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The new 2017 Audi A4 has aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's barrage of crash tests, representing a massive improvement over its predecessor.
The A4 received top marks in all IIHS crash tests, including the small-overlap frontal test that simulates an offset head-on collision.
In comparison, the previous A4 received a "poor" rating, IIHS' lowest, in the demanding small-overlap test.
MORE: Read our 2017 Audi A4 review
The group also commended the A4 for its standard Pre Sense City collision avoidance system, which automatically brakes the vehicle in very low speed situations. Opt for the available Driver Assistance package and IIHS says that the car's collision avoidance technology is rated "superior," its highest-possible scoring.
IIHS only marked down the A4 for its headlight performance, which the independent, insurance industry-funded group said were "acceptable" on range-topping Prestige trim levels equipped with the optional Driver Assistance package. Those headlights are LEDs, while the Premium trim level's HIDs were rated "marginal."
This latest A4 rides on Audi and parent company Volkswagen's latest MLB 2 architecture, which has performed well in crash tests so far. The Audi Q7 crossover recently aced its IIHS evaluation as well, and although we don't expect IIHS to test the Bentley Bentayga any time soon, it's safe to assume it would do well in the same tests.
The A4 joins the Lexus ES 350, Volvo S60/V60, BMW 2-Series, and Audi A3 among entry-level luxury cars awarded a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS.


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Apple has just introduced iOS 4.3.5, a version of this operating system that has patched a small security flaw. This is the latest in string of iPhone system software updates to fix bugs and close security holes.
The official change log for this new version says simply “Fixes a security vulnerability with certificate validation.” Apple’s support website goes into more detail on the problem being dealt with: “An attacker with a privileged network position may capture or modify data in sessions protected by SSL/TLS”.
Installing this update requires hooking a recent-generation iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to a PC with iTunes installed on it. The new version will take several minutes to install.
There is an identical update released today for Verizon’s version of the iPhone 4: iOS 4.2.10. The installation process for this is the same.
The Latest Of Many
Users of Apple’s mobile devices should be getting used to installing small updates. Since iOS 4.3 launched in February, there have been four small updates released, all “bug fix” patches.
iOS 4.3.1 came out just a few weeks later and fixed a number of glitches. It took another couple of weeks for Apple to come out with iOS 4.3.2, which fixed just a single bug, a video problem with FaceTime. In May, the company came out with iOS 4.3.3, which removed the notorious tracking bug that caused many to think their iPhone was spying on them.
Just ten days ago, Apple came out with iOS 4.3.4, which took care of a security problem related to PDF files. And today there’s iOS 4.3.5.
It’s not known yet whether this will be the last such update before the debut of iOS 5, which is expected to happen in early fall.

domain: news


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The argument on National Monuments by the likes of companies like Patagonia are simply untrue.
A few years ago, we published a list of companies like Patagonia and REI which are so far left on their ideology, they are about to tip over. It was one of a handful of posts which Facebook decided to delete. Seems they don’t like when we expose how these companies use YOUR money to push their agendas. We do not shop at REI, nor will we buy products from Patagonia.
We urge you to do your research and find out if your hard earned money is actually being used against you.
Or, click here for the complete article: Natural resources chairman blasts fake narrative fueling critics of national monuments crackdown


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The Communication Workers Union, which is fighting a planned Royal Mail privatisation, said 125,000 members will be balloted.
Royal Mail said the possibility of disruption at its busiest time would be “damaging”.
The union warned a strike was “inevitable” unless a deal was agreed on pay, pensions, job security and working conditions.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “We are dealing with a company that is preparing for privatisation with relish. While the union continues to fight privatisation we are also dealing with the potential realities for workers if there is a change of ownership.
“Franchising, break-up and sale of mail centres, distribution hubs and Parcelforce, along with the introduction of a new workforce on lower terms and conditions, are real threats in a race to the bottom with mail competitors.”
We have reached breaking point, particularly in delivery offices
He said preparations for privatisation had already led to “relentless budget cuts”. He added: “We have reached breaking point, particularly in delivery offices.”
Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers in the CWU will be balloted from September 20, with the result due on October 3.
If there is a yes vote, the union must give seven days’ notice for strike action. It will be the first national postal ballot since a pay and conditions dispute in 2009.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail is very disappointed.
“Any industrial action, or the possibility of disruption, is damaging to our customers and our business, especially in the run-up to Christmas, our busiest time.”


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The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) plans to introduce a mobile payment platform to support intra-African trade and payments, according to Bank President Jean-Louis Ekra.
President Ekra said at the opening of Afreximbank’s annual Seminar/Workshop on the Fundamentals of Structured Trade Finance in Lusaka, Zambia, Tuesday, that the successful introduction of the initiative would bring over US$50 billion of informal regional trade, which currently takes place on the continent, into the formal sector, with attendant benefits to governments, businesses and trade financiers.
He said Afreximbank was working with Econet Wireless Group to develop and introduce the platform, noting that mobile technology had become one of the most important instruments for the conduct of financial transactions in Africa and globally and was seen by trade practitioners as a potential instrument for supporting cross border trade and financial flows.
The President said the Structured Trade Finance Seminar/Workshop and other events organised by the Bank were aimed at contributing to efforts to address the trade and project finance challenges facing Africa and, in so doing, supporting trade and economic development on the continent over the long run.
Dr. Michael Gondwe, Governor of the Bank of Zambia, who opened the seminar/workshop, said as Africa strove to position itself as an economic powerhouse in the years to come, it must invest in appropriate technical knowledge and skills to support its current economic growth renaissance and further enhance development prospects.
Noting the central role of trade and development in Africa’s economic revival, Dr. Gondwe said banks had an important role to play in fostering cross-border trade, hence the need to have a breed of banks with the right knowledge and skills to support African traders in their cross-border transactions.
Also speaking, Dr. Henriquie de Azevedo, Head of Export Credit Division, Business in Africa of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), said with Brazil accounting for the largest concentration of people of African descent outside Africa, there was the need to strengthen financial and business connections between Africa and Brazil.
According to the Cairo-based Afreximbank, the seminar/workshop aims to equip African banks and bankers to deal with risks in financing trade and supply chain under difficult politico-economic environments and changing trade counterparties


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The medical industry is no stranger to new technology, and one of the newest developments to come is three-dimensional printing.
“Three-dimensional printing is shaping our future, especially in the medical industry,” wrote Matt Hlavin for OnlineTMD.com. “Although 3D printing was invented more than 30 years ago, investment in the technology has soared in recent years as more and more companies see its potential to drive a new industrial revolution – one that enables businesses to get products to market faster than traditional manufacturing.”
Three-dimensional printing isn’t exactly a commonly used technology in the medical field yet. But that could soon change as it is already in use in some ways.
Hlavin reports the following 3 facts about three-dimensional printing in the medical field:
- The medical industry uses 3D printing in many ways. For example, rp+m has printed skulls for surgeons around the world. They will send us a patient’s CT scan file and we will export those images into CAD software that our 3D printers can read and print. Doctors will use the skull prior to surgery to understand exact size and location, which will ultimately save time during procedures as well as reduce the opportunity for error.
- JALEX Medical, uses 3D printing technology so customers can get products to market faster. Recently, engineers at JALEX designed a surgical tool based on an idea from a surgeon. With the 3D technology, we were able to print the tool, allowing the developer to hold, touch, and feel the idea in early product stages. The engineers designed and customized the medical tool exactly the way the surgeon requested. As our experts talk with doctors and surgeons, they work in CAD software to take ideas and create models. In order to ensure the surgical tool fits and functions exactly they way the surgeon wants, we can quickly 3D print or additively manufacture one-offs of the device. If a dimension needs changing, we will make the alteration in the software and create a new prototype, saving time and money before production.
- rp+m collaborated with ExOne to create a material that has never been 3D printed before. In the past, similar material has been injection molded at Avon Lake, Ohio-based Thogus, another rp+m sister company, but customers couldn’t justify upfront tooling costs if they only needed 50 to100 parts per year. The tungsten material can shield radiation in body imaging equipment without the need for lead, while keeping the same density. Lead is a hazardous material and the Restriction on Hazardous Substances Directive in Europe will soon limit or ban its use there. Reports show the United States will soon follow.
“As the technology progresses and new material classes develop – including biomaterials, polymers, and metals – we will see applications and markets grow,” OnlineMTD.com reports. “Dr. Ed Herderick, director of R&D at rp+m, sees a new paradigm for manufacturing by design. Companies in the additive industry are coming together to create, develop, and test new materials and processes, so the implantable devices and 3D printing organs sectors continue to inflate. In the near future, our team expects doctors and surgeons to 3D print every hip cup or knee replacement so it is completely customized to the patient’s own bone structure.”
“The materials and processes for 3D manufacturing will continue to mature to the point where a new paradigm of manufacturing by design will emerge to replace the current paradigm of design for manufacturing processes,” Herderick says. “This will empower designers of engineering systems to create their machines and components with full freedom to choose approaches based on the end use performance criteria rather than limitations of manufacturing processes. As a result, new product designs will increasingly mimic the elegant design of nature maximizing performance and design content while minimizing waste. In the future, designers may use nature-inspired design to develop lighter, more streamlined parts and products, and increase efficiencies in industries such as oil and gas drilling, and aerospace.”
The medical industry is constantly changing and growing, and healthcare employers are looking for medical assistants who can change and grow with it. A Technical College offers a medical assistant training program that is designed to equip students with the skills and experience today’s employers are looking for.


