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Exposing the vulnerabilities of smart homes
Can we trust that smart home devices are safely handling and protecting the sensitive data they have access to? An international team of researchers has investigated this issue, unearthing previously undisclosed security and privacy concerns that have real-world implications.
Smart homes are becoming increasingly interconnected, comprising an array of consumer-oriented Internet of Things (IoT) devices ranging from smartphones and smart TVs to virtual assistants and CCTV cameras. These devices have cameras, microphones and other ways of sensing what is happening in our most private spaces — our homes.
Led by IMDEA Networks and Northeastern University in collaboration with NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), IMDEA Software, the University of Calgary and the International Computer Science Institute, the research team looked into the intricacies of local network interactions between 93 IoT devices and mobile apps. Their study, titled ‘In the Room Where It Happens: Characterizing Local Communication and Threats in Smart Homes’, was presented at the ACM Internet Measurement Conference (ACM IMC’23) in Montreal, Canada.
“When we think of what happens between the walls of our homes, we think of it as a trusted, private place. In reality, we find that smart devices in our homes are piercing that veil of trust and privacy — in ways that allow nearly any company to learn what devices are in your home, to know when you are home, and learn where your home is,” said David Choffnes, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute at Northeastern University.
“These behaviours are generally not disclosed to consumers, and there is a need for better protections in the home.”
The study’s findings illuminated new threats associated with the inadvertent exposure of sensitive data by IoT devices within local networks using standard protocols such as UPnP or mDNS. These threats include the exposure of unique device names, universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) and even household geolocation data, all of which can be harvested by companies involved in surveillance capitalism without user awareness.
According to Vijay Prakash, a PhD student from NYU Tandon who co-authored the paper, the team found evidence of IoT devices inadvertently exposing at least one piece of PII (personally identifiable information), such as a unique hardware address (MAC), UUID or unique device name, in thousands of real-world smart homes. Any single PII is useful for identifying a household, but combining three of them together makes a house very unique and easily identifiable, Prakash said.
“For comparison, if a person is fingerprinted using the simplest browser fingerprinting technique, they are as unique as one in 1500 people. If a smart home with all three types of identifiers is fingerprinted, it is as unique as one in 1.12 million smart homes,” Prakash said.
These local network protocols can be employed as side channels to access data that is supposedly protected by several mobile app permissions, such as household locations.
“A side channel is a sneaky way of indirectly accessing sensitive data. For example, Android app developers are supposed to request and obtain users’ consent to access data like geolocation. However, we have shown that certain spyware apps and advertising companies do abuse local network protocols to silently access such sensitive information without any user awareness. All they have to do is kindly ask for it [from] other IoT devices deployed in the local network using standard protocols like UPnP,” said Narseo Vallina-Rodriguez, Associate Research Professor of IMDEA Networks and co-founder of AppCensus.
“Our study shows that the local network protocols used by IoT devices are not sufficiently protected and expose sensitive information about the home and the use we make of the devices. This information is being collected in an opaque way and makes it easier to create profiles of our habits or socioeconomic level,” added Juan Tapiador, Professor at UC3M.
The impact of the research extends far beyond academia. The team’s findings underscore the imperative for manufacturers, software developers, IoT and mobile platform operators, and policymakers to take action to enhance the privacy and security guarantees of smart home devices and households. The research team responsibly disclosed these issues to vulnerable IoT device vendors and to Google’s Android Security Team, already triggering security improvements in some of these products.
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Image: original Scot-NHS/re-egineered by @tibettruth
The world’s insatiable appetite for PPE as a stated precaution against infection from viruses has lead to a range of issues, not least the environmental impact of untold numbers of discarded masks. The panic (or calculation) of governments to shroud their health-workers and general citizenry in masks, gowns and gloves has also made a number of businesses very, very rich. Including some based in China (where as the world knows very well, employment and human rights are non-existent).
