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Digitimes’ Aaron Lee and Joseph Tsai report that Microsoft is expected to announce second-generation Surface tablets at the company’s Build Developer Conference, which will be hosted from June 26-28, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.
Lee and Tsai note that since Microsoft only achieved sales of 1.5 million units for its first-generation Surface tablets (one million Surface RT and 500,000 Surface Pro), realizing barely half of its original expectations of 3-4 million units, the company is taking a cautious attitude over promotion of its second-generation models.
They report that in addition to North America, Microsoft has also been expanding its market reach for Surface, with the Surface RT already available in Malaysia and to appear in Mexico at the end of May. The Surface RT will also become available in Korea and Thailand in June, while the Surface Pro will start selling in Australia and Austria in May and June for Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and Thailand.
Lee and Tsai say that Microsoft has retained most of its component suppliers from the first-generation Surface models for the second-generation tranche, with Pegatron Technology again the devices’ assembly manufacturer, with components supplied by several firms, noe of which could be persuaded to comment about Surface shipments.
The sources also noted that the second-generation Surface devices reportedly will only feature a 7- to 9-inch displays to accommodate rising demand for smaller tablet devices.
For the full report visit here:


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Thursday, February 21, 2013
Suzuki's Newest Minicar Boasts Top Fuel Efficiency
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Suzuki Motor Corp. (7269) on Wednesday unveiled the latest version of its Alto minivehicle, which features the best fuel efficiency of any gasoline-powered automobile.
The Alto Eco can run 33km on a liter of gas, outdistancing even Toyota Motor Corp.'s (7203) Prius hybrid. The vehicle is slated to go on sale March 4.
Suzuki improved the Alto's mileage by introducing a mechanism that generates and stores electricity when the vehicle slows down, as well as a system that turns off the engine when the car's speed dips below 13kph.
The automaker also reduced the vehicle's weight by about 20kg to 710kg by using high-tensile steel sheet. The Alto Eco will be priced from 900,000 yen to 1.1 million yen.
(The Nikkei, Feb. 21 morning edition)

domain: news


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DreamWorks Animation has made its first official foray into the retail spacethis holiday season with the launch of DreamPlace.
Viacom International Media Networks Asia has opened the doors of its first retail store in Malaysia, in advance of the debut of a theme park in the region.
Retailer Target is bolstering its upper management team with several new key appointments.
Playboy is growing its brand in Mexico with the addition of a new shoe boutique, Playboy Estd 1953, in Leon.
The British Toy & Hobby Association has announced its finalists for the 2014 Toy Retailer of the Year Awards.
Gap has opened a flagship store on the Chinese direct sales website JD.com.
Hudson’s Bay Company has appointed former Toys 'R' Us chairman and CEO and retail veteran Gerald Storch as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 6.
Abercrombie & Fitch has secured a seven-year licensing deal for perfume with Inter Parfums.
Footwear retailer DSW has partnered with the Broadway's musical "Kinky Boots" to launch an exclusive capsule collection at a store in New York City.
Lowe’s and the Sherwin-Williams Company are pairing to bring the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams line to Lowe’s and Sherwin-Williams retail locations.
A consortium led by BC Partners has acquired pet products retailer PetSmart.
HGTV Home has launched a new baby furniture collection, now available exclusively in 86 BuyBuy Baby stores in the U.S.
Retail dollar sales of toys experienced a decline of 1 percent when compared to 2012, according to 2013 year-end retail sales data compiled by The NPD Group.
Disney Consumer Products has unveiled its new product line for the new Cars brand, Neon.
Costco is bringing a new category of products to its members–fine art.
The Juicy Couture brand is expanding its retail presence in Europe with plans to add standalone locations and shop-in-shops.
Starbucks has launched a tea offering developed by media icon Oprah Winfrey in partnership with Teavana.
Kaynak Licensing and Turkish retailer LC Waikiki are teaming to create a clothing range featuring the kids’ TV series “Niloya.”
Google has overtaken Apple to regain its position as the world’s most valuable brand, according to the annual BrandZ report.
Two of Robin Thicke’s new singles will serve as the inspiration for rose bouquets from 1-800-Flowers.com.
Toys “R” Us has a new brand campaign in partnership with The Escape Pod and “Action Movie Kid” creator Daniel Hashimoto called “C’mon, Let’s Play.”
©2014 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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by • January 21, 2016 • No Comments
Facebook is delivering 3D Touch to its Timeline, the company says – meaning which users of Apple’s latest devices, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, can soon be able-bodied to press on links, profiles and additional, in order to preview content without having to navigate away of their current spot. This previewing showcase, dubbed “peek and pop,” was introduced last fall on Apple’s new smartphones, where it was touted as a way to add another dimension to the iPhone’s multi-touch interface.
Instead of only tapping, swiping and pinching, 3D Touch takes advantage of the new hardware’s prescertain-sensitive screen to allow users to hard-press on items to preview content and and so versionally act on it.
For example, in these days you can “peek” at emails of your inbox with a light press, and so press a little harder to “pop” into them.
To date, a number of app developers have introduced assist for 3D Touch as a function which can be accessed via their app icons. That is, when you hard-press on the icon on your homescreen you are offered a variety of shortcuts for which app in a pop-up window which appears. In Facebook’s case, it introduced 3D Touch assist to its iOS application back in October, offering users the faculty to take or upload photos and videos, or write a status update, via this menu of shortcuts.
Arguably, 3D Touch is additional useful inside apps than on the app icon. But studies on 3D Touch user adversion have yet to surface, it appears most likely which most folks forget which these app icon shortcuts exist, and go on to use their apps as they may normally. But, when you are in fact inside an application and tapping on content, it’s simpler to remember which 3D Touch is an version. I find myself via it a lot additional inside email but approximately never remember to hard-press on my app icons.
To a few extent, 3D Touch yet suffers in these days for the reason not all iOS developers have rolled out assist for 3D Touch for their applications, so you are not always certain if the showcase can work. Without universal assist across the entirety of your homescreen, it can be complex to adonly your ingrained behaviors.
Apple Focuses On 3D Touch With New iPhone 6s AdFacebook Rolls Out Support For 3D Touch, Offering Shortcuts For Posting Statuses, Photos And Videos On New iPhones15 Super Useful Ways To Use 3D Touch On The New iPhones
That’s why implementing 3D Touch inside Facebook’s Timeline sounds a lot additional practical, I believe.
Says Facebook, you will soon be able-bodied to lightly press on a Facebook story or profile to view a preview, and so hard-press to “pop” to see the full story or profile.
This showcase can work with web links, profiles, Facebook Pages, Facebook Groups, Facebook Events, photos, profile pictures, and cover photos. Effectively, which’s the majority of the content which users on Facebook can care of, and such broad assist on the world’s most-used app may assist hustle user adversion of the 3D Touch showcase forward.
“We are excited to begin rolling out assist for 3D Touch in our iOS app so folks can rapidly and easily peek into a preview of anything they are interested in on Facebook, and pop into which content to see additional,” a Facebook spokesperson said, confirming the addition.
Note which you can not have 3D Touch only yet, yet. Facebook says it’s only beginning to roll out 3D Touch on the Timeline to a “small group” of folks, and can later expand the roll out additional broadly in the “coming months.”
by admin • March 5, 2017
by admin • November 28, 2016
by admin • November 28, 2016


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Meaningful business productivity requires a lot of elements to line up, particularly when remote operations and mobility enter the picture. This week, we wanted to offer a few tips pertaining to the kinds of applications that could prove beneficial to your operations. Read More
- Published: 20 Jan 2021
While many people seem to have little problem sharing their data with social media platforms, there is definite pushback against sharing the personal data generated by a messaging platform. This can be witnessed in WhatsApp, the cross-platform messaging application whose main selling point has been its end-to-end encryption, and its announcement that its users will
- Published: 11 Jan 2021
There are dozens of Internet browsers on the market. They are typically all free and when they come stock, are pretty much all the same. Most of the most popular ones come with an app store where users can download useful apps to make their experience better. Unfortunately, there are times that malicious code gets
- Published: 08 Jan 2021
It’s 2021! We made it! A lot of us look at a new year as an opportunity to greatly improve our lives. Maybe your resolution is to hit the gym regularly or commit to fewer processed foods—regardless, there are endeavours that take serious commitment, and others that take just a few minutes to accomplish. A
- Published: 04 Jan 2021
When was the last time you intentionally and systematically changed your passwords? It’s a good practice, even though it can be a huge pain. For many of us, Google is a huge central hub that is tied to a lot of our data. With all of the cybersecurity issues and data breaches, it’s just a
- Published: 18 Dec 2020
In March, when the stay-at-home orders first came down, and businesses started asking their employees to work from home, it was obvious that many of them were not prepared for this contingency. As the pandemic has gone on, however, businesses have had to adapt. Today, we thought we would look at some of the solutions
- Published: 14 Dec 2020
Unfortunately, this season’s holiday is going to be much like the rest of 2020: risky. With many people taking the necessary precautions to not contract or spread the coronavirus, a lot of people are doing most of their shopping online. By distancing from others and using the Internet to do the lion’s share of your
- Published: 07 Dec 2020
Cyberattacks continue to be a major problem as scammers send out billions of phishing messages a day. While it doesn’t really sound that nefarious it can be a major problem for a lot of people. One version of phishing, the absurdly labeled smishing, is gaining traction and presents another avenue of attack for hackers.
- Published: 27 Nov 2020
From individuals all the way up to companies and governments, ransomware has been causing no small amount of stress for some years now. Let’s take a few moments to discuss this threat, what you can do about it, and how seriously the government is taking ransomware.
- Published: 23 Nov 2020
Software giant Adobe will cease support of Flash Player and the 24-year-old software will retire at the end of the year, according to the company. This is a pretty big deal, and the loss is one that will be felt by many businesses. Or will it?
- Published: 18 Nov 2020
Business success is often tied to the quality of your business relationships, and there are many people you need to trust: suppliers who can provide you with everything you need, the team who do their jobs, and customers who turn to you because they know they need you. Unfortunately, it is possible for cybercriminals to