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The cashless society has been a dream of the crypto community but mainstream establishments such as Banks are beginning to move towards the cashless society and soon this dream would become a reality. Barclays Bank of Kenya recently launched a new mobile app called Timiza. The app will allow its customers gain instant access to micro-loans from the comfort of their phones. According to the CEO ... Cryptocurrencies Steps In. Many experts now believe that Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies are a new demographic megatrend that is here to stay. Because of this, the transition from cash to digital payments methods including contactless Visa, Apple Pay, and Google Pay may be short-lived as cryptocurrency alternatives gain prominence. The CBDC eases people into a cashless society. States dislike cash because it offers an anonymity that blocks their ability to tax and control. If only the CBDC were permitted, however, extra ... China takes steps to become first cashless society after Covid-19 New digital yuan is a ‘game-changer’ for the world’s second biggest economy, according to experts Officials believe the worst of Covid-19 appears to be over in China, though there are concerns of another wave of infections as the government attempts to reboot the world's second largest economy. > China takes steps to become first cashless society after Covid-19 – The National. cryptocurrency . China takes steps to become first cashless society after Covid-19 – The National. April 27, 2020 No comment. posted on Apr. 27, 2020 at 5:01 am. As contactless payments become the norm amid the worldwide pandemic response, China rolled out its digital currency this month in four cities ... This article will examine the possibility of a cashless society where cryptocurrencies are being used. Furthermore, the pros and cons of a cashless society. As the world moves towards cashless means of payments and connected societies, the main question is whether virtual currencies can prosper in a cashless society.
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The beatings will continue until morale improves.
Motorola (MOT) cut another 2,600 jobs bringing the total since the beginning of last year to 10,000. According to The Wall Street Journal "Motorola, which is struggling to cope with a sharp plunge in cellphone sales, said it expects to take a first-quarter pretax charge of $104 million resulting from severance costs related to the latest job cuts."
The move is another example of the short-sighted MOT management. It has been clear for some time that the company will sell fewer handsets each quarter until it comes up with products which are more popular with consumers. Why was it not clear that more people had to go when the company looked at its business in mid-2007? The answer is that it was a victory of hope over reason. The senior executives at Motorola believed that business might pick up even though there was no empirical evidence to support that.
Motorola is almost certain to have more job cuts. Wall St. is guessing that the company only shipped 30 million handsets in the first quarter, In 2007, the cell phone division did $19 billion in revenue and lost over $1 billion. The sales in that operation could fall to $15 billion or less and the operating loss could double.
Motorola still has far too many people. The sooner it admits that, the better.
Douglas A. McIntyre


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Bangalore-based biotechnology firm has raised $5.4 million (Rs 30 crore) from Fidelity Growth Partners India (FGPI), a PE arm of Fidelity International.
As part of the investment, Abhinav Sinha and Prem Pavoor, directors at FIL Capital Advisors (India), will join the board of directors of Richcore, which currently includes Siddharth Das and Bobba Venkatadri from Ventureast and professor Kavil Ramachandran from ISB.
Founded in 2005 by Subramani Ramachandrappa, a textile engineer and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Richcore offers solutions for animal nutrition, bio-fuel, alcohol, textiles, food and beverages, animal feed, paper, detergent and leather industries. The firm’s key focus areas are novel enzyme applications for the energy, food and water industries. Its current product portfolio includes proprietary enzyme products to aid sugar and alcohol processing as well as a globally novel enzymatic product for industrial waste water treatment.
“Richcore is committed to identifying and developing innovative, cost-effective enzyme solutions that make industrial processes cleaner, greener and more efficient. Fidelity is the ideal partner on our next phase of growth, which includes expansion of our research organisation for the development of new enzyme technologies, building an international marketing presence and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities,” said Ramachandrappa.
In March 2010, the firm received funding of $1.90 million from early stage investor VenturEast Life Fund III and Ventureast Proactive Fund, a fund managed by Ventureast Fund Advisors India Ltd and in June 2008 also, it had received $1.15 million funding from Ventureast Proactive Fund.
Mumbai-based FGPI, founded in 2007, provides growth capital to companies operating in India and seeks to invest in technology, media, telecom, healthcare, life sciences, education, infrastructure, energy, logistics, financial services and retail sectors. The PE fund typically invests between $10 million to $50 million in its portfolio companies.
Since 2008, it has invested in around 15 companies including Richcore including Trivitron Healthcare Pvt Ltd, AbsolutData Research and Analytics Solutions Pvt Ltd, Big Shoe Bazaar India Pvt Ltd, MineralTree Inc. and Aptuit Laurus Pvt Ltd.
(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)


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Fiber-based satiety supplement could curb hunger, make you eat less
Food can be a battle for people with diabetes, as weight control and blood sugar management is more important for these individuals than the average person.
And since hunger can be a major barrier to success in these areas, researchers are leaning toward the development of satiety supplements - which make you feel less hungry and more full.
One such supplement, Weightain®, is a satiety ingredient that was shown in a recent study to positively influence food consumption in normal to overweight participants. The results suggest there may be a way for people to curb their appetites without adding additional calories.
Lower hunger levels observed
The study included 90 participants who were given a fruit-based smoothie for breakfast that contained a dose of either 20g or 30g of the Weightain® satiety ingredient. Control patients were given a regular smoothie without the supplement.
For those taking the satiety ingredient, food consumption at both lunch and dinner was lower: participants ate 5 percent less food at lunch and 7 percent fewer calories at dinner than the control patients.
"This is the first study to examine the short term effect of this particular combination of fibres on appetite and food intake," said Dr. Jo Harrold, from the University's Human Ingestive Behavior Laboratory in the Institute of Psychology, Health and Society.
The supplement consists of a combination of dietary fiber - which is commonly known to help control hunger - a viscous hydrocolloid and whole grain corn flour, which includes resistant starch.
Source: University of Liverpool


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Menstrual products now sales tax-free in Texas, Catholic Charities working to provide them for struggling families
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Menstrual products, diapers and maternity clothes are now sales tax-free in Texas. Senate Bill 379 went into effect this month, repealing what’s become known as the ‘Tampon Tax.’
The bill adds feminine hygiene products and things like breast pumps and baby bottles to the list of items exempt from the state sales tax.
Cynthia Quintanilla, the executive director for Catholic Charities of Lubbock, says with the state of the economy, it’s become harder for people to afford these necessities.
That’s why once a month, Catholic Charities opens a hygiene closet, providing five free items for anyone who needs them.
“The need has definitely grown, especially with the economy the way that it is. We have probably more than 500 families that we’ve been able to assist during the time that we’ve had this open,” Quintanilla said.
It’s been open for about a year and a half now. Last month, Quintanilla says it served 188 families.
“They’re always grateful that we’re able to help out, because these are things that they can’t get on any other type of benefit,” she said.
While many people take these items for granted, for several families, services like this and sales tax relief can help them stretch their dollars even further.
“Every little bit helps, and you know, when you’re living on a fixed income, I mean those few cents could definitely help make the difference,” she said.
Terri Rodriguez, the kinship navigation director at Catholic Charities, says the price change could help several of the families she works with.
“We noticed that there was a lot of need for kinship families, especially since kids were coming into their homes out of, just overnight or all of a sudden, so they needed hygiene items,” Rodriguez said.
She says more affordable hygiene products can impact everything from job interviews, to preventing bullying in schools.
The hygiene closet is open the last Thursday of every month from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is located at the Catholic Charities office at 102 Avenue J.
Copyright 2023 KCBD. All rights reserved.