Image: original cloudfront.net/augmented by @tibettruth
But those realities have not prevented countries such as the United Kingdom from engaging in a number of shadowy deals to procure medical equipment, that often times has proved to be dangerously ineffective and required withdrawal, so much for cautious management of public expenditure! We see a report today from, ‘The New European’ (an English online journal) that the British have paid the equivalent of $125 million to a Chinese corporation that uses a hotel room in downtown Beijing as its offices!
The Beijing Union Glory Investment Company, like many such corporations operates closely with, and no doubt invested by the Chinese regime. An authority that inflicts genocidal policies against the Tibetan and Uyghur peoples. Such however is the crazed momentum for PPE the British Department for Health (with the knowledge and support of England’s version of the State Department) ignored entirely the harrowing misery suffered across Tibet and East Turkistan. Yet in only January this year the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dominic Raab announced in Parliament that UK companies would face fines if they could not show that their products or supply chains were free from any association with forced labor in so-called Xinjiang.
Image: original courthousenews/augmented by @tibettruth
It is, of course, a matter of fact that the region is a huge producer of cotton and it has become increasingly apparent and well documented that slave-labor is used in that production.Which returns us to the subject of medical protective clothing and equipment. Did the British not realize that a major component used in the manufacturing of such products is cotton? Surely either Matt Hancock or Dominic Raab stop to consider where the source of a government backed Chinese company would source their materials from when producing PPE items? Maybe they asked the Chinese where the cotton used in such items was from? If so they would take credulity to a whole new level if believing any refutation that the cotton content was not from the very region cited by the UK authorities for housing forced-labor camps!
Image: original ce.cn/augmented by @tibettruth
We hope any of our UK friends and readers will seek a freedom-of-information disclose from the British ministries of health and foreign affairs on this issue. As it stands the government in Britain looks to be in violation of its own foreign and trading policies with respect to the importation of goods linked to forced labor. Is this how the British seek to tackle human rights abuses in so-called Xinjiang?
Of course in truth it doesn’t give a damn about the condition of Uyghurs enslaved and exploited to produce and process cotton, most likely a core component of the PPE bought by the UK government. Nor is it troubled that its people will be wearing equipment made in the traumatizing misery of China’s concentration camps.

domain: news


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India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2018 began on a grand-scale at Aero City, New Delhi with over 300 companies, 20 countries participating in this prestigious event in the Asia Pacific region. Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications and Minister of State for Railways, accompanied by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice, Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing & Urban Affairs, Ministers and dignitaries from Cambodia, European Union, Lao-PDR, Myanmar, Mauritius, Nepal, South Africa inaugurated and participated in this 2nd edition of the epoch marking event, which began in 2017 to build a collaboration platform for technologies and services in next generation mobile communications. The inauguration ceremony was attended by over 5,000 people from 10 partner countries, and included policy makers, ambassadors, opinion makers, change agents, bureaucrats and investors.
Manoj Sinha, announced that the Indian telecom industry will rollout one million WiFi hotspots in the country by December 2019, which is another step towards the digital empowerment of the nation. Bharat Wi-Fi, a country-wide common inter-operable platform of one million wi-fi hotspots, owned and operated by Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers and Virtual Network Operators will be rolled out across the country. This initiative allows consumers to access wi-fi hotspots of any of the partnering operators.
The National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018 (NFAP) was unveiled during the inauguration presenting a pioneering roadmap for the Indian digital communications industry. The NFAP released a quantum of 605 MHz license exempt spectrum in 5GHz band for Wireless Access Services and Radio Local Area Networks in outdoor, to meet the ever-growing appetite for data (from a current figure of 50 MHz since 2007). The NFAP also offered over 30 license exempt bands for Short Range Devices (SRDs), Ultra-Wideband Devices (UWDs) and additional spectrum for M2M services, creating opportunities for the public to enjoy benefits from technologies and enabling the industry to build domestic manufacturing ecosystem. India signalled its spectrum plans for 5G services aspiring to adopt the next generation technology as a leading market.