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Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced a new addition to PlayStation Studios. Through the platform’s official blog, the Japanese company has formalized the acquisition agreement for Firesprite, a studio with which they have collaborated and which has its origins in the closure of SIE Studio Liverpool. After a few years of collaborating closely on various games, including The Playroom (PS4) and The Playroom VR (PS VR), I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Firesprite as the 14th studio of the PlayStation Studios family”Wrote Hermen Hulst, head of the division.
“Quite a few members of Firesprite hail from SIE Studio Liverpool, so we are delighted to have them back.” Hulst has highlighted that creative vision and ambition from the developer, which he has described as “exceptional” when it comes to creating “incredible experiences that truly take advantage of the potential of our hardware”. In his words, the studio’s technical and creative capabilities will contribute to the growth of its internal product catalog.
Firesprite, happy with the deal
Graeme Ankers, one of the founders of the developer, has shared his thoughts on the matter. “Today is a day incredibly exciting for Firesprite ”, he assures. The company was founded in 2012 and is located in the North West of the United Kingdom, an important area in the video game industry because games like WipEout have been produced there. “Many of our developers have designed titles from that era, so we are very satisfied with those roots.”
He also notes that they have had the option of working with talented developers and publishers in the industry, but that “PlayStation in particular has been an ally” and a partner as a “co-developer” for most of the decade. Together they have designed The PlayRoom, Run Sackboy! and The PlayRoom VR. “PlayStation too gave us the opportunity to create our own IP, The Persistence. They gave us creative freedom to explore, innovate and launch a survival horror game that we are very proud of. ” Now how first partyThey know that they have the full support to continue on that path.
“I would like to first of all thank PlayStation and its community for the warm welcome that have given us in this family of incredible creators. I also want to thank all the ‘Sprites’ past and present who have helped shape the Firesprite of today. “
PlayStation recently announced the acquisition of Housemarque, creators of Reurnal, as well as the company specialized in PC ports Nixxes.
Source | PlayStation Blog


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This story is part of, including exclusive first looks we got at some of the service's high-profile new games.
Apple Arcade subscribers can play the new game (along with ) on the platform later today, according to Apple.'s latest game, SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit, brings back all your favorite characters and Easter eggs from the hit Nickelodeon show for another fun adventure. Infamous mini-villain Plankton is after the Krabby Patty secret formula once again, and it's up to SpongeBob and his friends -- Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Gary the Snail and Mr. Krabs -- to stop him.
SpongeBob fans will be excited to see numerous staples from the show make an appearance in Patty Pursuit. To steal the famed secret recipe, Plankton has enlisted the the help of his horde of cousins introduced back in season 3. The game also has the Tunnel of Glove from Glove World in season 5, the oh-so-creepy characters from Rock Bottom in season 1, and everyone's favorite injured fish, Fred ("My leg!").
With Apple firmly in the mobile gaming world. The subscription gaming service costs $4.99 (£4.99, AU$7.99) a month and lets you play more than 120 new and exclusive games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod Touch and Apple TV.'s release in September,


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CreditCardConsolidationLoan.org helps consumers choose between paying credit card debt or saving
November 18, 2013 Business News(PRLEAP.COM) Credit Card Consolidation Loan published an article entitled "Paying Credit Card Debt Or Saving: What Is The Better Option?" and it sought to help consumers make a confusing financial decision. Paying for debts and saving are both important but there are times when the consumer is forced to choose only one. Usually, this is because they lack in financial capabilities to cover both expenses.
But the problem is, both of these are important. So how can the consumers choose?
This is the aim of Credit Card Consolidation Loan when they released this article on November 13. They understand how it is a constant problem and they believe that consumers should understand the pros paying their debts or having adequate savings.
Starting with paying credit card debt, the article points out the following reasons why it has to be prioritized.
1. It keeps the interest of the credit card from growing the debt. The interest rate of the debt is a lot higher than those given to savings accounts.
2. It helps with the credit score of the consumer. By paying their dues on time, the consumer is practicing proper credit and payment behavior.
3. It keeps money from being wasted on the interest rate. The faster a debt is paid, the less interest the consumer will waste.
On the other hand, the article claims that saving will give the following benefits:
1. It gives the consumer financial security against emergency situations. Since they have savings, the article explains that consumers will not have to worry about unexpected expenses.
2. It keeps the consumer from fearing job loss. The consumer's savings will help them finance basic needs in case their main source of income is cut off.
3. It will help consumers live with less stress. The security that consumers get from their savings will keep them from feeling too stressed.
These benefits were provided by Credit Card Consolidation Loan so consumer will know which of the benefits they want to avail. That should help them decide which of paying debts or saving is to be prioritized.
In the end, the article explains that consumers should do their best to satisfy both. They have the option to grow their income to be able to afford both financial needs. Or, as the article suggests, the consumers can live a frugal lifestyle.
To read the whole article, visit this link: http://creditcardconsolidationloan.org/paying-credit-card-debt-or-saving-what-is-the-better-option/.


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KARACHI: Following were the movements of ships and cargo handling at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during the last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours on Friday
SHIPS ARRIVED: Los Angeles Traders Containers Ship Banasol Tanker SHIPS SAILED: Kota Kaya CMA CGM Buterfly Express Athense ER Felixstowe Zhu Jiang Stolt Sun CARGO HANDLING TURNOVER: The total cargo handled at Karachi Port during the last 24 hours closed at 128,549 Metric Tons.
The breakup shows that the port has handled 50,643 Metric Tons of export cargo and 77,906 Metric Tons of import cargo during the said period.
Commodity wise handling in metric tons is given below.
COMMODITY: IMPORT: EXPORT: TOTAL: Containers 33,005 38,663 71,668 Bulk Cargo 14,804 120 14,924 Clinkers — 4,343 4,343 DAP — — — Oil/Liquid Cargo 30,097 7,517 37,614


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Kentucky bourbon boom in danger as Trump trade war could 'kill jobs'
Bourbon's boom comes in large part from overseas consumers clamoring for Kentucky's signature liquor.
But President Donald Trump's trade war with the European Union and others could cost the state's $8.5 billion bourbon industry — which generates about 17,500 jobs and $800 million in payroll — if it is met with retaliatory tariffs.
If that happens, bourbon historian Michael Veach said, "it's going to hurt."
"Historically, these types of trade wars, this isn't going to be good for anybody," Veach said. "It's going to hurt the bourbon industry."
Trump is moving forward with new policies that slap the European Union, Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum. The EU responded by announcing this week that it is putting tariffs on U.S. imports such as bourbon.
Author Fred Minnick, who has written about bourbon tariffs, told Courier Journal on Friday that could hinder overseas sales, hurt Kentucky manufacturers and create a flood in the domestic market.
More on this:Your Kentucky bourbon could be threatened by Trump's new tariffs
Total U.S. spirits exports to the EU in 2017 were valued at $789 million, according to a statement from the Distilled Spirits Council, the national trade association that represents America's liquor manufacturers.
Big brands like Jim Beam, Maker's Mark and Buffalo Trace could be safe, Minnick said, but others may not survive — particularly at smaller manufacturers, where the tariff could "kill jobs."
"I think the next six months will be crucial, and we’ll probably see some smaller distilleries just get phased out," Minnick said. "Brands will be dropping prices and craft distilleries won't be able to compete and they’ll have to go out of business."
Mayor Greg Fischer has touted bourbon tourism, or "bourbonism," as Louisville's next economic boon for at least the past five years. He declined an interview request about the Trump administration's trade actions but expressed concern about its impact in a statement.
"The bourbon industry is growing, and it’s an important contributor to our economy and our state’s recognition around the world," Fischer said. "We don’t need to place obstacles on that growth, so I hope there is a quick resolution to this conflict."
City officials have bragged that the bourbon industry has brought in millions to the region and is an engine of local growth.
Just this week Forbes Magazine looked at Louisville's "boozy renaissance" due to its growing number of local distilleries and its place as the gateway to the bourbon trail for tourists.
Metro Council President David James said in an interview that the distillery trade that has been a big driver of the local economy in recent years. It is estimated that 95 percent of all bourbon is made in Kentucky.
Kentucky leaders at the national level who have Trump's ear need to speak up on behalf of the state, James said.
"We have Kentucky farmers who produce the grain for the distilled spirits and thousands of employees who derive their income from the industry," James said. "The president's ill-advised trade war is going to have devastating effects on those farmers, our city and the entire country."
'Pappygate' update:Pappy Van Winkle theft ringleader sentenced to 15 years in prison
Fischer joined several state leaders on Friday to tout the new "Bourbon Without Borders" law that allows Kentucky distillers to ship bourbon across state lines.
"Bourbonism is alive and well in Louisville, and this bill will have a positive economic impact for our city," Fischer tweeted on Friday.
The city averages about 16.5 million tourists each year, according to the Louisville Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
Twenty-one percent of visitors said they engaged in a bourbon tasting, according to a 2016 tourism survey. The report shows another 14 percent said they took part in distillery tours and 6 percent said they joined the Urban Bourbon Trail.
Minnick said the trade deals puts the president in direct conflict with his Kentucky allies, including Gov. Matt Bevin and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"If you tariff bourbon, you’re going to have the most important senator knocking on the president’s door," Minnick said. "Not only that, but Rand Paul, probably the most vocal senator, you’re going to have him knocking on the door. That’s two high-profile senators" talking to Trump.
Paul's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
McConnell, who has slammed Trump's trade policies in the past, said through a spokeswoman on Thursday that the new tariffs are bad for the state.
Read this:McConnell calls Trump's tariffs a 'slippery slope' that would hurt Kentucky
You'll like:Bourbon distillers, rejoice! You can now ship bottles out of Kentucky
"The leader has been clear that a trade war is not in the best interest of Kentucky’s economy and that there are better ways to address trade imbalances," spokeswoman Stephanie Penn said in a statement.
Trump appeared firm in his commitment to the new trade policy on Friday, however. He sent out a tweet Friday responding to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who criticized the U.S. policy for lacking "common sense."
"Canada has treated our Agricultural business and Farmers very poorly for a very long period of time," Trump tweeted. "Highly restrictive on Trade! They must open their markets and take down their trade barriers! They report a really high surplus on trade with us. Do Timber & Lumber in U.S.?"
Bevin's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday about the tariffs. The governor said at the bourbon event, however, that the bourbon industry represents, "an absolute crown jewel for Kentucky."
Reporter Darcy Costello contributed to this story. Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or firstname.lastname@example.org. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/philb.


