labels and shipping materials.
“We do digging inside the house, for example, which allows us to maintain complete control,” Wilson said. “Everyone now sees the benefit of relocation, even in cannabis. If I need flexibility and can quickly produce our own labels or packaging instead of waiting for shipment from China – then I will probably have to sit in stock for six months – that mindset is how we will compete at scale Wide “.
Pioneers in the circular product
The combination of the beverage and cannabis, Wilson said, comes as industry trends show that 65 percent of millennials prefer weed over alcohol.
“We’re really trying to change the whole category to understand a generation that requires more options than it used to be,” he said. “This is a whole new world. And come on recreational marijuana, it’s better to build your business model — like ours — than to be a pioneer.”
Wilson acknowledged that this strategy would require Franklin to constantly innovate.
“The buyer’s journey is a completely circular platform. Every time they go to the store, they want to buy something different. They want to try a different flavor and a different brand.”
Wilson emphasized that James Lemonade is just the beginning, teasing the THC-infused fruit punch and pink lime, while noting that the brand will steer clear of unique novelties that sacrifice quality.
So while I like to say, ‘We’ll make a million James Lemonade! “Maybe it’s a quarter of a million lemonades, and a quarter of a million grains of fruit, and then something we haven’t thought of yet, but the market and buyers demand it.”
He said Wilson is keen to normalize cannabis — both among consumers and the business community itself.
“With the older generations retiring and people my age and younger taking positions, it creates a whole new dynamic,” Wilson said. “This is not going to be a ‘gangster’ industry – it’s just another company and another category; hiring people and creating opportunities.”
Like any emerging industry, the cannabis field is experiencing “Wild West” energy as many competitors cut corners and use harsh business practices before installing regulations, Wilson admitted, but people should remember the product at the heart of the new market.
“If I’m trying to emphasize anything as an entrepreneur — despite any of the good and bad narratives from the game — cannabis is a product that heals,” he said. “And at the end of the day, I can’t help but feel like we’re spreading the marijuana gospel. This is the longest peaceful protest in history. Marijuana is the greatest tool for regulating emotions. Without a line. For some people, this can fix lives, fix relationships, and make better parents.” It can make people calmer and more empathetic.
“We’re really underrated in this industry – even though it’s a green rush and there’s a lot of money to be made for everyone – there is a huge responsibility to stay true to ourselves.”
Wilson added that products like James Lemonade can help make Missouri more peaceful and safe.
“You can sip your orgasm. You can control your high,” he said. “You don’t have to wait two hours and then suddenly wake up like ‘Oh! I’m gone.’ It’s one of the few things you can eat a little at a time.”
This story is possible thanks to the support of The Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundationa private, nonpartisan organization that works alongside communities in education and entrepreneurship to find unparalleled solutions and empower people to shape their future and achieve success.
#THCinfused #lemonade #squeezes #market #polls #push #prospects #untangling #million #Missouri #cannabis #customers


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Spotify is testing the Instagram-like Stories feature in its iOS and Android app. The latest move came as social media platforms already cloned the feature into their apps, including WhatsApp and Twitter.
As per Engadget, the Stories feature seems to be only showing on a select few albums and playlists. For example, “Christmas Hits”—the most popular playlist right now due to an obvious reason: Christmas is just 26 days away.
While you are in the “Christmas Hits” playlist, you will see Stories that show videos of several artists who are featured on the playlist, such as Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, and Pentatonix. Just like the Stories feature on Instagram, you can view short video clips, or you can tap the left or right side of the screen to skip through them.
It is worth noting that Spotify Stories aren’t showing up for everyone. This would suggest that their rollout is still limited to a subset of users and such a feature may not even be there beyond the initial testing stage.
In a statement issued to Engadget: a spokesperson with Sportify said:
At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience. Some of those tests end up paving the path for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning. We have no further news to share on future plans at this time.
With so many apps already included the Stories feature, Spotify should just cut this feature, and work on something else that’s more appealing to users. Let’s be real, no one wants to check Stories on every app.