In a major policy initiative, which will give impetus to small and medium entrepreneurship in Telecom Sector, DoT decided to deduct payments for resources taken by Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) from telecom service providers, thereby reducing levies payable by VNOs. This avoids double taxation at various stages.
A concrete plan is in making by the DoT to enable homegrown technologies for trials in the field on a large scale to enable the development and the scaling up of the products and services.
The day 1 has witnessed many rousing announcements by the industry and demos of the state of the art 5G applications by global OEMs. Investments of approximately over Rs 2,000 crores and over 3 lakh jobs are expected to be created.
Speaking at the inauguration, Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications and Minister of State for Railways said, “Introducing the second edition of the India Mobile Congress is a proud moment for us. Last year, we witnessed an overwhelming response from everyone and we are confident that IMC 2018 will reach to the next level of success. The country is at the cusp of a digital revolution, with disruptions happening in each and every sector and industry. With growing smartphone and internet penetration and with the finalisation of National Digital Communication Policy 2018, these are exciting times for the telecom sector, and the society at large. We are elated to have the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in addition to such enthusiastic participation from who’s who of the industry. IMC 2018, will not only attract investors, it will also witness the launch of several innovative products, encourage emerging startups, and promote futuristic technologies, thereby, paving the path to accomplishing Prime Minister’s vision of a digitally connected India.”
The event will showcase a Digital Village, complete with live experience zones, exhibits on interactive technology, and live demonstration booths on a variety of interesting concepts, hinged around the Internet of Things, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Smart City Solutions, Fintech, Health-tech, Autonomous Cars, and Cyber Security, amongst others.


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Check out the deals available at Target for Black Friday!
Save the Day with the Justice League!
Leaked ad reveals details about COD: Ghosts.
The Walking Dead has gone mainstream, and now we see that more than ever with Target selling the popular graphic novel in store.
Target released information on their upcoming Black Friday deals related to the PS3, XBox 360 and Nintendo.
Target will kick off a four day sale event that will help guests save money and get a jump-start on holiday shopping.
Target revealed a few of their 2012 Black Friday deals, including a PS3 bundle for less than a couple hundred bucks.
The Little Avengers assemble at your local Target to show off some of the Hasbro toys!
Get out early on Black Friday to grab a piece of the pie like the one you missed on Thanksgiving!
Target offers up some deals of their own for Black Friday, as well as some controversy on the early opening.


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The Swiftype Python SDK by Swiftype allows to interact with the API to access search data. Resources include indexing and autocomplete. Documentation explains how to configure a search and retrieve engines.
Discover has just become the first major credit card issuer to use the new Google "Save to Wallet" API for Payment Cards. Cardholders now have the ability to save cards to Google Wallet via the Discover account member benefits center.
Ducksboard, a real-time data monitoring and visualization platform, will be adding new services to the widgets directory and extending existing services in a matter of weeks. The new integrations will include LinkedIn, Flurry, Realtime Google Analytics and Trello. The company is also working on a brand new interface and are planning a closed beta the first quarter of 2014. The Ducksboard platform features the Ducksboard API which allows developers to send their own data, retrieve data stored, and manipulate all objects found in Ducksboard.
Email is one of the oldest mediums of communication on the Internet, and, for many companies, it's still one of the most important. Delivering email and tracking email campaigns reliably is crucial to success for countless businesses today.


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While nearly all industries were impacted by the pandemic, one that’s often overlooked is the wide world of beauty. In the blink of an eye, many professionals went from rocking a daily glam look to rolling out of bed and dialing into a Zoom meeting, makeup-free. This resulted in fewer people rushing to stock up on products and a significant shift in makeup artists’ bookings. As with everything, though, new trends emerged based on current events. In fact, a report from Nosto found that 33 percent of people spend more time applying eye make-up when they’re going to be wearing a mask, while 40 percent put on make-up if they know they will be on a video call, and 34 percent spend more time on their skincare thanks to mask-wearing, too.