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The Aston Martin DB5 is an iconic car that will forever be associated with James Bond. The car has been immortalized in franchise films such as Goldfinger, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and most recently, Spectre. The car company has announced that it’s going to release the DB5 and that the car will be complete with working gadgets. It’s only going to offer a handful of units, though, so it’s going to be the ultimate collectors’ car.
Aston Martin is going to release 25 units of the DB5 in 2020 to those who have paid $3.5 million plus taxes per car. All cars will only be available in the Silver Birch color.
As you can probably imagine, they’re going to be very hard to come by even if you have that sort of money. They will likely fetch a significant premium in the secondary auction market.
The company says that these units will be “authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen,” so you’ll be able to live your James Bond fantasies to an extent. It will have revolving number plates and other gadgets that will be fully functional. Don’t count on it being able to shoot missiles or fire at your enemies, though.
“To own an Aston Martin has long been an aspiration for James Bond fans, but to own a Silver Birch DB5, complete with gadgets and built to the highest standards in the very same factory as the original James Bond cars? Well, that is surely the ultimate collectors’ fantasy,” says Dr. Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin.


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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued guidance on financial promotions in social media.
The UK regulator took the decision to clarify its approach to supervision in light of increased use of digital media, and social media in particular, as a vehicle for customer communications and financial promotions.
The way companies use social media is coming under increasing scrutiny by regulators across the globe. In the US, for instance, the SEC ruled recently that public companies can use such platforms to announce key information in compliance with Regulation Fair Disclosure as long as investors have been informed which social medium the company will use to report the information.
Over the past year, the FCA found that many UK companies consider it difficult to comply with some of the existing rules, particularly those involving platforms with limits on the number of characters used, such as Twitter.
According to the regulator, rules on financial promotion are designed to ensure that consumers receive certain information in a fair, clear, and balanced way from the start of their interaction with a particular firm. The consumer must also be aware of the risks, as well as the potential benefits, of any financial products or services promoted. These rules are intended to be media-neutral.
Social media-specific considerations:
Each individual tweet or post must be compliant with the relevant rules, and risk warnings must be included in promotions for certain products/services.
Given the constraints of character-limited media, the FCA recommends that firms consider the appropriateness of the vehicle for promoting products with complex features, advising if they do so to include a link to more detailed information.
Promotions for investment products must be identifiable as a promotion. This can be achieved by including the hashtag #ad in online posts.
To manage the risk of communications reaching unintended recipients (through retweets, or sharing on Facebook), use software that enables advertisers to target particular groups very precisely.
“Our overall approach is that financial promotions, whether on social media or traditional media, should be fair, clear, and not misleading,” Clive Adamson, director of supervision at the FCA, said in a news release. “We have had extensive industry engagement on this issue, and we believe our guidance is a sensible approach that doesn’t affect industry’s ability to innovate using new forms of media.”
The authority has launched a consultation, inviting feedback from the industry. The consultation closes on November 6th, 2014. The guidance paper can be found here.
—Samantha White (email@example.com) is a CGMA Magazine senior editor.


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Noida, UP India (PressExposure) November 25, 2011 -- According to our recent report, "US Organic Food Market Analysis", the organic food market in the US has witnessed a much faster growth compared to the conventional food market. The US is considered as a suitable platform for organic food industry to boom as it is the largest economy and has highest per capita income in the world. Moreover, not much impact of economic slowdown has been witnessed on the US organic food industry as compared to the total food industry. The organic packaged and processed food segment has shown a notable growth in the recent years. In future also, the organic packaged and processed food segment is expected to surge at a remarkable CAGR of around 15% during 2011-2015.
The report infers that Americans have shown acceptance for the organic packaged and processed food with the advancement in the packaging and refrigeration techniques. Moreover, consumers equate organics to quality and superior taste. All these factors discussed in the report present this segment's promising development in future.
Further, at the regional front, the market is still recognized as a largely untapped in various states of the country. Not only in urban areas, but in rural parts of the country as well, consumers are showing phenomenal interest in both organic farming and organic food consumption. States, such as California, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and South Dakota have shown tremendous market potentials and are being considered as the most attractive investment destinations for organic food business.
Our report, "US Organic Food Market Analysis", is the product of exhaustive research and intended analysis of the organic food market potentials in the US. It provides historical, current, and future projected market performance of all prominent segments including fruits and vegetables, beverages, dairy, packaged foods, bread and grains, etc. It also facilitates information on emerging market trends and drivers along with regulatory initiatives, which are collectively uplifting the industry outlook. Additionally, it also facilitates information/statistics on organic farm land infrastructure, consumer behavior analysis, and supply chain mechanism. A brief overview of prominent industry players has also been included in the report to provide a balanced research outlook of the overall organic industry in the US.
For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: [http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM283.htm]
Check DISCOUNTED REPORTS on: http://www.rncos.com/promotion.htm


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While OnePlus is focusing on improving the user experience of its latest flagships — the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, it hasn’t forgotten about its older flagships. For those who are still rocking their OnePlus 3 and 3Ts, there’s good news and the company has begun rolling out a new firmware update for these phones, which updates the Android security patch, along with some bug fixes.
Over the weekend, OnePlus put up a post on its community forum, where is announced that it’s in the process of rolling out OxygenOS 9.0.4 for the OnePlus 3 (Review) and 3T (Review). The changelog isn’t very big as all it adds are the June Android security patch and “general bug fixes and improvements,” although it doesn’t go into any specifics as to what this fixes and improvements are. If you have one of these phones, then be sure to check for an update as its being rolled out over the air.
OnePlus has also made it point to mention that this is going to be a staged rollout and is not based on regions, so using a VPN might not force you to get the update quicker. The update is first being rolled out to a limited number of users initially and will have a broader roll out in the next couple of days, which can also take a few weeks in some cases, according to the team. It’s being pushed randomly to a limited number of devices, so if you haven’t got it yet, be a little patient. You can follow the link above in case you have any queries about the update or need help installing it.
The OnePlus 3 and 3T were officially updated to Android 9 Pie in May, this year, after getting the beta release in April. The two phones were earlier said to get the update by the end of 2018, but that timeline was missed. The update finally arrived after about five months of delay.


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Few breast-fed babies 5% to 13%, depending on their age received the recommended amount of vitamin D, researchers estimated. Although breast milk is the perfect food in every other way, it’s often low in vitamin D, says pediatrician Nicolas Stettler, a spokesman for the pediatrics academy who wasn’t involved in the study. Because humans originated in equatorial areas with year-round sunshine, babies in the distant past wouldn’t have needed to get vitamin D from breast milk, he says.
Yet many formula-fed infants don’t get enough, either. Babies need to drink about 32 ounces of fortified formula a day to get 400 international units of vitamin D, says study author Cria Perrine of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Babies younger than 6 months can rarely drink that much. A supplement can give babies all they need.
Many mothers also are vitamin D-deficient.
A second study in Pediatrics reports that 58% of newborns and 36% of mothers were deficient in vitamin D, according to blood tests. Although taking prenatal vitamins helped, more than 30% of moms who took them were still deficient. Getting lots of sunlight helped raise vitamin D levels in moms, but not in their newborns.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies get no direct sunlight in their first six months, to prevent skin damage and cancer. After 6 months, the academy says, babies should wear sunscreen, hats and protective clothing in the sun.
Relatively few pediatricians today talk about vitamin D with parents, says Wendy Sue Swanson, a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital who wasn’t involved in the new research. That may be because the pediatrics academy’s previous vitamin D recommendation 200 international units a day, set in 2003 was easier to meet, Swanson says.