text: The Cheesecake Factory is setting up shop in the Stamford Town Center this fall. The restaurant confirmed its plans on Tuesday to lease space previously occupied by P.F. Chang\u2019s. It will be the Calabasas, Calif.-based restaurant\u2019s third location in Fairfield County, joining others in Danbury and Trumbull, out of 188 nationally. P.F. Chang\u2019s shut down last month, having been one of the original tenants in a restaurant row created along the Stamford mall\u2019s Tresser Boulevard entrance. Taubman Co., owner of the downtown shopping center, confirmed The Cheesecake Factory plans in a statement Tuesday. Sandy Goldstein, president of the Downtown Special Services District, said she is happy to see The Cheesecake Factory come to Stamford. \u201cThey have a great reputation,\u201d she said. \u201cThey will bring overflow to the town center and downtown, plus their food is yummy.\u201d The restaurant, named for its signature dessert, will set up an 8,170-square-foot restaurant on that site, the Town Center said in the statement. The restaurant offers more than 250 menu items and more than 50 cheesecakes. Beyond its deserts, The Cheesecake Factory is known for its upscale casual dining style. Nora Naughton contributed to this report.


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Giordano sees lower rents in store for Hong Kong
Company says sales up in first half but gross margin fell as firm cleared excess stock across the country
Casual wear chain Giordano International expects rents in Hong Kong to soften due to a slowdown in retailing, after the company reported a better-than-expected 1.7 per cent growth in interim net profit.
Giordano shares rose 5.2 per cent to HK$5.64 yesterday after the Hong Kong-based clothing retailer said the net profit for the six months to June rose to HK$352 million from HK$346 million a year earlier. It added that the net profit excluding earnings from two one-off asset disposals actually fell 11 per cent for the period.
Sales increased 1.8 per cent to HK$2.698 billion during the period. Gross margin fell by 1.7 percentage points to 58 per cent. The company attributed the relatively low sales growth to a high base a year ago, while the extensive stock clearance across the country was cited as the main reason dragging down the gross margin.
Peter Lau Kwok-kuen, chairman and chief executive of Giordano, said he expected the gross margin to rebound in the second half thanks to improved inventory levels following the stock clearance.
He said rents in Hong Kong were still too high considering the slowdown of the local retail market in the first half.
"We have no intention of adding new shops [in Hong Kong] since the rent level is still high for the moment," Lau said. "We would consider further expansion when the rent really falls."
Meanwhile, the company will also moderate its pace of expansion on the mainland and close some of the shops with marginal profitability.
The company said mainland sales fell 4 per cent in the first half, compared with a 3 per cent sales rise in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Sales in other areas, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, grew 4 per cent from a year earlier.
"Looking ahead, the mainland remains the key market for the group's growth strategy and we will expand our operations there as market demand starts to recover," he said.
By the end of June, Giordano ran a total of 2,723 outlets globally, 52 shops more than a year earlier.
Lau said the company had taken various measures to save costs and improve efficiency, and was confident of delivering steady profit growth in the future.
Giordano proposed an interim dividend of 15 HK cents per share for the reporting period.


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Should we blame the companies that create addictive smartphones or blame ourselves for giving our kids the devices?
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System and Jana Partners LLC asked Apple to help protect kids from smartphone addiction. While Apple said they take the issue very seriously, they already have parental control features built into the iPhones and iPads. A new update that includes more parental features is coming soon.
“We think deeply about how our products are used and the impact they have on users and the people around them,” said Apple in the statement. “We take this responsibility very seriously and we are committed to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to protecting kids.”
Read more about it at Softpedia News.