Here, we spoke to makeup artists to discuss how the pandemic impacted current beauty trends:
New attention to personal skincare
Generally speaking, most people are wearing less makeup than they did before — and for good reason. We’re no longer attending one happy hour after another, we have few brunch dates with pals, and work meetings are reserved for the digital sphere and not the boardroom. We’ve had an opportunity to really focus on our skincare habits, according to beauty expert Savannah St. Jean.
After all, ‘maskne’ was a real threat at the start of quarantine, and it led many to focus on giving their skin the TLC it needs. “We don’t feel the need to put much foundation and concealer on the areas of our face that will be covered with a mask, and we can focus on skincare to enhance and show off that fresh, healthy skin we work so hard to maintain,” she explains.
To get a dewy, fresh appearance, St. Jean recommends paying attention to your skin’s needs and investing in a skincare regime, in addition to regular visits to a trusted dermatologist or aesthetician who can assess your conditions.
The brows have it
Now, only half your face is showing most of the time, which has made your brows the star of the show, according to makeup artist and beauty educator Alexandra Dale. To achieve better balance while wearing a mask, she suggests adding a crisp, more-defined line to the arch and tail of your brow. “Makeup wearers who just pull tinted brow gel through their brows or slap on a bit of brow powder should up their game and add a little more structure to their eyebrows,” she explains. “You can use a brow pen or a sculpting brow pencil to give more oomph to the shape of their eyebrows.”
An uptick in eyelash extension interest
Much like brows, eyelashes are becoming more of a priority during the pandemic, too. While St. Jean says they’ve been popular for a while, she’s seen a surge in interest since our eyes play a larger role than ever. “Our eyes are now one of the key features left for us to work with when it comes to our makeup,” she shares. “Eyelash extensions open and brighten the eyes, and give you the ability to wear even less makeup, all while looking amazing.” She recommended finding and booking an eyelash extension technician who will be able to customize your lashes for your individual eye shape. For your first session, she says it’s best to visit in person, and then ask the expert on how to do it at home if you’d like.
Splurging on mascara
With our eyes taking center stage thanks to mask-wearing and endless Zoom calls, people are paying more attention to this part of their face. And, a luxury lash definer does make a difference, Dale affirms. “It’s definitely worth it, and you’ll see the difference a designer mascara makes to the length, volume and longevity of your lashes,” she continues. “Mascara is still a go-to product to dress up your face whether you’re out-and-about wearing a mask or staying at home and socializing virtually. If you have a little cushion in your cosmetic budget, splurge on a luxury mascara.”
Men are interested in makeup, too
As Zoom has become the norm for business meetings during the pandemic, makeup has become of interest, not just for women — but for the guys, too, according to makeup artist Geoffrey Rodriguez. “More men are resorting to using concealer, tinted moisturizer, bronzer as well as a powder in order to look more camera-ready,” he explains. “Being on Zoom allows us to learn the perfect balance to achieve a realistic, professional look as we can see ourselves on camera.”
Liquid lipstick is here to stay
Charlie Riddle, the editorial director of makeup for Stila Cosmetics, says liquid lipstick has become a more popular purchase during the pandemic. How come? You can wear it in the morning for your Zoom catch-up meeting, grab a mask for your lunch-time walk, and come back, and it won’t smudge. This allows you not to worry about messing up your mask or about reapplying since most formulas long-lasting. “You can still wear a classic red for holiday or berry tones and not have to worry about it being smeared all over your must-have mandatory accessory,” he adds.
Creamy eyeshadows are a new go-to
Dale says creamy eyeshadows are a trend from the pandemic since they create a fantastic impact on our eyes with minimal effort. Dale says to think of a creamy formula as a primer and shadow in one. “This type of product can be quickly applied with fingers, to brighten up your lid or add some depth, depending on the color you use,” she explains. “Dress up your lids with a swipe of cream shadow, blending from the lash line to the crease of the eye and let dry for 30 seconds. Your cream eyeshadow will stay put all day and cover up any lid discoloration or veins, making the eye appear awake and fresh.”