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On the 2500 block of South Colorado Boulevard, an iconic red sign points the way to the ’50s-vintage University Hills Plaza. It also marks the spot where the University Hills Farmers Market sets up shop in the summer.
Now in its fifth season, the treasured neighborhood market opens again on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at University Hills. Launched in 2018 by Robin Singer-Starbuck, the outdoor market hosts around seventy vendors, from farm stands to baked goods to pet products, all made or sourced locally.
"I’ve built this market [from the] ground up, and it is such a deep joy to give back to a community I have loved my whole life," says Singer-Starbuck, who grew up in south Denver. "It's in close proximity to an awful lot of residential areas, it's centrally located, there is a nice walk-through flow, and I spread the vendors out so you find a little bit of everything for everyone throughout."
University Hills Plaza
University Hills Plaza's iconic sign.
has a long history in Denver. Opened in 1955, it was one of the city's main shopping hubs for many years. But like many malls and larger retail areas, the space began to decline over the past decade as tenants left and businesses moved online. In 2018, Singer-Starbuck came in to manage the plaza, filling empty spaces and revitalizing the strip. When she signed on, she'd done so with the idea of opening a seasonal farmers' market in the parking lot.
As it turned out, the city council had recently done a survey in the area on what people wanted to see in their neighborhood, and a farmers' market was high on the list. Singer-Starbuck made it happen, and she remains the marketing manager, main helper and go-to market gal.
Find Front Range Apothecary at the University Hills Farmers Market.
The first year, there were around twenty vendors, but that number has grown each year since. In general, says Singer-Starbuck, 60 percent of the stalls sell food in some capacity, either fresh, prepared or preserved, such as sauces, jams and spices. Greeters are posted at each entrance to help with everything from giving directions to relieving vendors who need a quick break.
The 2022 vendor lineup includes, but isn't limited to, Good Food Good Living, Bjorn’s Honey, Crystal’s Garden, Everybody Must Get Scones, La Biche, Garden Coffee, Pete’s Kombucha, Tamales Lady, Pastamore, Toby’s Po'boys, Mom’s Pralines, Milford Spice, Mush Love/Charlie, Paws & Us and Vicki’s Boutique along with various food trucks and pop-ups. On the produce side, there's Palizzi Farms from Brighton and Forte Fruit from Palisade.
"I'm thrilled the market has gotten as strong as it has," says Singer-Starbuck. "It's become quite a thing for the community, and I am so excited that I am attached to something that's such a feel-good in the area."
Additionally, the market works as a catalyst to raise money for schools. Singer-Starbuck has invited the local schools that have a garden to sell their produce at the market without a vendor fee. She also allows endeavors such as the nonprofit Denver Urban Gardens
, Compost Colorado
and Denver's Community Planning and Development
to have booths without paying for the space. Shoppers can enjoy live music and plenty of delicious samples being dished out as they wander around.
The University Hills Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through October 29, rain or shine. Looking for more farmers' markets? Check out our list of every market
in the Denver metro area.


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Around 15% of consumers in Brazil purchase goods from online supermarkets, a new study by the Association of Supermarkets of Sao Paulo (Apas) and the Ibope Inteligência's Connection Panel has revealed.
The practice was found to be most common among young people aged between 16 and 24 years, with the Southeastern part of the country reporting the highest online order rate of 16%.
The study included more than 2,000 respondents, who were above the age of 16 and from different social classes and regions.
Top in the list of purchases were personal hygiene products (57%), utilities (50%), and cleaning products (46%).
A wide range of products and economical pricing were found to be motivating factors behind the increase in online purchases.
Demand For Food Items
Another study conducted by PwC has highlighted the growing demand for food items among Brazilian consumers in the e-commerce channel.
In 2016, only 6% of consumers said they planned to buy food online, this year the figure is expected to reach almost 25%.
Research conducted by the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS) indicates that the e-commerce channel grew 12% year-on-year in 2018, to R$ 53.4 billion (€12.2 billion).
The categories that registered the highest growth were perfumes, cosmetics, and health products, accounting for 15% of all orders.
Food and beverages accounted for 2.5% of orders.
In 2019, the online sales channel is forecast to grow 15% to R$ 61 billion (€13.9 billion) in the country.
While Brazil is a leading market for online sales in Latin America, internet connection problems, sales concentration in the Southeast, logistical challenges, issues related to infrastructure, taxes, and costs are affecting the growth of e-commerce in Brazil.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.


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Grand Theft Auto V a showpiece for the UK games industry says TIGA
Trade association for the UK games industry TIGA is extremely excited about Grand Theft Auto V because of what it can do for the British games industry.
TIGA believes that the latest entry in the Edinburgh-developed powerhouse franchise will shine a spotlight on the kind of talent that exists in the UK games industry and help to kindle a renaissance after the slew of high profile closures in recent years.
Another fortunate side-effect of the release of GTA V will be a demonstration of the kind of money that a thriving games industry could inject into the UK economy highlighting the importance of getting the UK's tax relief policy just right.
TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson said, "GTA5 is one of those titles that gets everyone very excited and shines a light on the UK video games industry. It shows the world that the UK has the creativity and talent to make great games. It shows the economic potential of the game development sector. It generates interest in the achievement and potential of other studios throughout the UK."
- Paid Skyrim mods become the shortest experiment in Steam history
- Warner Bros announces Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass and Premium Edition
- New Just Cause 3 gameplay trailer features all of the destruction
- Techland announces a Dying Light modding contest alongside new updates for the toolset
- 2K announces the Evolve Proving Grounds tournament in conjunction with ESL
- Broken Age: Part 2 arrives for backers 24 hours ahead of the full launch
- Halo Championship Series Cup 1 cancelled due to continued online problems
- Dirt Rally announced as a PC exclusive, hits Steam Early Access
- PC benchmarking app arrives for Final Fantasy XIV players to make sure they can run Heavensward


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Vertu Motors Plc (LON:VTU) insider Jatinder Aujla sold 3,836 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 39 ($0.51), for a total value of £1,496.04 ($1,954.84).
Jatinder Aujla also recently made the following trade(s):
- On Monday, July 1st, Jatinder Aujla sold 25,043 shares of Vertu Motors stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 39 ($0.51), for a total value of £9,766.77 ($12,762.01).
LON VTU opened at GBX 37.75 ($0.49) on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 39.60. Vertu Motors Plc has a 12 month low of GBX 31 ($0.41) and a 12 month high of GBX 51.90 ($0.68). The company has a market cap of $140.91 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.16, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.16.
Separately, Liberum Capital reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of ITV PLC/ADR in a report on Wednesday, May 8th.
About Vertu Motors
Vertu Motors plc operates as an automotive retailer in the United Kingdom. The company sells new cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and used vehicles, as well as provides related aftersales services. It operates a chain of franchised motor dealerships offering sales, service, parts, and bodyshop facilities for new and used cars, and commercial vehicles under the Bristol Street Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.
Featured Article: SEC Filing
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President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the Kenya-US Trade Forum in Washington DC on February 6, 2020. FILE PHOTO Florizelle Liser, chief executive of the Corporate Council on Africa, said in an interview following the forum that the US has in fact worked to facilitate the Africa-wide trade agreement.
In New York
Kenya’s negotiations with the US on an unprecedented two-way trade deal are on schedule to begin on July 7 despite difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic, President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Friday.
“Our team is raring to go,” he assured an online forum sponsored by the Washington-based Corporate Council on Africa.
Kenya is aiming to create “sustainable jobs for our people” through what would be the first bilateral free-trade agreement between a sub-Saharan country and the nation with the world’s biggest economy, the President added.
The US also has much to gain from concluding such an arrangement, Mr Kenyatta suggested.
Kenya is part of a continent that “requires everything from toothbrushes to machine tooling,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta also sought to allay concerns that a bilateral deal with the US could undermine the African Continental Free Trade Area that is due to be implemented at the start of 2021.
The Africa-wide initiative is “very important to us,” the President said, noting that Kenya has worked hard to ensure its success.
He suggested that a Kenya-US bilateral pact can complement the continental trade agreement and could serve as a model to be replicated by other individual countries.
“If we are successful in these negotiations, Kenya can act as a lead or guide,” the President said. “We will be the guinea pig so that many other African countries can follow suit.”But Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, who also spoke at Friday’s forum, said the US has paid more attention to the possibility of a bilateral deal with Kenya than to the multilateral Africa trade agreement that will soon come into force.While hailing the significance of a US-Kenya trade deal, Mr Akufo-Addo lamented that “the emphasis of America on exploring opportunities on the continent has not been quite as intense as some of us would have wished.”Florizelle Liser, chief executive of the Corporate Council on Africa, said in an interview following the forum that the US has in fact worked to facilitate the Africa-wide trade agreement.A bilateral deal with Kenya is not an impediment to Africa’s efforts to forge a multilateral free-trade grouping, she added. The US side “understands that Kenya […]


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Photo Courtesy of Fisker AutomotiveLuxury-electric carmaker Fisker Automotive has named Tony Posawatz as its new chief executive officer this week. Mr. Posawatz, the former head of the Volt program at General Motors, replaces Tom LaSorda. Mr. LaSorda also is the executive responsible for the C-level hiring.
"Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker. He has been at the forefront of the industry's technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production,” said Mr. LaSorda. He also went on to say that part of his duties for Fisker was to recruit a long-term chief executive officer. “I cannot think of a better person than Tony to take us forward. He is a real product guy for a product-driven company.”
Tony Posawatz is highly regarded industry-wide and brings more than 30 years to Fisker. His most recently held position at GM was as its vehicle line director. From concept to production, Posawatz was responsible for bringing the award-winning Chevrolet Volt to the market.
"Ultimately, Fisker Automotive is all about products that challenge the way that we think about cars for the next generation,” said Henrik Fisker, the firm’s executive chairman and cofounder. “Tony's expertise will guarantee that Fisker leads the way with its second-generation powertrain technology for the Atlantic and other future Fisker products."
Fisker Automotive also announced the appointment of Joseph Chao as executive vice president and CEO of China and Asia. Chao, an executive with more than 30 years experience, most recently served as CEO and president of SG Automotive in China. Additionally, the luxury-electric car manufacturer named Alberto Gonzalez as vice president of manufacturing. The company has added more than 90 years of top-level management experience to its executive team.
“With these new appointments, we are sending a strong signal about Fisker Automotive and our future plans to develop the next generation of powertrain technology, bring more new Fisker products to market, and expand our global sales footprint,” said Mr. Fisker.