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Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) called on his colleagues in the U.S. House to immediately pass legislation to provide a manufacturing tax credit to help the country’s struggling economy and avoid pending European trade sanctions on American goods and services.
“Congress has been idle on this issue for too long,” Smith said. “If we don’t act soon, European trade sanctions will hurt American workers and American businesses. We need to address this problem now, and I believe a manufacturing tax credit is the right solution. It will keep the United States in compliance with WTO regulations and help spur our struggling manufacturing industries and most importantly, its workers. In the last 3 years alone, Washington state has lost over 66,000 manufacturing jobs.”
The World Trade Organization (WTO) authorized the European Union to implement hundreds of millions of dollars in retaliatory trade sanctions unless the United States repeals a current tax advantage for exporters that amounts to an illegal subsidy, according to the WTO. The sanctions are scheduled to go into effect Monday, March 1st, unless Congress takes action now.
“If the Europeans implement these tariffs on American goods and services, it will be yet another blow to our already struggling economy,” Smith said. “It’s irresponsible for the Congressional leadership to ignore the problem and refuse to act.”
Smith supports bipartisan legislation to repeal the tax measure in question and replace it with a manufacturing tax credit. H.R. 1769, sponsored by Democrat Charlie Rangel and Republican Phil Crane, would lower taxes for manufacturers who employ people in the United States. It is co-sponsored by 154 Members of Congress.
Since the Republican leadership has not yet put H.R. 1769 on the agenda, Smith today took the first steps necessary to force action. He joined colleagues in signing a discharge petition, which will force a floor vote on the legislation when 218 Members


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About the game
Call Of Duty
Call Of Duty is an FPS game franchise that started in 2003. The games in the series have had several different settings.
Call Of Duty Articles
Modern Warfare weapon customisation teased in new video
In the latest video on Twitter, Infinity Ward have teased Gunsmith, which is a weapon customisation feature in the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare. According to the devs, players will have nine areas of the weapon to augment.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare gameplay footage shows Gunfight mode
Infinity Ward released the first gameplay footage of their upcoming shooter Call of Duty Modern Warfare. The gameplay has been recorded in 4K on PS4 and it shows a couple of matches of Gunfight mode, which was streamed on Twitch last week.
Captain Price is now available in Black Ops 4 Blackout
Treyarch have added Captain Price as a playable character to Call of Duty Black Ops 4's battle royale mode Blackout. However, there's a catch, in order to unlock Price, you'll need to pre-order the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare.
Modern Warfare's new multiplayer mode is 2v2 on miniscule map
Activision and Infinity Ward have revealed a brand new multiplayer mode that will be introduced in the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare. Named Gunfight, it's a four-player, two-versus-two mode set on a series of custom made maps.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 kicks off Operation Apocalypse Z on PS4
Treyarch and Activision have officially kicked off Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's Operation Apocalypse Z on PlayStation 4, and it brings a brand new specialist, new game modes, new weapons, map updates and a bunch of bells and whistles.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare to introduce big reloading changes
After 16 years, Call of Duty is set to introduce a big change to weapon reloading it's been confirmed by Infinity Ward. Players will now be able to reload their weapons while aiming down the sights, a feature that wasn't available earlier.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 update kicks off Fourth of July event
Treyarch have rolled out their latest update to Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, kicking off Fourth of July special event with earnable Ultra Weapon Bribes, duplicate-protected crates, playlists and the announcement of Operation Apocalypse Z.
Modern Warfare's battle royale to support up to 200 players
According to the latest leak from GamingIntel, Call of Duty Modern Warfare could have battle royale mode on launch and apparently, it's a pretty big one. Its map is three times bigger than Blackout's and it supports up to 200 players.
Nuketown Zombies DLC teased for Call of Duty Black Ops 4
Treyarch are teasing the next Zombies chapter for Call of Duty Black Ops 4. The new DLC is coming next week and by the looks of it, it will introduce the fan-favourite Nuketown map. There's also a tease for Moon map from the first Black Ops
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare crossplay to depend on input device
Activision's next annual money machine, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, will heavily feature crossplay it seems. Aside from being the first entry in the series to have the feature at launch, matchmaking will be based on the input device.


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Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
iOS 13 & watchOS 6 Now Available
Apple's Lower-Cost iPhone As a 'Mid-End' Device
Echoing some previous rumors, Hariharan and Moskowitz suggest that Apple's lower-cost iPhone is likely to cost $350-$400 without subsidies, significantly cheaper than the iPhone 5 that starts at $650. The analysts point out that such a device would come in at a relatively sparsely-populated midrange of a pyramid that sees strong unit sales at the top and bottom but weakness in the middle.
Currently Samsung dominates this segment ($200-500 price range) with 35+ percent market share. [...] We believe Apple could take 20-25 percent of this market in the next 12 months (from almost no market share currently), if it prices a lower-priced product at $350-400 levels.
On a separate note, Digitimes is reporting today that Apple's lower-cost iPhone will be specifically targeted at emerging markets and will initially launch in limited volumes in order to test interest in the device. The report claims that Apple is expected to deliver only 2.5-3 million units during the device's first quarter of availability.
While Apple almost certainly has interest in bringing such a device to emerging markets, it seems more likely that Apple will offer the device on a broader basis in order to appeal to consumers in the numerous markets where subsidies are not common. Even the United States is seeing pushback against subsidies to some degree, with prepaid carriers gaining customers while also beginning to offer the iPhone, and even major carriers like T-Mobile shifting their strategies to end packaged subsidies and instead break out phone costs on separate payment plans.


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Update (09/14/2022) – GS
A few days ago, a new controversy arose involving Diablo Immortal, when some players who purchased orbs from the game in parallel stores began to notice that they were being removed from their accounts and that Blizzard was leaving a negative balance, preventing the player from making new ones. shopping until he “paid off the debt” with orbs from the official store.
This week, new issues emerged for those players with debts, as Blizzard revealed that they will be banned from competitive multiplayer modes.
We have a hotfix in the works tonight that will restrict these players from Battlegrounds and other PvP activities.
Blizzard certainly doesn’t want to lose money and is doing everything possible to prevent players from purchasing the orbs through alternative means.
Do you think Blizzard’s attitudes are correct?
Original text – 09/02/2022
Diablo Immortal: Blizzard removes orbs purchased from side stores and leaves players in debt
Since it was released, Diablo Immortal has been involved in multiple controversies due to its monetization system, but even though it has made good profits for Blizzard’s coffers, the developer does not seem willing to clean up the game’s image.
This week, players who purchased game orbs through side stores are claiming that Blizzard has begun revoking orbs from their accounts, leaving them with “orb debts”.
As noted by PCGamesN, reports of Diablo Immortal orbs being revoked began appearing on Reddit this week after some users began to notice that the game was showing a negative number.
This means that in order to be able to buy more legitimate orbs (within the game’s own store), players must first refund the balance of orbs purchased through parallel stores.
While purchasing orbs through side stores is against the game’s terms of service, some players choose to do so because it’s cheaper than using the game’s official system.
Some users have claimed that accounts that don’t pay their orb debt after a certain period of time will be permanently disabled, and others claim that instead of receiving a debt they are getting banned instantly.
Blizzard has not taken a position on the matter, but the terms of the game certainly allow it to take this kind of attitude, leaving only the players to accept the situation.


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A new and stylish Boutique Hotel at the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside has specified Vicaima trend setting door designs to compliment the mood of its relaxing and entertaining interiors.
Sidey is delighted to announce the launch of its new website. After listening to customer feedback, the website has been redsigned to make it easy to navigate the companies four sectors and includes exclusive download areas, interactive software, innovation details as well as sector specific product information
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, May 24, 2022: RAK Ceramics PJSC (Ticker: RAKCEC: Abu Dhabi), one of the largest ceramics brands in the world, announced today the opening of its first global Design Hub in London.
Glass balustrades are one of the fastest-growing glazing products in Europe and F.H. Brundle have the widest range of innovative, stylish and installer-friendly, handrailing and balustrade ranges available.
Natural and hybrid ventilation solutions manufacturer Passivent has launched a brand-new website. With almost 40 years’ experience, Passivent provides a comprehensive range of sustainable and energy efficient ventilation systems to help improve air quality, boost natural daylight and remove moisture.
Carbonamine – unique coatings made with new patented technology combining the durability of polyurea/polyaspartic with an ingredient made from waste carbon dioxide – is now available in a range of types.
Leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles has partnered with talented designer Natalie Weavers Interiors to create a tasteful design scheme for a new restaurant in London’s vibrant West End.
When it came to creating a new showroom in London’s sought-after Clerkenwell district, Interface – the commercial flooring company and global leader in sustainability – had a clear vision.
Today, James Latham, one of the UK’s leading and most forward-thinking distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces, announces the launch of its powerful new online surfacing specification tool, the Digital Showroom Platform.
One of the UK’s leading providers in the design and manufacture of access solutions and riser doors for ceilings, walls and partitions, Profab Access, is supporting architects, specifiers and contractors in achieving the highest standards of efficiency with its PRIMA 1000 Fire Rated Series Access Panels.


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Google expanded text ads go live
Posted on: Tuesday 26 July 2016
Google has now launched extra-long, double-headline ads.
Yesterday (July 26th) saw the official launch of Google's new expanded text ads (ETAs), which can include up to 80 characters, as well as two headlines with up to 30 characters each.
These are set to replace standard text ads, which will continue to be used until October 26th. At this point, they will no longer be able to be created or uploaded, although the exact date that existing ads will run until is yet to be confirmed by the search giant.
The extended copy has been designed specifically with mobile users in mind so they can be given more information from their searches. Early tests showed an increase in click through rate of 20 per cent, while Robert Spears, digital marketing director for Guitar Center, cited a two-fold increase in click through rate on non-branded campaigns.
In addition to ETAs, the availability of device bidding and responsive display ads for native have also been rolled-out, although the rollout of separate device bidding will take a few months to reach all accounts.