We only recommend products we have independently researched, tested, and loved. If you purchase a product found through our links, Sunday Edit may earn an affiliate commission.


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29th September, 2015, Hyderabad – Panasonic Welding Systems in association with CII - Confederation of Indian Industry and JICA - Japan International Cooperation Agency, today organized a technical seminar and workshop at Taj Deccan Hotel with an objective of promoting High Precision Arc Welding Technology in India. The seminar served as an opportunity to promote welding technology which remains the most critical for industrial sectors required to assure long-term reliability across applications such as Fabrication of Building, Bridges, Process Plant Equipment, Manufacturing of Automobiles, Railways, Ships etc.
Some of the key dignitaries present at the occasion were Mr. D.S.P. Rao, Vice President, Tecumseh Products India P. Ltd, Mr. Toshi Takahashi, Managing Director, Panasonic Welding Systems India and Mr. Sougata Choudhury, Director - Skills, CII. The seminar served as a platform to promote Japan’s latest high-precision welding technology in India. The eminent faculty included Prof. Amitava De from IIT Bombay, who delivered a valuable lecture on productivity improvement with the use of latest welding equipment & processes, and Mr. Masaharu Sato from Japan Welding Engineering Society who covered topics including the importance of welding quality control, certification systems as practiced in Japan. With an aim to support ‘Make in India’ vision, this initiative is expected to foster the growth of personnel engaged in the manufacturing sector, Welders and Welding Technologists in particular.
Expressing his views on the occasion, Mr. Takahashi, said, “This initiative by Panasonic Welding Systems supports the government’s vision of raising India’s share of GDP from an existing 16% to 25% by the year 2022.” Stressing the need for advanced Technology infusion along with Skill development he added “Application of advanced intelligent welding machines which synergise with the Skill of Welders to achieve superior Quality Welds with higher productivity, as being the next big thing of the future for Indian industry”.
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates 468 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.715 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2015.
To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/
About Panasonic India
Panasonic makes available in India its wide range of consumer electronics products and system solutions.
Panasonic Welding Systems India is a part of Panasonic India, involved in manufacturing and making available, the latest technology arc welding machines and robot in India.
For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand in India, please visithttp://panasonic.co.in.


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According to reports, the price of color diamonds has increased. The prices of diamonds used to be stable, but now they are more volatile. The decline in the structure of the diamond industry is the reason for this.
- Are diamonds worth more now than 20 years ago?
- Are diamond prices increasing?
- Do diamonds increase in value over time?
- Why diamond has no resale value?
- Which has more resale value diamond or gold?
- Which diamond Cut holds its value?
- Are diamonds a good investment?
- How has the price of diamonds changed over time?
- Will diamond price increase in 2021?
- Will diamond prices go down in 2022?
- Do old diamonds turn yellow?
- Do diamonds lose their sparkle?
- Is it easy to sell diamonds?
- Do diamonds get cloudy?
- What is the markup on diamonds?
- Which is better gold or diamond?
- Do diamond prices fluctuate during year?
- What’s more valuable than a diamond?
- What is better than having a diamond?
- What’s the cheapest diamond you can buy?
- What is the least popular diamond shape?
- Has the price of diamonds gone up since 2015?
- How much do diamonds increase in value each year?
- Will diamond prices go up in 2022?
- Are diamonds in high demand?
- Why are diamonds so expensive right now?
Are diamonds worth more now than 20 years ago?
The average diamond price has gone up over the last 50 years. The true value of a diamond is very small because of the cumulative inflation of more than 70% over the same time period.
Are diamond prices increasing?
Diamonds are priced per unit of weight, which is referred to as “per carats.” In March, diamond prices went up by an average of 0.8%. The average price per diamond in our database increased from a month ago.
Do diamonds increase in value over time?
Diamonds do not offer short-term results. The price of diamonds can change from time to time. People end up paying too much. The first rule of investing is to buy and sell at the same time.