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Caffeine jump-starts your day and puts a bounce in your step. It can help you focus, improve your mood and maybe even help you live longer.
But how much is too much?
Caffeine, a natural stimulant, can be found in a variety of foods, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao beans, guarana berries and yerba maté leaves. It also can be synthetically created and added to beverages such as soda and energy drinks. Research shows that about 90% of U.S. adults consume some form of caffeine every day.
One of the most popular ways people consume it is through coffee. Because of that, most caffeine research centers around this drink, said Dr. Greg Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
"The literature on the whole shows that coffee consumption is generally not a detriment to health," he said. "But I am very reluctant to recommend anyone begin drinking coffee if they aren't otherwise doing so, or to increase consumption for any health benefit."
Studies have found caffeine can do both good and harm. People who regularly drink coffee may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and some cancers. A few studies suggest they are less likely to die from heart disease and other illnesses.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, as much as 400 milligrams of caffeine a day – equal to four or five cups of coffee – is considered safe for healthy adults. An 8-ounce cup of green or black tea has 30-50 mg of caffeine. Energy drinks may contain 40-250 mg for every 8 ounces, and a 12-ounce can of caffeinated soda contains 30-40 mg.
In moderate doses – up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee – caffeine can make people less tired and more alert. Some studies suggest it can reduce appetite and lower the risk for depression. But high doses – 12 cups or more – can make people feel anxious, raise blood pressure and lead to heart palpitations and trouble sleeping. For people who consume caffeine regularly, stopping consumption abruptly can lead to symptoms of withdrawal, such as headaches, fatigue and depressed mood.
Determining how much is too much can be tough. A moderate amount of caffeine for one person may feel like a high dose for someone else. That's because some people metabolize caffeine faster than others, Marcus said. Factors such as how much someone weighs and what medications they take also can play a role. The bottom line is, caffeine affects everyone differently.
"The compound is complex, and we need to recognize that not only might there be benefits and harms, but this may vary from one person to another," Marcus said.
He and his colleagues recently completed one of the few randomized studies on caffeine consumption, which he presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions last year. The researchers asked participants to drink – or refrain from drinking – coffee for no more than two consecutive days each for two weeks.
The findings, which are considered preliminary until the full results are published in a peer-reviewed journal, showed that people were more physically active and slept less on days they drank coffee than on days they went without. They also had more irregular heartbeats from the lower chambers of the heart but fewer episodes of abnormally rapid heartbeats from the upper chambers.
Marcus said one limitation of the study was that people were starting and stopping caffeine consumption, which could be causing an exaggerated reaction in people who were used to drinking it every day. "The effects of caffeine are attenuated when you drink it regularly," he said. "The body adapts to that caffeine level. And more regular consumption of caffeine can speed up the metabolism."
People who metabolized caffeine faster had fewer problems sleeping than those whose bodies broke it down more slowly, he said.
In his cardiology practice, Marcus tells patients who are having trouble sleeping or experiencing abnormal heart rhythms to see what role caffeine might be playing. "I generally advise that it is reasonable for patients bothered by trouble sleeping or with palpitations to experiment with their caffeine consumption. Take some time off of caffeine to see if it makes a difference." But he does not give a blanket recommendation to avoid caffeine.
Marcus doesn't distinguish between the caffeine that people get from coffee versus hot or iced tea. "There may be health differences between the two, but they haven't been studied yet," he said.
He is less flexible about the consumption of energy drinks, which typically have a higher concentration of caffeine, as well as added sweeteners or carbohydrates and no evidence they provide any health benefits. Research has found energy drinks can cause abnormal electrical activity in the heart and higher blood pressure that persists for several hours.
"In general, I would caution against the use of energy drinks," Marcus said.
There are other ways to stay alert.
"The best strategies and overall most healthy strategies to boost alertness are long-term healthy habits," such as getting a good night's sleep and exercising regularly, Marcus said. He recommends people who have trouble staying awake consult a physician to see if they have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.
If you have questions or comments about this American Heart Association News story, please email [email protected].