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Are Emergency VAT cuts on the way? What will this mean for Energy suppliers and Energy Billing?
image credit: Dyball
- Jul 2, 2020 4:00 pm GMT
- 514 views
The government has come under renewed pressure to implement an emergency reduction in VAT on electricity and gas to help revive the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Growing signs of a VAT cut
A new report recently published by the think tank Policy Exchange has suggested that by cutting the standard VAT rate of 20% to 15% consumer spending could receive a boost and help revive the economy.
Unlike VAT on other types of products, energy is charged at the point of consumption.
For the past nine years VAT on electricity and gas bills has been charged at the 20% rate for big and energy intensive businesses and the reduced rate (also known as the de minimis threshold) available to some small businesses is 5%. This applies if they use less than 33-kilowatt hours of electricity or less than 145 kilowatt hours of gas per day.
Domestic customers already pay the reduced VAT rate of 5% on their energy bills.
With recent economic data revealing that economic activity in the UK shrank by a record 24% in April, some economists are forecasting that a recovery could take several years unless action is taken by the government to stimulate spending.
This view was provided further credence after the Office for National Statistics released data that showed the UK economy shrank more than first thought between January and March, contracting 2.2% in the joint largest fall since 1979.
A VAT cut in July?
Pressure on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut VAT has been building from politicians too, with a cross-party group of MPs signing a letter asking for such a cut to be implemented.
“Right across the UK people are desperately worried about how they will make ends meet in the face of this crisis. Many already find themselves out of work, on reduced pay or having to rely on Universal Credit.
‘Ensuring people using prepaid meters are not cut off is a first step, but there are many who will need further assistance. The very least the Government can do is offer people a break from VAT on energy bills – this would be a quick and effective step which will immediately assist some of the poorest in our society.
‘It will at least partly alleviate the additional financial pressure created by the need to stay at home," said MP Jamie Stone who led the calls for a rate cut following the release of data showing that households could see their energy bills rise by £195 a year as a result of the lockdown.
‘New Deal’ Spending
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to enact a post-pandemic spending bonanza in order to help the UK economy recover and speaking earlier in the week said that the government was planning to launch a spending plan comparable to Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal following the Great Depression of the 1930s.
“We must work fast, because we’ve already seen the vertiginous drop in GDP, and we know that people are worried about their jobs and their businesses. We’re waiting as if between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap, with our hearts in our mouths, for the full economic reverberations to appear,” said the Prime Minister on Tuesday.
With all these factors taken into consideration, we could see the Chancellor announce new stimulus and tax cuts in his Summer Statement with VAT reduction being one of them.
Other nations have already announced VAT cuts. Germany, for example, announced at the start of June that it would be slashing VAT from 19% to 16% from the 1st of July until the end of the year.
Would VAT cuts help consumers?
A rate cut could help consumers in the short term, but some economists are concerned that a temporary VAT cut like the one implemented by the Labour government in 2009/10 provides limited economic benefits and can cause a massive headache for businesses as they struggle to implement the changes onto all of their products.
What will this mean for Energy Suppliers?
As well as the standard VAT rate being changed, energy suppliers also need to prepare for changes to the reduced rate.
Due to the UK still in a transition period with the EU, in theory, the reduced rate cannot be eliminated altogether but it’s not an impossibility that the current government could ignore this.
If a VAT change is introduced partway through a month then thanks to way energy is calculated bills could end up with two VAT changes on them.
Another thing to be aware of is possible changes to the de minimis threshold levels. This rate is up to which any usage should be considered.
Energy Suppliers should prepare
There are a few ways an energy supplier can prepare for VAT changes and reduce the disruption such changes could create.
Do a test run
An energy supplier should ensure that their billing system will work correctly and provide accurate bills after a VAT change is implemented. Double check the way energy bills are calculated as rate changes can create rounding errors.
Make sure that staff are aware of the VAT change and trained to implement such changes to the billing system. Ensure that they have the ability and confidence to spot errors created by the rate change.
Train staff to be able to handle customer complaints. Some customers will inevitably notice any changes created by the rate alteration, so staff need to be able to explain and defend the bill. Business customers, for example, are likely to question why their bills have two rates of VAT recorded on it and will no doubt challenge the bill.
An energy supplier should also get ahead of a spike in customers calling and questioning their energy bill. Send letters and post notices to your websites that clearly explain the situation and what it means for consumers.
Finally, make sure that everyone in the business is aware of the rate changes. Keep them informed and make sure everyone is aligned.
Using a CRM can help
Most Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can handle the implementation of VAT rate changes, but some can make the process far trickier than it needs to be and some even have VAT rates hardcoded into them and aren’t configurable.


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Figures provided to UK Finance by cybersecurity company Proofpoint showed in the final quarter of this year more than half of all reported ‘smishing’ text messages claimed to be from parcel and package delivery firms.
This proportion has more than tripled compared to the final quarter of 2020.
UK Finance said as more people are doing their Christmas and Boxing Day sales shopping online, criminals will be targeting the huge numbers of parcels being delivered across the country.
Often the fake text messages claim the courier has been unable to make a delivery and ask the recipient to pay a fee or provide additional details in order to rearrange, it explained.
They offer a link to “a very convincing but fraudulent website” asking for personal and financial information.
Katy Worobec, managing director of economic crime at UK Finance, said: “Scrooge-like criminals are using the festive season to try and trick people out of their cash. Whether you’re shopping online or waiting for deliveries over the festive period, it’s important to be on the lookout for scams.
“Don’t let fraudsters steal your Christmas - always follow the advice of the take five to stop fraud campaign and stop and think before parting with your information or money.”
Proofpoint operates the 7726 text message system on behalf of mobile phone operators, which allows customers to report suspicious texts.
Reports to the system are being used by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to take down fraudulent website URLs and prevent further fraud losses.
It is urging consumers to be on the lookout for scams and said social media platforms, online and auction websites are increasingly used by criminals to carry out these scams, where a customer pays in advance for goods or services that are never received.
Jacinta Tobin, vice president of Cloudmark Operations for Proofpoint, said: “Consumers need to be very sceptical of mobile messages that come from unknown sources. And it’s important to never click on links in text messages, no matter how realistic they look. If you want to contact the purported vendor sending you a link, do so directly through their website and always manually enter the web address/URL.
“For offer codes, type them directly into the site as well. It’s also vital that you don’t respond to strange texts or texts from unknown sources. Doing so will often confirm you’re a real person to future scammers.”
Earlier this month, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its first ever Christmas jingle in a bid to protect consumers against loan fee fraud over the festive period.