Why diamond has no resale value?
The wholesale rate is secured by the fact that they buy bulk diamond pieces. They will get more products at a lower cost, but they will also have to pay more for them. When a diamond is purchased from the manufacturer, it is finished in terms of cut, clarity, colour, and carats.
Which has more resale value diamond or gold?
Diamonds can have a higher resale price even though gold has power in terms of inflation.
Which diamond Cut holds its value?
Since a round diamond is thought to hold the most value when compared to the other shapes, it will almost always be given a higher price.
Are diamonds a good investment?
Is it a good idea to invest in diamonds? On the surface, diamonds are a good investment. They have high intrinsic value, they’re always in demand, and they’re small, portable and easy to store.
How has the price of diamonds changed over time?
The diamond prices tracked by the index are different from the actual prices. Since 1960, the price of diamonds has increased by about 14 percent a year. Future performance is not guaranteed by past performance.
Will diamond price increase in 2021?
The world’s second largest market saw an increase in diamond jewelry sales over the course of two years.
Will diamond prices go down in 2022?
After a peak in the warmer months, prices will start to fall just in time for holiday shopping. Lab-grown stones are the exception to the rising prices of diamonds. Lab-grown diamond prices are going to continue to fall.
Do old diamonds turn yellow?
A series of chemical reactions take place deep in the earth. It’s not possible to change the makeup of a diamond over time. Diamonds do not yellow as you get older.
Do diamonds lose their sparkle?
Diamonds tend to get dirty, even though they don’t lose their sparkle. Don’t forget to clean your ring regularly. If you want your diamond to be nice and shiny, you need to clean it at least once a week with a mixture of water and dish soap.
Is it easy to sell diamonds?
It can be difficult to sell a diamond, even if the timing is right. Resale prices for diamonds have no one objective measure, making it easy for inexperienced sellers to get confused and overwhelmed.
Do diamonds get cloudy?
There are a lot of reasons why your diamond is cloudy. The experts don’t see specific diamonds. The diamond’s internal structure is what makes it cloudiness. We don’t reverse the effect of a hazy appearance very often.
What is the markup on diamonds?
The end consumer is paying close to a true wholesale price for a Lumera diamond, which is less than 9%, because the average mark up is less than that. This is better than a traditional jeweler, which can mark a diamond up to 100%.
Which is better gold or diamond?
In some parts of the world, gold is seen as a form of currency, while diamonds are not. It is possible that gold is worth more than diamonds. Diamonds have a better resale value, which makes them more valuable.
Do diamond prices fluctuate during year?
The price of a diamond has gone up by an average of 4% every year over the past 8 years according to surveys. The prices of diamonds go up and down each year. The process could change by as much as seven percent.
What’s more valuable than a diamond?
Green-blue-colored emeralds are more expensive than diamonds because they are rare. The Rockefeller Emerald sold for over $5 million last year.
What is better than having a diamond?
Moissanite is found in the United States. moissanite is a diamond alternative that offers a very attractive price point with almost the same beauty as a diamond. Your friends won’t know the difference between moissanite and diamond because an expert can’t tell.
What’s the cheapest diamond you can buy?
What is the most affordable diamond cut? The emerald is the least expensive. When these diamonds are cut off of the rough stone, there is less waste since they are step-cut.
What is the least popular diamond shape?
Princess cuts have a lower price than rounds because of less waste. Ovals and cushions are not as expensive as they used to be. marquise, trillion, and pear are less popular than others, so they are more affordable.
Has the price of diamonds gone up since 2015?
In 1960, the average price for a diamond was around 2,700 dollars. In 2015, the diamond price was 29, 650 U.S. dollars, a tenfold increase from the year before.
How much do diamonds increase in value each year?
Over the past decade, the price of natural blue diamonds has risen between 12 and 17 percent each year. The profit you make on the rare diamonds is dependent on where you buy them and who you buy them from.
Will diamond prices go up in 2022?