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STORY UPDATED: check for updates below.
Are condoms marketed for repeated use? No, that's not true: Condom makers are not manufacturing or recycling their products to be used more than once. The social media posts appear to be satirical. One entry suggests Durex brand prophylactics are reversible so they can be used twice. Another post offers "pre-used" Trojan condoms that have been "triple-washed & sanitized."
Like 2 condoms in one!
Two sided condoms for repeat wear
3 doubled-sided condoms
This is what the post looked like on Facebook on January 6, 2022:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Thu Jan 6 16:43:34 2022 UTC)
A satirical website called News Spoilers ("Pre-news for a post-truth era") took the Durex meme a step further, writing an article (archived here) on January 15, 2020, with the title "LEAKED: Durex to launch reversible condom to circumvent single-use plastic law."
In a January 7, 2022, email to Lead Stories, Reckitt, the parent company of Durex, said consumer safety is their top priority:
We are aware of fabricated imagery and false reports stating that Durex has created a reversible condom. Durex condoms are designed to be used once and disposed of - incorrect use diminishes the protective effect of condoms by leading to breakage, slippage or leakage.
TRIPLE-WASHED & SANITIZED
JUST LIKE NEW!
3 PRE-USED UPCYCLED CONDOMS
Something special for tonight 😍 pic.twitter.com/tKMWyNchEm-- adam.the.creator (@AdamPadilla) February 14, 2020
(Source: Twitter on Thu Jan 6 18:26:02 2022 UTC)
The faux Trojan product is a digitally manipulated image posted to the account of Adam Padilla, who goes by adam.the.creator on Twitter. His profile includes the line "I meme therefore I am." A quick check of his posts shows a long string of satirical images, including one for another fake Trojan product:
Now we'll always be together pic.twitter.com/32K8qYThe9-- adam.the.creator (@AdamPadilla) February 12, 2021
Lead Stories checked the Trojan Brands website to see if it was selling "pre-owned" condoms but found no such listing. A Google reverse image search shows both fake images (Trojan and Durex) were widely shared on social media.
Lead Stories also reached out to Trojan for comment and will update this story if they respond.
2022-01-07T19:24:38Z 2022-01-07T19:24:38ZAdds quote from Durex.


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In delightfully bizarre style news, MAC Cosmetics has an upcoming ‘The Simpsons’ themed makeup collection.
First reported in early May, the fall collection which will make its way online August 28 and hits shelves September 4, was recently revealed in its entirety. Lucky Comic-Con attendees get first dibs on the electric blue, Marge-beehive-hairstyle inspired eye shadow and yellow mystery tube (Simpsons hued concealer?) at a one-day sale during the event on Saturday, July 6 in San Diego.
In a press release, Marge gushed about her favorite products from the 10-piece collection that includes nail stickers, an eye shadow palette, lip-gloss and lashes. “They’re all so great,” says Marge, “but I must say that Lisa’s Spikes really works with my skin tone and of course, Beehive Blue complements my hair perfectly.”
Looks like the trend this fall will be Simpsons chic.


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South Wales West AM Peter Black has urged the Labour Government to rethink its policy of abolishing the Post Office Card Account in 2010.
His call comes after a report by the New Economics Foundation found that the move could cause the closure of Post Office branches, taking hundreds of thousands of pounds out of the local economy.
A survey by Mr Black of local Post Offices in his constituency has already established that the loss of the card account could force the closure of anything from a third to half of all local Post Offices.
The New Economics Foundation Report found that for every £10 earned in income, a post office generates £16.20 for the local economy.
It found most local businesses suffer a significant impact following a closure and traders noticed a loss of custom in areas affected.
Mr Black said: 'This report underlines everything that I have been saying about the importance of local Post Offices over the last five years or so.
'This Government has presided over thousands of local Post Office closures and is threatening still more by its proposal to abolish the Card Account.
'Post Offices offer important services to their local area and act as a substantial economic driver.
'This Government policy has the potential to devastate local communities. Post Offices should be given more flexibility to adapt to high street trends.
The Government should be investing in local branches, not closing them.'


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Ukraine to give cryptocurrencies legal status
Legislation will include blockchain implementations, as well as the creation of new virtual assets and a virtual currency market
Ukraine has become the latest country to announce it is creating a framework to establish a legal status for cryptocurrencies.
The country’s move follows similar initiatives from Belarus, Switzerland, Malta and Gibraltar, all of which have passed regulatory guidelines for digital currencies.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine says it will work with crypto company Binance to create a series of bills which will be presented to its parliament by the end of 2019. These will focus on blockchain implementations as well as the creation of “new virtual assets and a virtual currency market in Ukraine.”
The country’s deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, enthused about the alignment between the executive, legislative authorities and the market stressing how they “have come to an understanding of the regulation of the Ukrainian cryptocurrency market.”
What is your sentiment on LTC/USD?
“Thanks to this step, both Ukrainians and global cryptocurrency companies will be able to operate in Ukraine openly and transparently,” concluded Fedorov.
In an accompanying press release, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao stated that the legalisation of cryptocurrencies, and the adoption of progressive legislation can play a key role in bringing positive growth to the economy as well as attracting additional investment.
Ukraine has been exploring ways to legislate about cryptocurrency for several months now. In October MP Oleksii Zhmerenetskyi announced that three bills to regulate cryptocurrency were being prepared and invited blockchain and crypto experts to submit relevant proposals.


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What a day for Chicago tech.
Today, Forbes released their annual list of the year’s hottest startups. This year, a stealthy Chicago startup beat out the ultimate Who’s Who of tech notables — including Slack, Uber, WeWork, DraftKings, and ClassPass — to land at Forbes’ number one spot.
“Going forward in years and decades to come, the revenue that comes off of insight will rival other macro categories like parts and service,” Uptake CEO Keywell told Forbes. “Granted, we are early, but I’m looking over the horizon and seeing insight as a major value driver. So we are partnering with companies who want to be part of the solution and not disrupted by it. It’s challenging for the biggest companies to innovate at the speed of an entrepreneurial organization.”
Keywell is, of course, one of Chicago’s most well-known serial entrepreneurs, responsible for other Chicago tech companies like Groupon, Mediaocean, and Echo Global Logistics.
Uptake works with companies like Caterpillar, the Peoria, Il.-based machinery and engine manufacturer, to provide Internet of Things-driven solutions and insights they don’t have the in-house manpower to do for themselves.
Uptake was joined by Chicago’s online marketplace for used and unwanted gift cards,
Photos via Uptake.
Have a tip for us or know of a company that deserves coverage? Email us via [email protected]


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New York (The Verge) — Someone is putting VR headsets on cows, and we want to know why trib.al/3yIvj1k.
Reports from Russia say a dairy farm near Moscow is trialing virtual reality headsets for cows. According to the local agricultural ministry, the trials show the VR headsets improved the herd’s dairy yields, but it’s not at all clear whether this was a real experiment or an elaborate marketing stunt. Fake moos? It just might be.
The reports say tests of the VR headsets are being carried out at a farm near Moscow, with the (Google-translated) release noting that the goggles have been specially adapted for a cow’s head shape and vision. VR designers were also reportedly hired to create a “unique summer field simulation program” for the animals to enjoy. — James Vincent/@verge


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Skoda Auto India has started production of its popular sedan Octavia at its facility in Shendra, Aurangabad, the company said in a statement.
The newest model of Skoda Octavia, which is the fourth update since it was first introduced in 2001, is expected to be launched in India later this month.
“With the commencement of production, we also commit to a stronger product portfolio as we look to grow our presence in India,” Skoda Auto India Brand Director Zac Hollis said.
“In line with our laser sharp focus on customer centricity, we are also rapidly growing our network presence and have introduced several initiatives to ensure an unmatched ownership experience,” Hollis added.
Some major changes in the latest version includes an increase in length by 19mm and width of 15mm.
On the outside, the Octavia will get a more conventional design that looks similar to the new Skoda Superb. The interiors will include a horizontally placed infotainment screen and a twin spoke steering wheel.
The celebratory Lava Blue vehicle dons the Lauren & Klement badge that pays homage to the founders of the longstanding Czech auto manufacturer as well as its 125 years of rich history and heritage, the company said.
Skoda is expected to launch the Octavia with a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine can produce 190 hp of peak power. The company is, however, expected to skip a diesel model.


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Every year, GHD launchs a 'Pink' campaign in partnership with Breast Cancer Now. At Sunshine, I was tasked with coming up with their creative for their 2017 campaign.
Women regularly lose their hair as they undergo cancer treatments and look to wigs to keep their pre-cancer look or to find a new one. Real hair wigs are incredibly expensive, in part, due to a lack of real-hair donations and the labour required to make them.
As a hair brand, it seemed only obvious to empower women with hair, to cut their hair into a new style and give the hair they no longer need to women who desperately want it.
And so #choptoyourchin was born.
An initiative to inspire women across the country to cut their hair for a good cause.
Throughout August, September and October 2017, ghd and the Little Princess Trust, encouraged people with long hair to proudly chop to their chin and donate the hair to the Little Princess Trust; a charity supplying real hair wigs free of charge, to children across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
To inspire the women of the UK, Elle Magazine live streamed celebrity Amber Le Bon as she had 7 inches of her locks cut off by a GHD stylist before it was sent off to be made into a wig.
Below are just some of the thousands of women who took to social media to show off the 7+ inches cut and also their fantastic new short hair looks.


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In fact, the fight got so viscous in 2009 that AT&T (News
) went to court
to try and block Verizon's (News
) "there's a map for that" ad campaign.
The joke wasn't lost on consumers and we have been watching this battle ever since, many of us benefitting from the stiff competition and subsequent deals to win and keep our business.
Now, a new deal has been done. Reuters (News - Alert)
that approval has been granted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for the sale of Verizon Wireless's $2.35 billion wireless spectrum license to AT&T.
Yes, you read that line correctly; Verizon is selling some of its assets to AT&T.
If Verizon is trying so hard to claim some of AT&T's share in the overall market, why is the carrier handing some of it over for mere money? Don't worry - Verizon has its own plan and it includes purchasing Alltel.
According to Verizon Wireless, which is owned by Verizon Communications and Vodafone (News
) Group, it must sell these assets in order to gain regulatory approval to purchase rural provider Alltel. Once this is complete, Verizon expects to be positioned even better in the market to drive market share.
AT&T expects to be able to close the deal by the end of the month. Once complete, AT&T would be able to claim 1.6 million new customers and expand its network in 79 primarily rural service areas across 18 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California Colorado, Iowa and Kansas.
The carrier then plans to integrate new customers onto its network over the following 12 months and promises customers would see no changes in their coverage, rate plans or existing contracts - at least for now. One perk offered to customers is the ability to select a new phone comparable to their existing phone at no extra cost.
Will customers happily follow along to AT&T in this change? It could certainly be the push needed for those on the fence to take the leap, but others may not be so willing. Given AT&T satisfaction ratings, unless the user is in search of the iPhone (News
), other carriers may benefit from the churn.