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Massachusetts Introduces New Laws on Vaping Products For 2020
Massachusetts Introduces New Laws on Vaping Products For 2020
There has been some controversy recently about the safety of vaping products, also referred to as e-cigarettes. Many people have resorted to these devices as an alternative to tobacco based products, or as a means of transiting away from using any type of tobacco product that is damaging to their health. However, vaping products have turned out to be no miracle cure as they are also associated with ill health amongst their users. Health officials investigating lung injuries have pinpointed vitamin E acetate, the “chemical of concern” in this outbreak of vaping related lung injuries.
Since the revelation that vaping users have either suffered lung injuries or have died due to vaping, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics up to December 2019 have confirmed there have been 54 deaths attributed to vaping.
Since that announcement, almost 2,300 cases of injury to lungs have been linked to the use of e-cigarette or vaping products as reported to the CDC from the 49 states, the D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
From these statistics and the fact that vaping products are bad for the heart and lungs and in the absence of any federal legislation restricting the use of vaping products, the CDC now recommends that people:
- do not use e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain THC;
- do not buy vaping products online;
- do not add or modify any substances to a vaping device.
Massachusetts is One Step Ahead With Vaping Legislation
A new vaping law comes into force June 1st, 2020. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has gone a step further than just issuing health warnings. In fact, back in September last year, he went as far as declaring a public health emergency which resulted in implementing a ban of four months on the use of all vaping products. This was in response to media coverage that a mysterious lung illness and fatalities throughout the nation were connected to vaping.
This temporary blanket ban was supposed to expire in late January but due to the new legislation Gov. Baker ended it on Dec. 11. The new law will take effect as from June 1st, 2020. It is not designed as a blanket ban on the products but it limits who can sell them with an emphasis on flavored nicotine products which includes the sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes and chew, as well as nicotine vaping products. These will be confined to just any licensed smoking bar where the products may only be smoked and nowhere else. The same restrictions will be applicable to other flavored tobacco products which include flavored chewing tobacco and menthol cigarettes.
Despite business owners and manufacturers of vape products condemning the passing of the law advocates are sticking to the argument that these new restrictions will help to stop both children and teenagers from nicotine addiction. This outbreak of lung injuries happens to coincide with the increase in popularity of flavored vaping products being used by underage users.
The concern that is now in legislators’ minds is that this could be heralding the rise of a new generation of Americans becoming addicted to nicotine products. A recent U.S. government study in highlighted that more than 27 percent of U.S. high school students indulged in e-cigarettes in 2019, a rise from 20.7% in 2018.
If you are charged with supplying a vaping device in contravention of Massachusetts’ new vaping law, you should contact a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help fight your case.
As from December 11th the new law implemented the following restrictions:
- Any retail store which has a license to sell tobacco products, like gas stations and convenience stores are restricted to selling non-flavored nicotine products which possess a nicotine content of no more than 35 mg per ml.
- The selling of non-flavored nicotine vaping products which have nicotine content more than 35 mg per ml can only be sold by a smoking bar and adults-only retail tobacco outlets.
- The consumption and sale of any flavored nicotine vaping product may only take place in a licensed smoking bar.
- From June 1 of this year the selling of combustible flavored cigarettes and other tobacco products, which include menthol cigarettes and flavored chewing tobacco, will be limited to just any licensed smoking bar where sales are for the purpose of only being consumed on-site. Also, as from June 1st, as well as the Massachusetts 6.75 percent sales tax a 75 percent excise tax on the wholesale prices of all nicotine products will be enforced.
Laws For a Non-Age-Restricted Retailer
- are not permitted to sell any tobacco product, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes to anybody below 21 years the legal minimum age;
- are not permitted to sell flavored electronic nicotine deliverers including flavored vaping products and e-cigarettes;
- are not permitted to sell any electronic nicotine delivery system with a nicotine content that exceeds 35 mg per ml.
- are not permitted to display any advertisements of tobacco products that it is not allowed to sell, use any fraudulent or any misleading statement in advertising, or put on display advertisements which include celebrities or cartoons.
- are permitted to sell any electronic nicotine non-flavored delivery system with a nicotine content of 35 mg or less per ml.
- must keep all records supplied by the manufacturer that show the nicotine content of any electronic nicotine delivery system that is sold on its premises.
- must store all tobacco products, which include both cigarettes and e-cigarettes so they cannot be accessed by potential customers.
Penalties for breaching the new rule are set at a fine not exceeding 1,000 dollars.
What to Do if You Are Caught Selling These Products
If the police demand to search your premises because they believe you are illegally selling any of these products you can demand to see a search warrant or if you believe you are not guilty you can give permission yourself for them to access your property.
Seek the Help of an Attorney
If you believe you were unjustly charged with violating Massachusetts new vaping laws, you should seek help from a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney to fight your charge.
Contact the Law Offices of Richard Mucci to order a free case evaluation. Call at 781-729-3999 to talk about your circumstances.


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The Straits Times
China tech giants lost their swagger and may never get it back
Published 1 Hour Ago
HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) – On trading floors in New York and Hong Kong, the brightening mood towards Chinese technology companies is unmistakable: With stocks such as Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings surging from multi-year lows, talk of a new bull market is growing louder.
Yet speak to executives, entrepreneurs and venture capital investors intimately involved in China’s tech sector and a more downbeat picture emerges. Interviews with more than a dozen industry players suggest the outlook is still far from rosy, despite signs that the Communist Party’s crackdown on big tech is softening at the edges.
These insiders describe an ongoing sense of paranoia and paralysis, along with an unsettling realisation that the sky-high growth rates of the past two decades are likely never coming back.
Alibaba and Tencent are expected to deliver single-digit revenue growth in 2022, a letdown after years of rip-roaring expansion. One prominent start-up founder said he would pass on money from those companies because of the attention it would attract. Another said his company is proceeding on the assumption that it is only a matter of time before officials double down again.


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Ford Mustang goes to auction for a good cause
A Ford Mustang GT has been donated to 'Kids Under Cover,' with all funds raised assisting with the prevention of youth homelessness.
An Australia youth homelessness prevention organisation – Kids Under Cover – has received its one of its biggest donations yet.
The charity acquired a Ford Mustang GT Fastback 5.0 V8 through their Donate Your Car Program, which has been running since 2006.
The initiative has given car owners the opportunity to donate their pre-loved vehicles, with all funds going towards the prevention of youth homelessness.
This recent generous donation will go under the hammer through Kids Under Cover auction partner, Manheim, with the reserve set at $75,000.
"Whoever buys this car will have a brand new sports car and know that every dollar they spent will be going towards preventing youth homelessness in our community", said Adam Walsh, Kids Under Cover’s Head of Fundraising.
The Mustang up for grabs packs a snarling 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine producing 339kW/556Nm, sending drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
This particular model is a 2021, two-door coupe finished in 'Race Red' and is listed with just 29km on the odometer.
The auction runs from 10am 22 November until 4pm, 26 November 2021. This story will be updated with the final sale price.


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Results tagged “canary wharf”
With a packed Christmas programme already under way, Canary Wharf Group's chief administrative officer Camille Waxer tells us what Wharfers can see this year.
Thousands of Wharfers tucked into free breakfasts this morning as Hilton Garden Inn served up pancakes, bacon rolls and muffins outside Canary Wharf.
Queues of commuters snaked out across Reuters Plaza as chefs took to the streets in a special Hilton Garden Inn food truck to dish out hot and cold items.
Shopping channel QVC revealed in recent research that Brits will spend an average of £831.95 each this festive season.
1 Christmas market at Canary Wharf
The decorations are already in the Canary Wharf malls and from Monday the estate will get its own Christmas market.
Shoppers in the malls at Canary Wharf were given the unusual view of security guards dancing on Friday.


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Parents are being urged to begin shopping for their children's Christmas presents as soon as possible, amid fears of a toy shortage.
With December 25th only 102 days away, families are being advised to start shopping for top Christmas toys (opens in new tab) sooner than usual.
The global shipping interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has left retailers without several product lines. The majority of toys bought during the holiday season are made in China meaning they may not be available this year.
Being a parent during the most wonderful time of the year involves hunting for the best Christmas toys. However, because of the disruption, some sought after favourites may be in short supply.
According to Frédérique Tutt, a global toy industry expert, "Shortages are a big concern for most makers. With anticipated supply chain shortages and resultant price increases on the cards, people need to shop early.
"Retailers and brands are trying to bring their stock shipments forward, but are expecting shortages to hit well before Christmas," he told the Observer.
Aside from shipping challenges, the UK is estimated to be short 90,000 HGV drivers, raising concerns that stockpile shortages may increase.
Shoppers are being advised to begin their festive shopping sprees as early as they can in order to swerve the potential toy shortage and avoid upset children on the big day.
High street toy giant The Entertainer's Creator and Executive Chairman, Gary Grant, added, "The shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when.
"So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment."
The reasons behind the toy shortages are similar to why gas prices are rising (opens in new tab) in the UK at the moment. Demand is high as economies recover from the pandemic but supply is short, following issues with importation and the cold weather we had at the beginning of the year.
The spike in gas prices is not likely to significantly affect consumers more than already thought but it will impact businesses supplying gas and electricity in the UK.
Since December 2020, Kudzai Chibaduki has worked as a trainee journalist at FUTURE, capturing all fashion, entertainment, and beauty content for the Lifestyle websites, as well as contributing to the shopping sections for Goodto.com's widely read online magazine. Kudzai previously worked as a freelance fashion wardrobe stylist, directing magazine photoshoots and coordinating the fashion direction of recording artists.
House of the Dragon: Release date and meet the cast of the Game of Thrones spin off
Game of Thrones fan will find everything to know about prequel House of the Dragon in our handy guide. Giving you the low down on release date, cast members and the book it's based on.
By Robyn Morris • Published
Who killed Seth Rich? The murder that spurred several conspiracy theories as told in Netflix's Web of Make Believe
Separating fact from fiction, we break down the Seth Rich murder case as explored in the hit Netflix internet docu-series
By Emily Stedman • Published


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Consumers in 10 of the world's top economies continued to be wary of spending their money in May, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Economic Current, which provides a snapshot of global consumer and retail trends across 10 countries which represent nearly 65 percent of global GDP. Tracking key performance indicators, Brazil and the U.K. led the pack with solid improvements in their scores, while the U.S. and Canada showed declines. The rest of the countries tracked (China, France, Germany, India, Italy and Spain) showed no movement from the previous month. In all countries measured, consumers are saving more of their money - even Americans, who have had a low savings rate, are holding onto their cash as concerns about unemployment and financial security continue.
For the latest Economic Current, Nielsen tracked online discussions about the economy and found that since mid-March 2009, recession buzz has dropped 47 percent in the U.S., UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
"Globally, Nielsen is tracking online discussions related to the recession and when the recovery may emerge. While discussions about the recovery are still quite low, we have seen that the public is talking less about the recession -- often dramatically less," said James Russo, Vice President, Global Consumer Insights for The Nielsen Company.
"In the U.S., we found that recession discussions have dropped since hitting a peak in January. There appears to be a strong correlation between what consumers are saying in discussion groups and their subsequent actual purchase behavior. From the end of 2008 to March 2009, when recession discussions were highest, we found that sales actually declined by 2.3 percent. From mid-March to early June, as recession chats dropped, we found that sales actually showed a modest increase," continued Russo. "This is an important dynamic as we look to signs of a sustained recovery, and Nielsen will be at the forefront of this research."
Download the latest Nielsen Economic Current.