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Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has announced plans for its fifth property in Mexico, and the first in the country’s capital.
Rosewood Mexico City will be located in the capital’s upscale Polanco district, and is scheduled to open in 2024.
The hotel will occupy the grand tower expansion of the existing Antara mixed-use development, which also features office space, retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Features will include 133 rooms, four food and beverage outlets including an all-day bistro, poolside bar and grill, and specialty dining venue, 1,270 sqm of meeting and events space, and the group’s Asaya wellness concept, with two swimming pools a fitness centre, eight treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy area.
The hotel will join three existing Rosewood properties in Mexico – Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, and Rosewood San Miguel de Allende – as well as the forthcoming Rosewood Mandarina.
The group recently announced plans to open its first Japanese property, and Rosewood’s second London hotel is currently scheduled to open in 2024.
Commenting on the Mexico City announcement, Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, said:
“A thriving hub of art and culture, Mexico City reflects many of Rosewood’s defining pillars. We are thrilled to introduce our A Sense of Place philosophy to visitors and locals with the opening of Rosewood Mexico City, wherein the hotel will embody the distinct sensibilities of the destination all while presenting one-of-a-kind ambience and style combined with unparalleled quality and personalized service.”


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Digital wholesale platform, Joor has opened a new office in Shanghai, China, as part of its continued expansion in Asia.
The new Shanghai office represents the company’s third office in Asia-Pacific, joining Melbourne and Tokyo and makes Joor the first platform of its kind to establish a business presence in Greater China.
Joor’s Shanghai office will be used to provide a “high level of customer service” to its growing client base in the region, added the company, and comes at a time when Joor has seen a “significant increase” in wholesale transactions being placed on its platform from the APAC region.
Currently, in 2021, Joor’s wholesale volume ordered by APAC-based retailers has increased by 139 percent year-on-year and wholesale volume for APAC-based brands grew by 419 percent year-on-year.
Kristin Savilia, chief executive of Joor, said in a statement: “As the leading global player in our space, we realise the importance of a strong presence in Asia-Pacific, notably in Greater China.
“The establishment of Joor Shanghai will allow us to provide frictionless wholesale management to the range of fine brands and retailers across the country. It builds on our existing leadership position in North America and Europe, and we expect continued expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Joor is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Paris, London, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Melbourne and Tokyo. The wholesale management platform processes more than 1.5 billion US dollars in whole transactions every month. There are more than 12,500 brands and over 325,000 curated fashion retailers across 144 countries connect on the platform every day.


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Tag Archives: SEMA
Mazda is showcasing nine cars at this year’s SEMA show, with most of them focused on track duty.
Honda has prepared an armada of fourteen cars for this year’s SEMA, including twelve CR-Zs.
Kia has revealed a SEMA lineup of six cars, some of which may be put into production.
Toyota has cooked up a lineup of six tuned cars for SEMA this year, in addition to what we’ve already seen.
Two tuned Chevrolet Silverado HD trucks have been released at SEMA today.
What we have here is a “stealth” Ford Police Interceptor created for SEMA, though this probably isn’t the kind of stealth your local police department was thinking of.
Chevy has launched four different Camaro variants for tomorrow’s SEMA show, two of which are destined for production.
Hyundai has shown off three more SEMA creations ahead of the show, in addition to the others we’ve already seen.
Chevrolet has unveiled two modified Corvettes ahead of SEMA: a track-focused Z06X Track Car Concept, and a Jake Edition Concept.
Ernie Manansala has teamed with designer car wrap company Meguiar’s Wraptivo to tune a SEMA-bound Nissan GT-R.


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Avon has offered an apology for its marketing campaign targeting cellulite after thousands of people called out the international beauty brand for “shaming” women.
The advertisement, which read “Dimples are cute on your face (not on your thighs),” was first attacked by actress Jameela Jamil on social media.
Jamil went on to call out the brand’s campaign for its Naked Proof collection, which advertises “Every body is beautiful,” before explaining how the cream “reduces cellulite, firms skin and softens stretch marks.”
The actress, who is an outspoken advocate for body positivity, was joined on social media by other women who felt the advertisement was spreading “insecurity.”
Avon has since issued an apology for the promotion, stating they “missed the mark.”
“The Good Place” actress started a movement, @i_weigh, aimed at spreading body positivity and making women “feel valuable.” She routinely calls out brands she feels body-shame women.