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The UK has been hailed the global hub of social enterprises; one in five UK SMEs are motivated by a social purpose to benefit the world around them. Consumers themselves are becoming increasingly ethically conscious and 39% of UK adults surveyed as part of a gov.uk publication in June 2014 said they based their buying decisions on the ethical practices of the business in question.
With 5.2 million businesses in the UK to choose from, consumers are enticed into dealing with those with ethical practices that are implemented across the board – not just social enterprises. As a nation, we are seeing the rise of the social entrepreneur – and we don’t mean in the reply-to-all-tweets sense. Social entrepreneurs set up their businesses to solve social issues. They are game changers that seek to make a difference with their products sold or the projects they reinvest their profits in. Businesses big or small can make a difference to society with simple ethical practices and, for the many implementing them, the practices are normal.
The businesses featured below are led by social entrepreneurs who seek to make a real positive difference to the world.
The only way is ethics
Paving the way for social entrepreneurs, Lush is widely considered to be one the of the UK’s most ethical retailers. The brainchild of Mark and Mo Constantine, Lush is renowned for its natural products and extensive list of ethical practices. Its fundamental founding principle is the profound avoidance of animal testing. “We are absolutely vehemently opposed to it. If it meant shutting the business, we’d shut the business before we animal tested,” says Hilary Jones, ethics director at Lush. “We run the most stringent animal testing campaign. As far as is humanly possible we check, we double-check and we audit to make sure nobody in our chain is involved in animal testing. We do believe in this really strongly; it’s what runs through our veins.”
“Our ethics are about us feeling comfortable with the kind of company that we are running,” Jones continues. Lush is constantly evolving its ethical policies in line with the changing needs of its suppliers and customers. When it discovered that by using palm oil it was contributing to the destruction of orangutan habitats, it eliminated palm oil from its products and is now working on a way to use the product without adding to the devastation. Lush would rather use its buying power to persuade suppliers to practice ethically where possible and its SLush charity was launched to support suppliers by creating better working and living environments, funded by 2% of Lush’s product and packing spend. “We don’t just take into account the labour accounts and the working rights, but also the environmental problems,” says Simon Constantine, head of ethical buying at Lush.
“By initiating our own projects and working with people, we tend to be working around permaculture techniques” reveals Constantine. “In Kenya, farmers can grow their own food but they can also use geranium as a crop to intercrop, so in between they can grow geranium which helps to fend off pests, and when the time comes to harvest the geranium, we distil it for essential oil and we can use that essential oil in our products.” Lush prefers to be personally connected with its suppliers and its SLush charity, along with its charity pot product, has helped communities and charities immensely.
Many consumers have begun to boycott large companies that avoid tax but Lush holds a strict stance on its tax and even taxes its air miles as it believes that the aviation industry should be taxed. Its self-imposed tax is donated to charities campaigning for the aviation change. “Many of us within Lush really strongly feel that your taxes contribute to society and, as a business, you should be contributing to the society that you are trading from. All of us retailers are sitting on high streets that have been built by tax money,” says Jones. “Our main stance is trying to be as open and transparent for customers so they can make their mind up,” Constantine adds.
Holding up local economies
Cornwall is a county that relies deeply on tourism; holidaymakers flock in their thousands, generating a whopping £1.9bn for the Cornish economy. However, Cornish local communities struggle on when tourism quietens. Emma Douglas, co-founder of Picnic Cornwall, recognised the problem with seasonal trading and opened a deli that celebrates all that Cornwall has to offer, only stocking Cornish produce from Cornish suppliers.
Celebrating Cornish produce became the sole foundation for Picnic Cornwall, Douglas explains. “Neither of our backgrounds were in food in drink but we’d always loved food and drink festivals. However, we found that once they were done you couldn’t get all of that produce in the same place so we thought there was a bit of a gap in the market and put our business plan and ideas together from there,” reveals Douglas. “We liked the variety that Cornwall has to offer and, whilst there was a deli in Falmouth, there wasn’t a deli that sold particularly Cornish produce and we were keen to support the local economy by not just employing people but by actually buying from Cornish producers and suppliers too.”
With national chains being its high street competition, Picnic Cornwall’s customers love the Cornish produce and the option to support the local economy whilst consuming tasty treats. Once a month, Picnic holds a ‘Meet the Makers’ event for customers to learn about its product origins. “Because we source locally it does mean that we are able to let our customers meet our producers, which people love,” says Douglas. “It’s something that you wouldn’t get the opportunity to do with a bigger organisation or a national chain. It’s really popular.
Supporting and celebrating Cornwall is the sole mission for Picnic Cornwall. It encourages customers to picnic around Cornwall and its map mural shows how close the beach and local landmarks are. It offers a delivery service and delivers products by foot within a one mile radius. Further afield, it would prefer to use a local taxi firm for delivering to further support the local economy. And its ethical retailing doesn’t end there: it provides its wares for charity events and buys free range when it can. As its founders are avid supporters of the Choose Cornish Campaign, its coffee is ethically sourced and roasted in Helston.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure
In 2004, Canadian born Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse, moved to the UK. In that year, she was shocked to discover that 100 million tonnes of rubbish went to landfill, a monumental amount for a small nation island. After a chance meeting with the London Fire Brigade and learning about its decommissioned fire hoses going to waste, the entrepreneurial flair in Wesling ignited. She knew that tackling a 100 million tonne problem was a mighty feat but a ten tonne niche problem was one she believed was in her power to solve.
“Our entire goal from the beginning was to save London’s hoses and by 2010 the business had scaled to the extent where we were able to do that. The business didn’t start because we wanted to start a business; it started to solve a problem and we solved it,” Wesling professes. Ten years on from conception, the company now creates everyday accessories from 15 different reclaimed wastes including decommissioned fire hoses, military grade parachute silk, coffee sacks and leather.
“Our goal isn’t to just reuse; our goal is to cherish a material,” Wesling says proudly. “For us the mission is always to take something that was under loved and turn it into something that everyone can love in the same way that we do.” Wesling and her husband rescued the fire hoses that were beyond repair after years of service fighting fires and saving lives. They valued the history behind the hoses and turned them into everyday accessories.
In homage to the duty that the fire hoses served and the brave fire fighters they equipped, Elvis & Kresse donates 50% of profits made from products made of fire hoses to the Fire Fighters charity, as well as donating 50% of the profits from each collection to relevant charities that have provided the waste. Its small and committed team of 11 has proudly donated £50,000 to these charities thus far. “You could say that 50% was a lot of money, but actually its 50% of profit. I’m a firm believer that profit should be redistributed and should be shared,” Wesling states. She believes that donating profit is not a sacrifice for her. If more companies followed suit with this generosity it could be injected into communities and tackling world problems.