According to the index, natural rough diamond prices increased by over 30% in 2011. In the second week of February, prices are up by 5%.
Are diamonds in high demand?
The value went up by nearly double after polishing. The global diamond jewelry market value was more than 80 billion U.S. dollars. The United States is home to almost half of the world’s demand for polished diamonds.
Why are diamonds so expensive right now?
Strong demand for jewelry in the U.S. and China has led to a rise in prices.


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It would be good if you take the prepping stage seriously.
Indonesian tabloid Otomotif awarded the Mitsubishi Xpander with Car of the Year award.
Hyundai surprises everyone at the 2018 Manila International Auto Show with the 2nd-generation Veloster.
Nissan introduced two new engines; one is a variable compression turbo (VC-T) mill that "runs on demand".
Motor Image Pilipinas displayed the new BRZ 2.0 at the 2018 MIAS alongside the all-new Outback and EyeSight tech.
Isuzu shows how a number 1 truck brand builds its trucks.
Chevrolet updated its lineup for 2019 and here's why you need to watch out for it.
All the years paid off – now, onto their journey to adulthood.
Here’s Chevrolet’s lineup at the 2018 Manila International Auto Show.
We now got medium-duty trucks fresh from Russia, thanks to Gazelle Motors Philippines.
Why not make it a habit to double-check everything before leaving your car in the parking lot?
Maserati installed a 3.8L twin turbo V8 under the hood of the Levante and dubbed it as Levante Trofeo.
More students from public high schools will be helped in the years to come, thanks to Caltex.
Fifty drivers will head out to the track for yet another glorious season of the Vios Cup.
Here's a list of important hotline numbers that would be useful when you encounter problems along the country's expressways.
JAC Motors had such an entrance in the local market with the launch of its updated lineup.
Toyota thought it could own the going-green game by fusing ethanol-based hybrid system.
Nissan ProPILOT grants you a hassle-free parking with a push of a button.
Think V12's too big for you? Aston Martin puts out a Philippine-spec V8 DB11.
Ford releases green hue for the Mustang just in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Subaru said that it will officially debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
MMPC, DENR, and PENRO work together to protect our planet.
Ford has tons of surprises in store for us and it releases an album of teasers to excite customers.
Lexus now holds a Boat of the Year award under its belt.
You may now travel seamlessly from the south to the north, with the cost of having both Autosweep and Easytrip accounts.
Get intrigued by this Rav4 teaser photo from Toyota before it heads out to the New York International Auto Show later this month.
The rotary engine will be a range extender for an electric car – not the normal size that we expected.
McLaren's new 3-seat Hyper-GT will let you bring 2 friends with you on the race track – if you wish.
The new plant will have a 300,000-unit production capacity, all in all.
Hyundai showcases its Le Fil Rouge concept at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show.
The Department of Transportation expounds the PUV Modernization Program.
Two things may happen when you fall asleep while driving: Waking up in a coma, and not waking up at all.
It’s confirmed – the Vmotion Concept is Nissan Altima’s face for its sixth-generation model.
This year, Maserati Philippines is updating its lineup in one bulk launch of refined models.
It's a new age of riding for Harley-Davidson.
Gazelle Motors Corporation foresees the Gazelle Next as the next face of UV Express in the country.
Lexus will unveil the UX compact crossover this March.
It's a midsize bus that's easily maneuverable on the challenging roads of the Philippines.
Shell conducts its largest driving experiment to understand the journey of drivers around the world.
Torn whether you should install a dash cam or not? Watch these epic videos and you’ll be torn no more.
Eastern Petroleum earned rights to distribute Gazelle Next line through partnership with GAZ Group.
Do you want to be the first to know about the latest automotive deals? Just subscribe with your email address and we’ll send you alerts on the most incredible deals as they happen.
Here's Kia's way to treat your family and your car.
Porsche is unleashing the 520-hp 2018 911 GT3 RS in Geneva this March.
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. starts the year small with humble sales growth.