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Routinely Itemised: RPGs is an RPG news round-up, and this week we look at the Candlekeep Mysteries reviews, DCC legacy, Savage Worlds finally appearing on Roll20 and free dice in the name of Cancer Awareness.
Routinely Itemised: RPGs is a regular RPG news summary which, this week, looks at D&D Beyond's founder joining a new gaming start-up, virtual virtual tabletops, an utter mess over at Kickstarter and a solved mess with The Palace of the Vampire Queen.
Routinely Itemised is a weekly RPG news round-up and this week Kickstarter's Zine Quest is a vast shape on the radar.
Fear is a fractal... and your world is a lie. A horror freed from an antique book reverberates through reality, shaking things, reordering them and making them run like wax.
Routinely Itemised is a weekly roundup of RPG news from Wizards of the Coast, Chaosium, Cubicle 7, R. Talsorian Games, PEG, Paizo and the industry.
The latest stats from Roll20, free RPG downloads, new releases, a host of reviews and a bunch of RPG news all presented at bullet point speed.
New product releases, all the Kickstarter news and a host of TTRPG news.
The Labyrinth was written by Delta Green co-creator John Scott Tynes and unveils new organisations, enemies and allies.
The 2020 ENnie Judges Spotlight winners and 2020's nominees have been announced.
Running just one game will get you $10 in credit at the Arc Dream store.


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Ad Roundup: Platforms to protect data, give answers
First, AnswerDash has been recognized for its innovation; the company has been named a “Cool Vendor’ by Gartner. The platform is a self-serve, contextual help platform for websites and web applications.
“Marketing and customer support have traditionally been worlds apart inside companies, but website users make no such distinctions,” said Jake Wobbrock, co-founder and chief scientist of AnswerDash. “Web visitors and app users simply want to achieve their goals online, and if they can’t do so easily, they’ll go elsewhere. Instant, contextual answers both increase sales and reduce customer support costs for online businesses.”
And GitLab has completed a $1.5 million seed funding round. GitLab is an open source code collaboration platform; the funding will be used in part to open a new San Francisco office. GitLab has more than 100,000 organization user and a community of more than 800,000.
Finally, Cloud-Clout has launched a cloud-powered data storage system. The platform encrypts and fragments user data across global servers, helping to protect user information while keeping that information accessible.
“Think of Cloud-Clout as your central storage of personal data on the internet that you can save and retrieve your digital assets from anywhere in the world from any internet enabled device,” said Eugene Shulha, founder, Cloud-Clout. “Users have the ability to access their data using any mobile device, laptop, desktop, and tablet. We put security first when we designed our solution and this is our biggest differentiator when compared to our competitors in the industry.”


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Because displaying your lingerie is much more modest than showing your face… 😆
Or could it be she wanted some Vitamin D?
“A Jordanian study published this week asserted that 87% of women between the ages of 18 and 70 in Jordan suffer from a lack of Vitamin D as a result of insufficient sun exposure and not enough milk consumption. “
Insufficient sun exposure? Wow, must be the burqas, niqabs or something. Oh, wait, Muslim women (all of them) have huge gardens where they can have some sun exposure (in the comments)…


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Christmas day has passed, but the celebrations haven’t stopped as the AST wrap-up has arrived!
Christmas has come early with this weeks edition of sports business! Click here to find out what the highest sold fight could be for 2020!
This week, DAZN announced its global launch over 200 territories. What more is left for the network to become the ‘The Netflix of Sports’?
Ibrahim Emsallak is a big deal in the Belgium boxing scene, being the director of the Flemish Boxing League. See what he has to stay about pursuing a career in sport.
DAZN edge closer to becoming the Netflix of Sports, Fan engagement can’t stop growing, the NBA explore mobile gaming and more!
MMA vs Boxing, the ongoing debate combat sports fans have been having for an eternity without a conclusion, until now…
This week, SportsProMedia released their 50 most marketable athlete’s list for 2020. What does this demonstrate for sports marketing?
Sports marketing has become a strategy to encourage diverse audiences to engage in the industry, like never before…
Fame MMA and YouTube boxing have diversified the traditional combat sports landscape through multiple methods; however, which one has had the most significant impact?
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury will undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights ever. But what’s the hold up for making it happen?


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MILAN • Ferrari's profit exceeded expectations as the Italian supercar manufacturer sold out most of its models for 2018 and a part of next year's models.
Chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne said the Italian company's production is almost at full capacity for this year and part of the next. There is still availability just for the GTC4 Lusso family car, he said, speaking on a call with analysts. "Everything else is pretty well gone," Mr Marchionne said.
Ferrari shares advanced as much as 6.6 per cent to a record €112.25 yesterday in Milan, giving the company a market value of €20.7 billion (S$31.9 billion).
The Maranello, Italy-based company, spun out of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, on Thursday had reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation jumped 13 per cent to €272 million in the first quarter. That beat the €262 million average of eight analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.
Mr Marchionne, who has also helmed Fiat for the past 14 years, is working on his final business plan for the race-car maker before he retires. The five-year strategy will be presented in September. It will include details for the iconic Italian brand's expansion into new segments, including sport utility vehicles and electric hybrid cars.
Ferrari is testing a petrol-electric hybrid car "you could run silently," Mr Marchionne said in an interview last month.
Surge in Ferrari's Q1 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation to €272 million.
While Ferrari has no plans to produce a fully-electric car before 2022, the company is developing vehicles that will show "the full power of electrification", Mr Marchionne told Bloomberg Television.
The shift comes as the manufacturer is targeting annual sales exceeding a self-imposed 10,000-car limit that until now has enabled it to operate under less-stringent fuel-economy rules.
Fuelling growth, Ferrari has flagged that profits will rise to at least €1.1 billion this year and to €2 billion by 2022.
Mr Marchionne said Ferrari is not considering buying another car brand and could in theory acquire non-auto brands in the luxury-goods sector.
Still there is no plan at the moment, he said.


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From America’s new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).
Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” from the year’s new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.
The award was presented to Ford executives by the Friends of the NAHC at their annual holiday reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at NAHC quarters in the Skillman Branch Library in downtown Detroit.
The NAHC is the world’s largest public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Its collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.
“We are delighted that the Ford Flex has been recognized by the NAHC as having a design that will become a collectible of the future,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager at Ford.
“We knew from the start that we had a vehicle with stand-out design that looks like nothing else on the road, but that also meets the needs of our customers looking for passenger space with innovative technology and great fuel economy,” she said. “Reaction from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they will enjoy their cars long into the future.”
Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said, “This selection is unique among all the ‘Vehicle of the Year’ awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year’s new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034.”
Previous winners are:
2008 Dodge Challenger
2007 Dodge Viper SRT10
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2005 Ford Mustang
2004 Chrysler 300
2003 Dodge Viper
2002 Ford Thunderbird
1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
1995 Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora
(None selected from 1997 to 2001)
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.


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Weekly car boot sales are set to return to Burnham’s BASC Ground from next weekend.
The popular events often attract hundreds of sellers and buyers – but did not go ahead last year due to the BASC Ground being busy for Covid vaccinations.
Organiser Paul Stewart says he is “delighted” that the weekly sales are restarting following many requests from local people.
“It’s great to be back in Burnham and we look forward to welcoming people to our weekly sales from Easter Saturday, April 16th, onwards.”
“The weekly car boot sales will run through the season to the end of September. We are also going to be holding the events on Bank Holiday Monday afternoons.”