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Originally from Baden, Teddie Martin, Mimi Shirey and Kathy Feathers had a choice to start a business anywhere, but decided they wanted to stay true to their hometown.
The three sisters, all Ambridge graduates, decided to combine their arts and craft talents and open a business together in the place they grew up in and love.
Located at 540 State St., Amazing Crafts By You officially opens to the public on Saturday, Aug. 2 with an open house from noon to 3 p.m. The grand opening will include refreshments and giveaways, including a few free complimentary classes.
Martin said they’re all getting older and Shirey, the youngest of the three,
wanted to keep the family close after their parents, who still live in Baden, fell ill. She also wanted to share her interest of creating.
Shirey is a florist by trade for 29 years, and uses new materials to make items. On the opposite end is Martin, who likes to repurpose items and oldest sister Feathers, whose talent is airbrush painting.
Amazing Crafts By You offers workshops for adults, teens and children. Birthday parties and private parties, such as ladies night out, are always an option, and the shop provides groups a gathering space to bring snacks and drinks, including adult beverages, while learning something new.
For teens and younger children, there are classes where kids can create a make-and-take craft, such as decorating small birdhouses using materials like burlap and moss. Children’s classes are meant to be educational and provide a learning opportunity in addition to making a craft, Martin said.
“I want them to want to come back and share something,” she said.
Each month, examples of the featured projects, such as wreaths and arrangements, will be displayed on the store shelves. Martin said projects will change from month to month as new projects are offered for customers to create.
“We really want for everyone to have an experience. We want to be able to show you so that you can go home and gather some of these things up and maybe repurpose something, or freshen up a wreath.”
Painting classes for beginners are also regularly offered, like the upcoming meadow painting class on Aug. 7 and sunflowers on Aug. 22.
The sisters realize there is competition out there with other paint places. However, they also believe their business offers a different kind of experience.
Martin said they plan to offer angel readings for three days in August and hope in the future to offer mosaic stained glass workshops, among others. They are looking for instructors too.
All upcoming classes can be found on their online calendar and sign-ups are now open at amazingcraftsbyyou.com. Class sizes are limited and registration is requested to reserve a seat. The shop will also take phone reservations for those who don’t have computer access.
Martin said not all classes will be immediately full, so calls or walk-ins are also welcome to find out about available space.
Visit amazingcraftsbyyou.com for more information.
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By RYAN KNUTSON
HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Oregon, facing the fourth-highest unemployment rate in the nation, has stepped up its campaign to lure clean-technology companies in an effort to pull itself out of the recession.
The Oregon Business Development Department's network of about 45 economic-development officials has more than doubled the time spent reaching out to clean-tech companies since 2008, said Bruce Laird, clean-tech recruitment officer in the department. In February, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski assembled a group of industry leaders to help the state compete for federal stimulus dollars for clean-tech projects. And this month, he vetoed legislation that would have reduced tax breaks for clean-energy companies.
The endeavors come as Oregon tries to repair its battered economy. With declines in its key computer-manufacturing and timber industries, the state's 11.9% unemployment rate in July trailed only Michigan, Nevada and Rhode Island. In June, the state slashed its 2009-11 budget by $3.2 billion, or nearly 20%. Capturing clean tech is "viewed as essential for Oregon's economic recovery," Mr. Laird said.
While acknowledging a "greater sense of urgency" currently, Mark Brady, the sustainable development liaison in the Business Development Department, pointed out that the state's efforts date to at least 2005.
As a result, Oregon's incentives for attracting clean-tech firms -- those that make alternative energy or energy-efficient products -- are among the most aggressive in the nation. The state's business energy tax credit funds 50% of a renewable-energy manufacturing facility's cost, up to a total credit of $20 million per project. That dwarfs similar incentives in states such as Hawaii, which caps credits at $2 million, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. From 2006 to mid-2009, Oregon spent $386 million on tax credits for clean-tech companies, according to the state Energy Department.
"Oregon is one of the top three states in the country in terms of growing its clean-energy economy" along with Colorado and Tennessee, said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group's U.S. Global Warming campaign, a nonprofit that is part of the Pew Charitable Trusts.
According to a recent Pew study, Oregon had 19,000 clean-tech jobs in 2007, up 50% from 1998. About one of every 100 workers in Oregon works in the clean-tech industry, the largest percentage in the nation.
Oregon is particularly playing up its roots in computer manufacturing to attract clean-tech companies. That is because many skills used to make solar cells are akin to those used in computer manufacturing, said Desari Strader, executive director of the Oregon Solar Energies Industry Association, a trade group. Workers that have lost computer-manufacturing jobs need little training to begin in solar manufacturing, she said.
These days, such workers abound: As of June, employment in Oregon's computer and electronic manufacturing industry was down 6,000 workers from 2007 to 34,600, according to the state Labor Department.
Tony Caywood's career symbolizes that shift. In 1998, the technician was laid off by Japanese chip maker Komatsu Ltd., which shut its manufacturing site here in this Portland suburb that year. Oregon later offered $40 million in tax incentives to German solar-cell maker SolarWorld AG, which bought Komatsu's vacant plant in 2006.
Today, Mr. Caywood is back to work in the same building -- this time, making parts for SolarWorld's solar panels. "I never thought I'd be right back here," said Mr. Caywood, 51 years old, adding that he uses similar techniques to make solar cells as he did for chips.
Still, Oregon faces challenges as other states compete to expand their clean-tech industries. Oregon particularly lags in receiving venture-capital investment for clean tech, garnering $70 million in clean-tech venture funding between 2006 and 2008. That is in contrast to California, which led the nation with $6.5 billion, or Texas, No. 3 in the nation at $716 million, according to the Pew study. Overall, Oregon has 1,600 clean-tech businesses, fewer than Florida's 3,800 and New York's 3,300, according to the study.
Oregon's incentives weren't enough to secure Schott AG subsidiary Schott Solar Inc. The solar company last year chose to put a solar-component-making plant in New Mexico instead of Oregon. Chief Executive Gerald Fine said New Mexico gave the company a $14 million cash outlay and other financial incentives that he declined to detail. "We clearly thought the state of Oregon had a number of advantages," but "a financial analysis made the decision for us," Mr. Fine said.
SolarWorld, however, said Oregon's $40 million in tax credits, its trained work force and environmentally friendly policies helped it choose the state over Washington and California in 2006. Today, the company has about 500 workers in the old Komatsu plant and expects to double that work force by 2011.
"Oregon up to this point has been great," said Gordon Brinser, vice president of operations at SolarWorld Industries America.
Write to Ryan Knutson at firstname.lastname@example.org
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page A5, August 28, 2009


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Samsung has already released five different smartwatches over the last year to varying degrees of success, but Yonhap News is reporting that the South Korean vendor is preparing to launch another in Berlin next month. Industry sources believe that Samsung’s next wearable device will be the Gear Solo, the company’s first standalone smartwatch which can make phone calls without being connected to a smartphone.
The Gear Solo will reportedly feature its own SIM card slot, but as SamMobile notes, Android Wear does not currently support SIM cards. In other words, the Gear Solo will almost certainly be running some form of Tizen similar to the Gear 2 line. The Gear Live will remain Samsung’s only Android Wear device for the foreseeable future.
The report also claims that Gear Solo users will be stuck using the 3G network rather than LTE, but at the rate Samsung is releasing hardware, an LTE model shouldn’t be too far behind. Based on earlier reports, the Gear Solo (previously referred to as the Gear 2 Solo) will be more affordable than the Gear 2, so even if the phone call functionality of the device isn’t flawless, it could still make for a good all-in-one smartwatch on a budget
We should get our first look at the new watch alongside the Galaxy Note 4 phablet on September 4th when Samsung heads to Berlin for IFA 2014.


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iOS 12.1 Reveals Apple’s Plans For A 2018 iPad
Apple's all done upgrading iPhones for the year. In addition to the smartphones, we've heard several details about new iPads on the rumor mill this year. Face ID is a year old, and it's time for Apple to bring this functionality on the iPad. Rumors have pointed in the direction, and now so does iOS 12.1. Take a look below for more details.
iOS 12.1 Setup App Identifier Reveals That Apple Is Preparing For New iPads This Year
If we're honest then Face ID is the first true innovation that Apple's made in years. As markets and industries mature, companies often find it hard to introduce breakthrough new features. Apple in all of its 'glory' isn't immune from this fact either. The Cupertino based tech giant tried its best to market Force Touch as the 'next breakthrough feature'. But it failed simply due to the fact that you can't sell everything, even if you're Apple.
Back to the point. The good folks over at 9to5Mac are as diligent as ever, and now they're breathing new life into expectations of a new iPad. Apple really needs to upgrade its tablet lineup, and we're looking forward to it especially for one reason. There is no A11X, and Apple's AnX processors are the chips where it truly showcases its design prowess.
The screenshot above shows a unique identifier for an iPad that should launch later this year. It belongs to the Setup app that allows users to start using their new iOS devices after entering basic credentials. Apple's new iPad will feature Face ID if we're to believe previous supply chain and analyst reports.
The tablet has also been rumored with USB-C connectivity, with Ming-Chi Kuo also adding to rumors for the feature. Apple is expected to hold its iPad launch event either in October or November. The company's had quite a busy year especially as it launched a new, affordable tablet for the education sector earlier this year.
Thoughts? Let us know what you think in the comments section below and stay tuned. We'll keep you updated on the latest.
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Following Sunday’s “60 Minutes” broadcast regarding Colorado and legalized marijuana, the network’s web-only extra segment “Overtime” looks at pot tourism in the state.
Correspondent Bill Whitaker found the experience “mind blowing”:
“In all of our lives, in all of our experiences, marijuana, except in some instances for medical marijuana, marijuana has been illegal. You go to Colorado now and everything you thought about it is turned upside-down. It’s legal. It’s mind-blowing. You go into a warehouse and it’s a huge warehouse full of marijuana plants. And one we visited for our story is right across the street from a police station. You can smell it when you’re driving by. You can smell the marijuana in the air. And it’s all legal.”
“60 Minutes” producer Marc Lieberman notes that puns are an occupational hazard when covering the marijuana business — as Coloradans are painfully aware after a year’s worth of national media attention to the story.
More weedy TV coming out of Colorado’s pot industry:
Are you watching? ‘Pot Barons of Colorado’ is big business on MSNBC
‘Medicine Man’: Reality TV and legal pot, the ‘new American dream’
CNN’s ‘High Profits’: Docu-series will cover cannabis in Colorado ski towns
Video: They call this show ‘Shark Tank for pot,’ but would you watch it?


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A glimmer of hope for small businesses
New findings from a weekly U.S. Census survey show that things might be slowly looking up for small businesses — or at least steadying.
The big picture: The number of companies reporting severe problems from COVID-19 — or of temporary closings or having to cut employee hours — has been dropping. At the same time, far more said they had received aid through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
By the numbers: The Census Bureau has surveyed tens of thousands of small businesses over the last several weeks and has released three weeks worth of results.
- In the first batch of results, 38% of all respondents said they had received PPP money vs. 67% in the third batch.
- In the most recent survey, 62% had seen revenues decline in the past week, but that was down from 74% in the first week.
Yes, but: It's still bad. And more and more small business owners (35%) say they don't expect be back to normal operations for more than 6 months.
- Some states and territories have been harder hit than others. For example, in 12 states (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico), half or more of survey respondents said COVID-19 had had "large negative effects" on them.
- That included 60% of small businesses in Puerto Rico, 59% in Hawaii and New York, and 58% in Michigan.
- Nearly half of small businesses in Puerto Rico, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Jersey, Alabama and Louisiana only have enough cash on hand to last a month or less.
Some industries may never be the same. More than three-quarters of companies in the food and accommodation categories said they'd suffered "large negative effects" from the virus and shutdowns.
- So had more than 70% in arts and recreation or education.