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Bread makers continue strike over rising input cost
Premium Bread makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) is continuing with their four-day warning strike to protest the rising input costs which have negatively affected their businesses.
Emmanuel Onuorah, president, of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), noted that operating a bakery in Nigeria has become near impossible as the incessant increases in the prices of baking materials and diesel rendered the industry comatose.
“In a move to ensure the survival of the premium bread-making industry in Nigeria, we have decided to embark on a withdrawal of services beginning from Thursday, July 21, 2022, for four days in the first instance and where no intervention from the government, we shall escalate the duration of the withdrawal,” Onuorah said.
PBAN requested the Federal Government to stop charging a 15 percent wheat development levy on wheat import, NAFDAC to review downwards the N154, 000 penalty charged to bakeries on late renewal of certificates, grant members access to grants and soft loans being given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Minor, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and Stoppage of multi – agencies regulation of the bread making industry.
“Bread is a staple food and one of the cheapest ‘grab and go’ food that is available for both the poor and rich. It, therefore, behoves the federal government to be mindful of this and ensure the survival and sustainability of the industry,” Onuorah added
A bag of baking flour now sells for N28,000 from 25,000, a bag of sugar which used to cost N9,000 presently cost N30,000 while 20 litres of groundnut oil costs about N20,000.
The rising cost of these raw materials has led to a hike in the price of bread. For example, a 500g sliced bread now cost N600 from N400.
Earlier in the month, it was reported that more than 40 bakeries in the federal capital territory (FCT) have shut down activities.
The association warned that if the federal government fails to intervene, the duration of the strike will be extended.


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Tesco is to trial a German-style scheme where customers can remove and leave packaging in stores after paying for their shopping.
Tesco will accept plastic and paper packaging only, and says it aims to recycle as much as possible.
The scheme will be piloted for six weeks at Tesco Extra stores in Guildford, Surrey, and Ilminster in Somerset.
Tesco said the aim of the trial was to establish customers’ views on excessive packaging.
Alasdair James, head of energy, waste and recycling at Tesco, said: ‘Packaging left by customers at the store will tell us a lot about areas we may need to look at again as well as where we have got it right.’
If you want to recycle more, check out our guide to recycling, or other tips on greener living.
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Dozens of Free Streaming TV Channels Coming to Google TV, Chromecast
Google TV on Chromecast and some smart TVs may become a more friendly platform for streamers as soon as October, in the wake of plans by Google to add free streaming TV channels to the platform.
According to Protocol, Google has been holding talks with operators of free, ad-supported TV (FAST) channels to add their streaming channels to the platform. In addition, Google has been working with smart TV providers including Sony and TCL.
The announcement could reportedly come as soon at next month’s “Made by Google” event where the Pixel 6 phone may be launched. However, according to Protocol, the launch plans remain in flux and could be pushed off into early 2022.
The free TV channels could be shown in the Chromecast’s Live tab, which currently shows paid TV services like YouTube TV and Sling TV. On smart TVs running the Google TV platform, the channels are more likely to be shown next to the over-the-air programming available via antenna.
A recent report from nScreenMedia predicts that the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST industry) will reach $4.1 billion in 2023 and have 216 million monthly active users. Currently, that industry that consists of services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel, and is worth about $2.1 billion.
This is not a new move for Google. When Android TV was first unveiled in 2014, it included a live channels framework designed to integrate live programming from streaming apps and over-the-air programming. The framework did not take off, and Google did not add it into Chromecast when the platform was relaunched a year ago.
Samsung has long used a similar strategy, integrating free channels into its smart TV platform through Samsung TV Plus. That platform provides viewers FAST content on an ongoing basis, just as Amazon, Roku, and VIZIO have — integrating the free video content into program guides alongside live TV and streaming channels.
Increased demand for free, ad-supported streaming TV channels is being met by programmers, hungry for a larger audience, crafting plenty of niche FAST channels. For example, AMC Networks has launched multiple FAST channels, including one dedicated to The Walking Dead and another channel featuring comedies from IFC, like Portlandia.
Other media companies, including The Weather Channel, Scripps, Reuters, Meredith, and Bloomberg have their own streaming channels. It is not known which ones will make it to Google TV, but it is expected that Google will work up deals with companies to land access to dozens of free channels.