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Headlines shocked the tech market on December 30th, with reports indicating a prominent & prolonged supplier of Apple has enforced the labour of Uighur Muslims from Xinjiang, China. It’s a despicable act that’s being denied by Apple & it’s subsequent supplier, Lens Technology. Reports issued to “The Verge” from Tech Transparency Project indicates otherwise & suggests enslavement camps in China are being used to benefit delayed manufacturing.
The Apple Company isn’t the exclusive corporation with prominent ties to Lens Technology. Tesla & Amazon have employed the Chinese firms’ services for years. Specialized glass seen with smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and numerous other devices are manufactured by Lens Technology. After manufacturing was delayed tenfold by Covid-19, this corporate entity illegally forced Uighur Works from enslavement-labour camps to increase production. Reports suggest that refusal has resulted in torture, sexual abuse, and death.
Investigations were sustained by the Tech Transparency Project, which located media reports & Chinese government records that undoubtedly proved Lens Technology has used thousands of Uighur Muslims from Xinjiang, China to work in their factories without any compensation. Living conditions for those enslaved employees hasn’t been details, with government records blacklisting any discussions pertaining to housing. If anything, similar to the Uighur enslavement camps in Xinjiang, hundreds of Uighur Muslims are likely being forced into unsanitary conditions. The available food is likely bread & water, nothing else.
CCP Continues to Lie
The Chinese Communist Party & Lens Technology knew government reports couldn’t be denied. Footage was released hours later to the international community, which shows “Lens Technology Uighur Employees” celebrating on Chinese National Day. Those individuals were dawning banners showcasing Xinjiang origin & pride. Reports from Uighurs that escaped enslavement notified the international community that education was being forced onto their Muslim brothers & sisters. This education included learning the Mandarin Language, while renouncing their Islam religion & love for the Chinese Communist Party. The CCP believe Chinese civilian should regard them as gods, not religious icons like Allah.
Restrictions from the Trump Administration haven’t stopped towards the end of Donald’s presidency, with Chinese corporations being informed they’re unable to purchase American-made products any longer. Multiple companies are blacklisted after POTUS implemented new tariffs regarding technology suppliers, eliminating Chinese companies from purchasing American-developed chipsets. Considering that 15% of total imports into China are chipsets from the United States, this tariff is unlike any other introduced under Trump’s leadership.
The Commerce Department Entity List added dozens of Chinese companies onto their blacklist, with “Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation” and “DJI” being added. Blacklisting SMIC will have long-standing implications onto the global technology market, with the company acquiring semiconductors made in the United States to power products like smartphones & tablets. Without semiconductors from America, China cannot continue development of their 5G Infrastructure by Huawei. Governments worldwide have worked diligently towards eliminating Huawei’s 5G Infrastructure, with evidence from the United Kingdom that China’s communist party was spying on foreign civilians via this 5G Infrastructure.
Corporations wanting to provide their products to SMIC must apply for specialized licenses, with “Presumption of Denial” being announced for all applicants. It means that most won’t receive commissions. Evidence indicates that semiconductors are being used for various military projects, including cybernetic attacks on North American & European services. Those include the electric grid & military network.
This isn’t the first problem to arrive for SMIC in December 2020. Several days before learning imports from America had been restricted, reports across Chinese State Media noted that CEO Liang Ming is resigning from his position. That brought prominent concerns for investors, with stock market valuations for SMIC dropping by substantial volumes in 24 hours. Technological ambitions for China have virtually been halted by introducing these restrictions & tariffs. It’ll become nearly impossible for Chinese corporations like SCIM to continue their technical projects until restrictions are lifted, which could be years. President-Elect Joe Biden hasn’t any plans to remove regulations implemented under the Trump Administration.
Hyundai has filed documents to recall thousands of vehicles. Confirmations were issued by the “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration” that three models under the Hyundai lineup have been identified. Those vehicles include the Veloster, Santa Fe, and Sonata. It’s become a prominent issue with Hyundai that models made between 2010 to 2020 have experience “Fire Risk Issues”. Multiple owners have contacted Hyundai in that timeframe to issue complaints regarding their engines failing & lighting into flames. Engineers with Hyundai have determined solutions behind the reoccurring issue, prompting the recall.
NHTSA Documents identified the models that could have engines fail. Details regarding engine failure were provided by Hyundai, noting that rod bearings can wear prematurely & prompt engines to move drastically inside the hood. Continued bashing against the hood enforces multiple problems for drivers, including the vehicle stalling unexpectedly on city roads & highways.
Reports indicate that oil pressure is lowered after rod bearing are worn down, which follows are those bearing puncture the engine & oil begins leaking. Higher temperatures under the hood and multiple ignition sources cause the rare instance of engines catching on fire. Most selecting Hyundai isn’t familiar with internal combustion associated with engines, meaning these issues are hard to locate unless the auto manufacturer recalls those models. Below are the designated vehicles meant for recall.
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe.
2011-2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
2015-2016 Hyundai Veloster.
The Positives & Negatives of Recalls
Hyundai Dealerships have informed known customers purchasing those models that the recall has been initiated. There are positives & negatives associated with providing a dealership with your vehicle. Recalls can benefit customers with the mentioned problem, meaning Hyundai owners with worn down rod bearings receive free-of-charge repairs. The negative associated with free repairs is the timeframe related to completion. Hyundai dealerships won’t likely return vehicles for months, with mechanics having to receive training & then locate the time needed to repair multiple cars.
There’s another benefit for drivers having their Hyundai’s recalled, with the auto manufacturer confirming that updated models will obtain the “Knock Sensor Detection System”. KSDS has defined recent Hyundai’s with improved safety measures.
Two pharmaceutical corporations announced in November that they’d established a reliable vaccination for Covid-19. September marked the date when Moderna & Pfizer began clinical trials, with results demonstrating that Covid-19 vaccine infections average 9% immunization from the coronavirus. Paperwork has been submitted Pfizer Pharmaceutical for emergency usage authorization, with the US Food & Drug Administration not providing them approval until FDA testing is completed. It’s anticipated that Moderna will file paperwork for emergency distribution before December 15th.
Healthcare professionals worldwide have praised Pfizer & Moderna Pharmaceutical, which worked alongside the American Government to accelerate development & testing for Covid vaccinations. Ten months was needed for these pharmaceutical corporations to design their Covid-19 vaccines. It’s prompted largescale concern throughout North America, with younger & older generations worried that rapid development of this virus will cause unintended side-effects. Polio’s vaccination caused small percentages of the population to become paralyzed. However, advanced technologies were employed to create Covid-19s vaccine & guarantee protection to largescale communities.
RNA vs mRNA Synthetic Messengers
There are two variations of vaccination development, the RNA & mRNA Synthetic Messengers. White-blood cells are tricked via molecules inside vaccinations, which enable proteins resistant to build for that respective virus. These proteins strengthen white-blood cells & stimulate immune systems to continuously protects vaccination-hosts from coronavirus. RNA Synthetic Messengers would make large percentages of the population sick, requiring the host first experience symptoms of that virus before building white-blood-cell protein & become immune to that virus. MNRA Synthetic Messengers stimulate immune systems without making the host sick.
This technology is pioneering new advancements in healthcare & has for a prolonged period. Data suggests that mRNA Synthetic Messenger’s are more effective than its predecessor. Statistics indicate that vaccines built via this platform can cure inherited diseases, cancer, allergies, and viral diseases. The RNA Synthetic Messenger permitted curs for exclusively viral infections.
Cells & Nucleus’s Explained
North America has witnessed a substantial decline in education, with most civilians unaware of the science behind vaccinations. Cells in our bodies act like “Protein Factories”, with each cell sustaining a nucleus. Scientists can alternate biological structures through the nucleus. That’s because this microscopic part of the body acts as an instruction manual for DNA. Through mRNA Synthetic Messengers, healthcare experts are better equipped with rewriting that instruction manual.
Individuals employed in the American healthcare sector will likely receive the Covid-19 vaccine by December 2020. This marks the fastest turnaround for vaccination manufacturing in history, with development beginning in March 2020. Nine months to develop a vaccine is astonishing but has prompted concerns for generational side affects. Improperly manufactured vaccines are known to create adverse side effects, with one such instance being the vaccination for polio in 1995, which caused paralysis in numerous children & few adults. It’d take fourteen years for scientists to design & manufacturer a reliable vaccine for polio, which still sustained horrendous side effects.
Large percentages of the population have expressed concern with administering the Covid-19 vaccination after learning this information. Ten months is drastically different than fifteen years. However, concerned citizens wanting to get vaccinated should understand that laboratory conditions & technologies have drastically changed since scientists began testing for the polio vaccine in 1936.
Healthcare worked throughout the United States likely have their rightful concerns regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, with those individuals sustaining extensive knowledge in the medical field. That hasn’t stopped Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company from applying for approval to enable healthcare works free vaccination by December 2020. It’s suspected that the “American Food & Drug Administration” won’t give immediate consent to Pfizer Pharmaceutical. The FDA will likely complete their respective tests to guarantee the 95% vaccination rating that Pfizer has announced is accurate. It should be clarified that both Pfizer & Moderna Pharmaceutical have confirmed their vaccinations for Covid-19 are completed.
FDA testing won’t take months, with the Health & Human Services Secretary of America confirming that advisement of Moderna & Pfizer’s vaccinations will take two weeks. An advisory committee of educated healthcare professionals is meeting in by December 5th to compile their findings. An objective mind will question how both these Pharmaceutical Corporations completed their record-breaking timeframes of ten months. Distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine will be sustained in phases. Those phases include:
Phase One – Distribution to Healthcare & Vulnerable Americans.
Phase Two – Distribution to Essential Workers, Teachers, and Homeless Civilians.