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Full Transcript; Interview with Krishna Kumar, General Manager, Logistics – YBA Kanoo (First published in June 2017 as part of an ongoing Interview Series with Global Supply Chain Magazine)
Brian Cartwright, Managing Director, Top Management Resources Group:
I recently met with Krishna Kumar, GM Logistics for the Kanoo Group to get his thoughts on the current state of the regional logistics sector.
Krish took over the running of the Group’s logistics business 1 year ago having moved across from his previous role as Managing Director of Kanoo Terminal Services (a Joint Venture between Kanoo & Maersk), where he had spent the past 25 years. Prior to his time at Kanoo he has worked for Johnson & Johnson and Colgate Palmolive for several years and brings a wealth of insight and experience gained from major MNC’s and long established family owned businesses.
Kanoo Logistics offers Global Freight Forwarding and end to end Multimodal Supply chain Solutions to a variety of Industry Segments.
In the current economic climate business continues to be tough going for many organisations and the logistics space in particular has been impacted greatly so this interview presented an excellent opportunity to hear Krishna’s thoughts on the good, the bad, and the future of logistics in the region.
What do you think the future of logistics looks like in the Middle East?
The future is extremely bright, but we do need to focus on encouraging more collaboration and communication between key stakeholders in government and the private sector.
The future success of the industry should be a joint story, one where the government and the private industry plays a decisive role together. It is time for both to sit around the same table and talk to each other and chart the goal and the path in phases and steps.
There are many great ideas and initiatives being shared by government and private sector organisations throughout the region, but it can be challenging to get enough traction and alignment between key stakeholders from all sides to be effective enough to make a difference, so what can everybody in the sector do to help drive this forward?
Implementing ideas will take more than just will, it will take grit and sheer determination. The tools are there, technology is available, people can be retrained –but the resources need to be given shape by the joint forces of both the government and the industry.
You have a lot of experience in Saudi Arabia, the biggest market in the region for Logistics, so how important do you see Saudi’s role in this.
As the largest market in the region, both in terms of imports and exports, Saudi Arabia will make a huge difference and impact in the way logistics is done in the region, it’s imperative that the logistics community and government in Saudi Arabia is a major supporter and influencer of change and development.
What are your thoughts on how E-commerce is affecting the logistics sector?
The impact of e-commerce is already seen here with players upping their game, and also major shipping lines reengineering their model to dip into the end to end solutions, via digital platforms. Technology is now a differentiator of logistics services – be it, transport, warehousing, tracking, etc. which creates the visibility for the customer. Overall, the rise of E-commerce should have a very positive impact by accelerating the need for improved cross border collaboration between countries.
What do think about the level of skills and the availability of people with logistics experience in the region?
We are facing talent shortages for some functions, but it’s going in the right direction as training and qualification in the field of logistics has become a primary guideline for selection of employees, and improving the skill sets of the already employed.
Trainability and hence employability of local population is also now being taken very seriously, with the government of each country making it a law. This has led to logistics providers making a concerted effort to engage and upskill local nationals as well as their expats employees.
What is Kanoo Logistics doing in regard to upskilling employees and raising logistics industry standards?
We are raising the internal bar first – our Group has now a dynamic team of professionals led by a Group CEO, Dr Patrick Chenel, who have laid out the cards on the table and charted out the path into the future by taking steps: bold yet careful; fast yet consistent; local yet global; individually yet as One Kanoo.
We are raising the standard of our Group offerings with technology, compliance, people competence, Operational excellence – all aimed at one single goal: a strong customer focus & delivery.
Brian Cartwright, Managing Director of the Top Management Resources Group (TMR Group), is well known throughout the international Supply Chain & Logistics sector as a focused and highly proactive business leader, mentor, and thought leader. He has partnered with Global Supply Chain magazine to run a series of exclusive interviews with senior executives to uncover the facts and provide real time insight on what’s happening in the Supply Chain & Logistics sector across the region.


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The short-lived social impact cruise line, Fathom, has announced it will stop cruise operations in 2017, just one year since it began cruises to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
The cruise line, owned by parent company Carnival Corporation, started cruises in April 2016 and will end its cruise operations in summer 2017. The cruise line’s only ship, the 704-passenger Adonia will return to P&O Cruises.
The start-up cruise line received noticeably media attention, after it became the first U.S. brand to offer cruises from America to Cuba. However demand and interest in the social impact cruise experience offered by Fathom has proven to be limited.
Although Fathom will stop its cruise operations, it will evolve into a shore excursions company, offering social impact excursions to guests cruising aboard ships operated by the brands owned by Carnival Corporation.


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“The Moto E6 Plus will most likely be the upcoming budget-centric smartphone from the brand”
Moto E6 Plus looks all set for launch as the handset’s live images have now leaked on the Internet. The Moto E6 Plus is expected to be a slightly upgraded version of the regular Moto E6 that was launched back in July. As seen from the images, the Moto E6 Plus will pack a near bezel-less display, feature a chin and a dewdrop-like notch up top that houses the front camera. The back panel of the phone seems to sport a glass with dual camera setup at the top-right corner and a fingerprint scanner embedded in the Motorola logo at the center.
The volume rocker and power button are placed on the right spine of the phone. Lastly, a leaked image that shows the settings menu of the handset confirms the Moto E6 Plus moniker and Android 9 Pie OS. Just like other Moto devices, this one is also expected to run stock-Android out of the box.
Moto E6 Plus specifications
The specifications of the Moto E6 Plus remain scarce at the moment. However, if the Geekbench listing that was spotted a couple of months ago is anything to go by, then the handset may pack MediaTek’s octa-core Helio P22 SoC. It’s the latest mobile from the chipmaker, meant to power budget smartphones. The chipset will most likely be paired with 2GB of RAM for the base variant of the handset.
The Moto E6 Plus is expected to be a budget offering and come as a successor to Moto E5 Plus smartphone. The latter was introduced last year at a starting price of Rs 11,999 in India. There is no word on the Moto E6 Plus launch yet.


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The K@W Network:
Recent Wharton research illustrates the need for managers to understand where investor beliefs are when disclosing information.
Standard economic models ignore important things like health and well-being. A better model would take the shape of a doughnut, says author Kate Raworth.
Businesses could better deconstruct how people make decisions -- and potentially tweak the triggers, say experts at the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative.
Recent Wharton research proposes an analytics model to help businesses identify their high-value customers.
Wharton research shows that when consumers are offered more variety for future consumption, their perception of present satisfaction changes.
U.S. businesses looking to invest in Cuba face an uncertain policy regime, and national security dangers also loom, say experts.
IBM is calling thousands of its remote workers back to the office as a result of a switch in its business methodology. Will other firms follow suit?
Obamacare advisor and Penn professor Ezekiel Emanuel looks at innovative solutions for the health care crisis, in his new book.
China is the world’s biggest polluter, but it is investing aggressively in clean energy. What role will it play now that the U.S. has pulled out of the 2015 Paris[…]
Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods expands its presence in the grocery space, but could also provide a boost to the company across multiple sectors.


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It’s official – the era of the ‘lad’ is over! It’s final nail coming with the closure of the British edition of ZOO Weekly this week (the Aussie version closed in October this year).
But rather than slip below the waves with humility, aplomb and a dabbed tissue to a teary eye, ZOO’s done exactly what any right respecting lad’s mag would do – bring in the lingerie models for one final disgraceful hurrah!
The final edition features a floral wreath cover and models clad in black knickers acting as pallbearers as they symbolically lower ZOO’s casket under the a final epitaph of “Ashes to ashes. Bust to bust”. Wicked until the very end!
The British edition of ZOO UK launched in 2004 and closes after 11 years and some 610 issues. The Aussie edition didn’t fare as well, lasting from 2006 until its closure this year.
In early November, the publisher in the UK, Bauer Media, decided to call time on both ZOO and FHM and bought to a close the end of lad’s publishing that dominated the British magazine scene from the mid-90s until the mid-2000s and included such brands as Loaded, Maxim, Nuts, Stuff and Jack.
At the height of its fame, FHM UK printed a million copies a month and typically sold out in the first week. The edition went on to spawn 33 international editions (including an Australian one) and was one of the planet’s biggest and most transferable magazine brands
But alas, tastes and technologies change. And just as the lad’s category was the death knell for fleshier titles such as Playboy and Penthouse, a new generation has consigned the lad to the great publishing scrap heap. This new internet-savvy, immedidiate generation raised on web pages, CGI films and video games are clearly indifferent to what a paper magazine with staples has to offer.
And, it appears that the ZOO UK crowd were actually surpised to last as long as they did. The final message on its website reads: “So that’s it: after over 11 years of publication and 610 issues, ZOO Magazine is drawing to a close… We’ll be saying our final goodbyes in issue 610 – available in shops around the UK and via digital app stores on Tuesday 22 December. It also happens to be a special double issue (and a fitting collectable!), which we guarantee is the perfect ending and sign-off for Britain’s best men’s weekly.” Before ending: “It’s been emotional.”
The author of this piece worked at ZOO UK from 2006-2007. However, remembers very little of it.
Freedom Foods and 72andSunny Sydney have launched the first advertising campaign for Australia’s Own range of plant-based beverages. The campaign introduces a new visual world and identity for the brand and captures the healthy, positive feeling you get when spending time in nature and when consuming Australia’s Own certified-organic, plant-based beverages. As well as featuring […]
Nine creatives from APAC are among the 94 finalists from 27 countries in The One Club for Creativity’s prestigious Young Guns 19 competition, celebrating international creative professionals age 30 or younger. The finalists from APAC are: Hiu Ching Kung, graphic designer, Hong Kong Lam Ieong Kun, graphic designer, illustrator, indego design, Macau Raxenne Maniquiz, graphic designer, illustrator, Santa Maria (Philippines) Kiyotaka […]
OOH transit company Adflow has announced the success of the first phase of its regional expansion program. Adflow’s regional footprint has increased by 60 per cent to now include 65 regional locations. With 9.1 million people living regionally in Australia (growth of 1.1 per cent experienced in the 19/20 Financial year) and most regional centres […]
Freshworks, a leading software company, has started trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, marking an important milestone for the company. The company priced its IPO at US$36 per share (AU$49.76), raising about US$1 billion (AU$1.4B), resulting in a total market capitalisation of AU$13.7 billion (US$10B). Freshworks, which was founded in India, has strong roots […]
Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) is the biggest player in the holiday shopping game and Google’s most recent research suggests consumer interest for the peak sales season starts much earlier than retailers may realise. The pandemic has fundamentally changed buyer behaviour over peak sales season, with Google suggesting that global consumer interest in Black Friday […]