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Fusion-io has taken the flash storage cards it's been making for its biggest customers and turned them into products that almost any company can buy.
The fast, short-range wireless technology will gain a much larger sponsor under a pending agreement
U.S. mobile trade group CTIA will combine its two annual trade shows starting in 2014 as it tries to attract a bigger share of the world's interest in smartphones, apps and other hot technologies.
China's government will require Internet users to identify themselves to service providers when they sign up for Internet access, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Apple has dropped its patent-infringement accusations against the Galaxy S III Mini, a mid-market Android smartphone that Samsung Electronics says it is not selling in the U.S.
The new rules should result in quicker deployments and more competition among in-flight Internet systems.
After starting amid the smoldering ruins of AT&T and T-Mobile USA's failed merger, 2012 ended as a big year for mobile carrier deals in the U.S., and possibly a final changing of the guard for a long time.
Research In Motion will let its customers pick and choose individual BlackBerry services such as security and mobile device management after it introduces the long-awaited BlackBerry 10 platform next month.
Research In Motion reported falling unit sales and revenue in its third fiscal quarter as it geared up for the introduction of its BlackBerry 10 OS next month.
Nvelo's Dataplex software is designed for caching data in SSDs to improve the speed of retrieval in devices that use either HDDs or SSDs for their main storage.
Sprint Nextel's proposed buyout of network partner Clearwire may be inevitable, and it could help Sprint keep its signature unlimited mobile data plans alive.
Broadcom thinks it can make NFC a common smartphone feature by offering it in a chip with other wireless technologies, even if making payments with the technology doesn't catch on for years.
Sprint Nextel is in negotiations to acquire the remainder of Clearwire, its 4G WiMax network partner, according to news reports.
The Verizon Video service delivered streaming video for money, while Viewdini just helps customers find content
A court in Mexico has entered a US$2.7 billion judgment against Yahoo in a breach-of-contract suit over a yellow-pages listing service.


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Combined arms sales by US companies for the fiscal year 2018 increased 13 % compared to 2017, reporting $192.3 Billion for US companies, according to new data released by the US Department of Commerce on Thursday.
The department had reported foreign military sales of $55.66 Billion in the previous year, up by 33 % from $41.93 Billion a year earlier. As part of the process of selling military equipment abroad, the US government mediates amid American industry and foreign partners.
What has not yet been announced is the total direct sales, the process by which foreign customers can purchase systems directly from the industry. These numbers surpassed to $136.6 Billion, an increase of 6.6 % from $128.1 Billion last year.
The Trump government has turned the sale of US defense products overseas as an essential part of its governance plan, based on the standard that “economic security is national security.” Earlier this year, the department brought in its new conventional arms transfer policy as well as new guidelines for the sale of unmanned systems, with the clear goal of increasing arms sales.
Linking this year’s numbers to changes in the WCB can, however, is very difficult. Sales may vary from year to year owing to the size of certain arms packages; Two large purchases from Saudi Arabia in 2012 were set to a record $ 287 Billion per year.
And there has been stable growth in the last three years, even before the execution of the Trump reforms, with total sales of $148.6 Billion in the fiscal year 2016; $170 Billion in the fiscal year 2017; and $ 192.2 Billion for the fiscal year 2018.
With the changes implemented by WCB and export reform efforts under the Obama administration, countries have more opportunities to use direct commercial sales, or DCS, for their purchases.