Phase Three – Distribution to Prison Inmates and Psychiatric Patients.
Phase Four – Distribution to American Men, Women, and Children.
Automation in the retail workspace has been a central goal for international corporations. It’d mean that employed personnel could be terminated, and operational costs could be lowered. Responses seen from consumers haven’t been positive & companies have begun reverting their decision on automation via retail robots. One large-scale corporation that’s removing their retail robots is Walmart, a prominent adopter of the technology.
The Walmart Company entered a partnership agreement with Bossa Nova Robotics in 2017, which saw retail robots deployed to multiple locations for inventory & shelving automation. Initially, this contract saw 50 locations adopt the technology, with an additional 450 locations adopting retail robots from 2017 to 2020.
Learning that Walmart has terminated its contract with Bossa Nova Robotics is surprising, with the firm confirming their expanding to an additional 1000 locations. When Walmart was questioned on why BNRs contract is being terminated, corporate representatives mentioned that data revealed humans could sustain this job. It’s a blatant excuse to avoid citing the Covid-19 Pandemic, with all corporations including Walmart, seeing financial losses since March 2020.
The Wall Street Journal revealed details regarding what prompted the Walmart Company into making this decision. It’s been reported by this viable source that Walmart has seen an increase in online shopping & determined that employed personnel at locations not supporting retail robots, had been sustaining their jobs since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Wall Street Journal reported Walmart is cancelling their contract with Bossa Nova Robotics to save corporate funds and create more jobs during the epidemic. It should be noted that Bossa Nova Robotics has experienced severe fallout from this announcement, with 50% of employed personnel being terminated. Operations for BNR has now been streamlined.
Media personnel at TechCrunch & the Wall Street Journal questioned Bossa Nova Robotics on Walmart’s decision prompting layoffs. A company spokesperson refused to confirm or deny if the retail conglomerate played an influential factor on their 50% decrease in staff. It’s unfortunate for Robotic experts working with BNS but beneficial for Walmart & furloughed civilians requiring temporary employment in America. Bossa Nova Robotics experts to recover via the long-term.
The stock market was shocked to learn that International Business Machines, more commonly known as IBM, is splitting into two corporations. It means that a corporation with more than 100+ years in its respective industry is changing tenfold over the coming years. Executives made this decision in hopes to create higher-margin businesses with a focus on artificial intelligence & cloud computing. Mid-2021 is revealing the official name and date of launch. After this announcing, shares for IBM grew by 6% in response to the stock markets shock & excitement.
Announcing that diversification of corporate services & assets is substantial for the technology computer. It marks the 1st significant computing firm for announcing their departure from standard business models. It’s expected that other companies will follow suit after profit margins for IBMs newest company is revealed at 2021 fiscal year-end. In response to this announcement, the chief executive officer of International Business Machines clarified that IBM has divested networking since the 1990s & followed suit with PCs in the 2000s. Their 3rd phase of networking revolved around cloud computing to artificial intelligence, which Arvind Krishna requires an upgrade of a separate corporation.
CEO Arvind Krishna was a prominent architect in acquiring “Red Hat Cloud Computer”, which cost IBM $34 Billion. It’s the largest acquisition that International Business Machines have accomplished in their 109-years of operation. Arvind clarified that purchasing Red Hat marked the first step towards their diversification of corporate services & assets. Announcing this new company means IBM will compete directly against Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services for cloud computing market share. It’ll be challenging for IBM to overtake these three tech conglomerates, who maintain millions of customers worldwide.
Transfer of Workforce
International Business Machines (IBM) has a workforce of 352+ thousand employees, with the separation of this employed personnel not being known. However, IBMs Arvind Krishna revealed that transferring a percentage of their workforce will cost $5 Billion. Details regarding the name of this corporation haven’t been announced, with most naming it NewCo. It’s known that IBM is encompassing its “Manager Infrastructure Services Division” into this new corporation. Additional details won’t be revealed for likely several months.
The demand for vehicles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been minimal, prompting multiple retailers to shut their doors & for largescale corporations to announce their lowest profits in decades. One company that’s avoided this issue is Tesla, who confirmed that they’d delivered more vehicles in Q3 2020 than any other quarter in their corporate history. The previous record of 112,000 Tesla cars was eliminated by 27,300 vehicles. That means Tesla delivered 139,300 vehicles throughout the third quarter of this month. It’s the most extensive sales figure seen for auto manufacturers in 2020.
Tesla clarified that 145+ thousand cars had been manufactured throughout the third quarter, enabling them to begin their overstock project. Creating an influx of their available models & having stock for future purchases will allow Tesla to dedicate itself towards lowering the cost of electric vehicles. That’ll be accomplished by creating exclusive renewable resources, mining for required materials needed for manufacturing, and innovating former technologies to become more cost-efficient. CEO Elon Musk hopes that via this plan, the cost of Tesla vehicles can become $25,000.00 to $30,000.00.
The Quarterly & Yearly Growth for Tesla
Tesla Incorporated has experienced three consecutive months of increased deliveries. The 1st quarter saw Tesla deliver more than 88+ thousand vehicles, with that number increasing by only two thousand in the 2nd quarter. It’d mark a notable increase during the 3rd quarter, which saw the 139+ thousand vehicles delivered. Tesla’s previous record of 112,000 cars provided was obtained during Q4 2020. Elon Musk’s workforce made an evident turnaround for profits in a short period, which most auto manufacturers haven’t accomplished throughout 2020.
When questioned on what their final delivery range could be for 2020, Tesla clarified that 500+ thousand vehicles would be shipped before the end of Q4. That’s a 36% increase over the previous maximum that’s been sent-out over one year. 2019 saw 318+ thousand Tesla vehicles shipped to buyers worldwide. With the level of growth that’s displayed by Elon Musk’s Tesla per year, it’s no wonder other auto manufacturers like Ford & Honda are working towards creating their electric equivalents. It’ll be nearly impossible for other manufacturers to compete against Tesla, with the company holding priority market share on electric vehicles.
The Government & Monarchy of Thailand is creating numerous enemies amid the consensus for their immediate removal. The latest enemy that Thailand’s Monarchy is targeting is social media. Thailand’s Government stated their prosecuting Twitter, Google, and Facebook for not removing illegal posts. When Gov Officials were questioned on what those illegal posts were, there was immediate refusal to provide evidence. All that was noted is after these social media platforms are prosecuted, the Thailand Government will target individual users to insulting the Monarchy.
Thailand Monarch Law often leads towards life-long prison sentences for civilians evoking their opinion. Those that speak against the Monarchy are considered traitors of the state and won’t be permitted freedom again. The Thailand Government announcing they’ll target a comprehensive social media platform, is the 1st in history worldwide. How Thailand will lawfully cite punishments onto Twitter & Facebook, with the inclusion of Google, isn’t known for law practitioners.
There have been extensive protests throughout Thailand, with the average civilians demanding political reform & real democracy throughout the regions. Monarch & Government leaders responded by sending social media platforms like Facebook with warnings to terminate all insults of the Monarchy. Facebook, Twitter, and Google haven’t complied with the request. These platforms inherently believe in the freedom of speech and have opposed multiple governments on that belief.
It should be mentioned that Thailand’s Government is creating cyber crime police for the prosecution of Facebook, Twitter, and Google. This means the laws weren’t officially in place, and that warning wouldn’t have to be obeyed legally. It also means Thailand is breaking international cyber treaties.
Under the latest legislation issued by the Thailand Government & Monarchy, social media corporations can be fined $5,780.00 per ignored post. Facebook itself hasn’t removed 436 posts relating to Thailand’s Monarchy, which means a fine valued at $2,520,080.00 can be issued towards the social media company. Facebook could always shutdown their services permanently in Thailand & refuse to pay, which would be the likely fallout.
It should be mentioned that the Thailand Monarchy & Government is working to eliminate genuine information regarding protests. Law enforcement from Thailand claimed that fifteen thousand arrived to dispute the Monarchy, with actual numbers from satellite footage revealing fifty thousand.
The United States of America has enemies worldwide, with communist regimes like Russia & China continually working towards destabilizing American society. Destabilization efforts became known during the 2016 Hilary Clinton & Donald Trump Election Campaign, which was hacked by the Russians & wouldn’t be revealed until years later. Government agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigations have worked alongside technology conglomerates, creating cybersecurity infrastructure that can recognize attempted attacks.
Microsoft provided their cybersecurity technology to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, prompting the company to announce on September 10th that they’ve located data which reveals Russian & Chinese hackers have implemented attacks towards the 2020 US Election. Iranian hackers have followed similar tactics, assisting their larger communist brothers. Shockingly, Microsoft has located these attempted attacks, with hackers becoming prominently better at covering their digital tracks. It’d take the FBI two years to determine that Russian hackers had leaked thousands of Hilary Clinton’s emails, prompting the Pizzagate Scandal & her inevitable loss to President Donald Trump.
Sophisticated online personas are created by these hackers, using a variety of digital tools to hide from national security agencies like the FBI and CIA. Microsoft with FBI assistance determined that Russian hackers are creating twenty IP Addresses per day, allowing for hidden backdoors that cybercriminals use to disassociate from their originating IP Address. Microsoft anticipates that Russia has 1,000 IP Addresses that are active today. China & Iran likely have access to those servers.
Destabilization of American Politics
Hackers from China enforced thousands of cyber attacks against the Joe Biden Presidential Campaign, working towards collecting information that could use to against Donald Trumps 2020 rival. Russia & China have actively worked to keep President Trump in office, with his bullish behaviour often benefiting their international goals over America’s. Joe Biden becoming America’s 46th President would stop Russia and China from accomplishing those Anti-Democratic goals.
There’s evidence that Russia, China, and Iran, have been working to destabilize politics in America. There’s evidence that shows Iranian Hackers have made 2700 attacks towards President Donald Trump, while also completing 500+ known attacks onto Presidential Elect Joe Biden.


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