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FDA Slaps Warning Letters on Two Lupin Plants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to India-based Lupin Ltd., for two of its manufacturing facilities in Goa and Pithampur, Indore.
On April 7, the FDA cited three Form-483 observations for the plant in Goa and on May 18, cited six for the Indore location. The FDA issues Form 483 when it concludes an inspection when an investigator observed conditions that he or she feels may constitute violations of the Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and related Acts. The Form 483 is not intended to be all-inclusive and doesn’t include questionable or unknown things observed at the time of the inspection.
In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Lupin stated, “The company has received a warning letter issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on November 6, 2017 for our formulation manufacturing facilities at Goa and Indore (Pithampur Unit II).”
The Economic Times of India went on to say, “The company is deeply disappointed to have received this outcome, it said, adding that while there will be no disruption of product supplies from either of these locations, there is likely to be a delay of new product approvals.”
Lupin didn’t indicate the specifics of the Form-483s. It did say, “We plan to address the concerns raised by the USFDA expeditiously and will work with the USFDA to resolve these issues at the earliest.”
Company stock dropped as much as 17.9 percent at the news. The two factories contribute more than 50 percent of the company’s U.S. sales and about 20 percent of its total sales. Amey Chalke, an analyst at HDFC Securities, told Bloomberg Quint, “The warning letter will mean future approvals will be halted. It will be difficult for Lupin to offset the slowdown in Glumetza and Fortamet with this move.”
This was echoed by Surajit Pal, an analyst with Prabhudas Lilladher, who told Bloomberg Quint, “Don’t see an immediate impact on earnings as existing products can be sold. Issue will be with pipeline that will now get affected.”
The brokerage firm Edelweiss Securities wrote in a note, “The Goa facility is the most important facility with the highest pending approvals. This is a big negative for the company…. The warning letter will not only delay new approvals, thus impacting U.S. revenues, but also increase remediation cost that will put pressure on margins. We will revisit our earnings estimate.”
Most recently, on Nov. 2, Lupin announced it had launched Doxycycline Hyclate Tablets USP, 75 mg and 150 mg after receiving approval from the FDA. They are a generic version of Aqua Pharmaceuticals’ Acticlate Tablets for the treatment of infections caused by various bacteria and as an adjunctive therapy in severe acne.
Lupin reports about $2.55 billion (US) in annual revenues and is one of the largest generic pharmaceutical company globally by market cap.


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Electric vehicles seen leading global sales by 2033
A latest forecast by EY says that the combined EV sales in the US, China and Europe will outstrip all other engine sales by 2033 and non-EV sales will shrink to less than 1% of the overall sales by 2045.
New Delhi: By 2033, the combined electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US, China and Europe are expected to outstrip all other engine sales, says a latest forecast by Ernst & Young (EY).
EY has used an AI-powered prediction tool to state that EV sales in Europe will surpass those of other powertrains by 2028. This trend will be repeated in China by 2033 and in the US by 2036.
“By 2045, non-electric vehicle (EV) sales will shrink to less than 1% of the overall sales. In terms of EV sales volumes, Europe is expected to lead the way until 2031, with China taking the lead from 2032 to 2050,” the research company said.
Randall Miller, Global Advanced Manufacturing & Mobility Leader, EY, said, “A mix of changing consumer attitudes, ambitious climate-focused regulations and technology evolution is about to change the landscape of vehicle buying forever. While the automotive industry has begun to more fully embrace the move toward electrification, the impact of this seismic shift is arriving sooner than many expected.”
“This new outlook also has implications for governments and energy industries in terms of infrastructure and electricity generation and storage, and forward-looking organizations are already using this data to help ensure a smooth transition to this new EV-dominated market, which will be here much sooner than expected,” Miller added.
EY also said that many people who had rejected ownership in lieu of ridesharing and public transport have reassessed in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new US administration’s announcements include continuity of EV buying incentives and the development of charging infrastructure.
EY has highlighted that in Europe, incentives to purchase EVs are part of COVID-19-related relief measures in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria. The UK has announced that it will ban the sale of ICE vehicles starting from 2030. China also continues support for EVs through regulatory measures, wide product range and increasing customer demand.
“From the supply perspective, automakers globally have also begun to set their own twilight dates for gasoline-and diesel-powered vehicles in favor of EVs,” it added.
The predictions come through the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered forecast modeling tool called Mobility Lens Forecaster, that claims to provide an outlook for the supply and demand of mobility products and services through 2050.
The most significant boost will come from the currency benefit, which may add more than ₹1,500 crore to its operating profit this fiscal year, as per an ETIG analysis, if the currency exchange rates remain at the current levels.


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Tree-lighting ceremony and Downtown Art Walk, Dec. 6
Bellingham’s Depot Market Square will host a tree-lighting ceremony as part of the Dec. 6 Downtown Art Walk. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m., including the lighting of a majestic tree, a visit from Santa, holiday carolers, refreshments and more. The Downtown Art Walk follows from 6 to 10 p.m., for a full evening of seasonal fun in downtown Bellingham. The tree and ceremony are sponsored by the City of Bellingham, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFSCME Local 114, with additional donations and volunteers from various businesses and organizations.
Free holiday parking in downtown Bellingham, Dec. 9-25
Enjoy free holiday parking all day from Monday, December 9 through Wednesday, December 25, courtesy of the City of Bellingham. Downtown visitors can enjoy free parking in all metered stalls downtown as well as on the first floor of the public parking structure, located at 1300 Commercial Street. For more details, check the City’s website: Free holiday parking downtown.
“We’re proud to support our downtown businesses and our arts and civic organizations,” Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville said. “We hope throughout the holiday season people will take advantage of fun, family-oriented events, unique shopping and dining, and everything else our wonderful downtown has to offer.”
Linville said the City is collaborating closely with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, business owners and others to promote events and activities this holiday season.


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Robert Bosch Automotive Steering has issued a safety recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to a problem with the aluminum mounting bolts used in its Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems.
The company says that the bolts may corrode when it exposed to certain outdoor elements, such as road salt. This corrosion may cause the bolts to fracture and the steering deal to detach, which may cause drivers to lose power steering and crash.
The company submitted a report to allow recalls to move forward based on the decisions of Ford and Tesla.
What to do
Bosch says it is working with affected manufacturers and dealers to replace the defective bolts and add a corrosion-preventive sealer, free of charge.
Ford owners can contact the automaker's customer service line for more information at 1-866-436-7332; Tesla owners can contact their respective customer service line at 1-877-798-3752.
Additionally, drivers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for more information at its hotline or website by dialing 1-888-327-4236 or by visiting www.safercar.gov.


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Chinese video streaming giant iQIYI saw a further leap in its subscription base, to 106 million. But the company’s latest corporate filing revealed that losses also expanded to a net $516 million over the three months between July and September.
The company, which is an affiliate of Internet search and services group Baidu, said that total subscriber numbers at the end of September hit 105.8 million, of which 99.2% were paid for. That implies a net paying total of 105 million, an increase of 31% since September 2018.
The number compares with the 60.6 million paying subscribers revealed by Netflix in North America, and a further 97.8 million in the rest of the world.
Revenues at iQIYI hit RMB7.4 billion ($1.03 billion) in the quarter, only a 7% increase, with the top line number hit by a 14% drop in advertising.
Net losses increased from RMB3.1 billion in the third quarter of last year to RMB3.7 billion.
Despite the growing losses, the company proclaimed “solid progress during the quarter” and an onward “march toward our vision of building a technology-based entertainment giant,” according to founder and CEO Gong Yu.
That optimism came from a shift in the revenue model, whereby subscriptions accounted for more than half of quarterly sales.
“This once again demonstrated the strength of our platform and validated our dedication to producing high quality original content. Leveraging our cutting-edge AI technology, we are continually fine-tuning our content offerings, optimizing our monetization efficiencies, and exploring potential new runways for future growth,” Gong said in a statement. “With the rapid development of 5G, we believe there will be astonishing new opportunities ahead, and we will continue to push forward the convergence between technology and art to create deeper value and greater prospects for the future.”
The company said that its content costs had risen by just 3% compared with the same quarter last year. Content costs were RMB6.2 billion ($871 million).
For the fourth quarter, the company foresees essentially flat revenue. In guidance for investors, iQIYI said that total net revenues will end up somewhere between a 2% retreat and 4% growth.


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What were Europe's most sought-after dev skills of 2012?
The continuing explosion in the app economy is driving specific skills shortages among the European IT community, according to new insights from freelancer marketplace twago.
“The app economy has created new professions in the last couple of years,” says Gunnar Berning, CEO of twago. “The need for qualified app developers for the iPhone and Android as well as HTML5 experts is dynamically growing.
“We expect this development will become even stronger in 2013 since Windows Phone 8 and Apple’s iPad mini will further drive the competition between Apple and Android.”