India is lucky enough to get a diesel variant of the tenth-generation Honda Civic for 2018.
Mercedes-Benz’s 2019 C-Class is more than just a facelift.
The time for a second-generation X4 has come – BMW introduces the 2019 model of the Sports Activity Coupe.
It’s official despite Toyota being dubbed a founding partner of IOC.
Mitsubishi looks forward to an even better 2018 with the Xpander's release in the Philippine market.
There's now an official service center for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in the Philippines.


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Monzo’s chief credit officer Tim Trailor used the Credit Summit to reveal the lender’s ambitious plans to launch mortgages, loans, products for businesses and ways to help consumers rebuild their credit scores
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Rudeness or tardiness may be the parameters by which users may have critiqued drivers in the past, but now riders too may breach the code of civility which may be subject to penalty.
Even as Uber and Ola have made owning a car an almost non-necessity, a marketplace solely for on demand driver services is slowly catching on
Industry experts said Uber’s association with Maruti Suzuki could lead to deeper ties going ahead.
Bengaluru will be the first city to get the update in the coming weeks, and it will be rolled out to other cities gradually.
The avowed dissenter against cash incentives believes owning a house has been the tallest peak to scale for cab drivers. “I want my drivers to get rich,” he said.
The Indian government will ensure that the time for obtaining a commercial driving licence is reduced to not more than three months from about a year at present.
DCW today issued notice to five app-based taxi services including Ola and Uber seeking to know the number of taxis which operate under their banner in the national capital.
Drivers believe there is still some distance to go before a sustainable partnership is built
Hiring a driver just got economical and convenient with a clutch of startups aggregating drivers on demand and making them available within 45 minutes from the time of booking.
While the driver app normally shows the map of the city, including a honeycomb map of where prices are surging, the company is adding new gas icons.


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The Norwegian Sky hosts a Cougar Bahamas Cruise this year
In the Chinese calendar, 2010 may be the Year of the Tiger. For the cruise calendar, however, 2010 may as well be the Year of the Cougar. After the first-ever international cougar cruise set sail late in 2009, the sexy trend continues to make waves throughout the travel industry in the New Year. For starters, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that it would no longer offer the niche vacation, despite popular demand. But Royal Caribbean was right there to pick it up after it was dropped off at port.
Carnival is not the only one shying away from the taboo topic. Australia does not appear interested in welcoming cruises for cougars and their cubbies either. “After the tremendous success of the world’s first International Cougar Cruise, we were excited about bringing this concept to Australia," said Rich Gosse, executive producer of www.cougarevents.com and chairman of The Society of Single Professionals. "We are shocked that all three major cruise lines in Australia have rejected our request for an Australian Cougar Cruise. If there had been problems on the first Cougar Cruise, we would understand being banned. But hundreds of our cougars and cubs onboard were well-behaved, and there were absolutely no problems. Alas, there won’t be an Australian Cougar Cruise, unless a willing cruise operator can be found."
Australia may not be biting but, according to Gosse, that won't stop business from soaring, er, sailing. “2010 will see two more [cougar cruises], on the East Coast and West Coast of the U.S.," Gosse said.
The Cougar Mexican Riveira Cruise takes place May 16-23, and departs from Los Angeles aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
The Cougar Bahamas Cruise takes place December 3-6, and departs Miami aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Norwegian Sky, which visits Nassau, Bahamas and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island.
Guests of honor on one or the other of the two cruises will be: Miss Cougar Las Vegas, who won a free berth on January 22 at the Las Vegas Cougar Convention at The Tropicana Hotel; The Cutest Cub in America, who will win a free berth on January 30 at the National Cub Convention at The Clarion Hotel San Francisco Airport; Miss Cougar America 2010, who will win a free berth this at the National Cougar Convention in Chicago this spring; Miss Cougar Canada, who will win a free berth this spring at the Canadian Cougar Convention in Toronto.
Before its denial from entry, the Australian Cougar Cruise was scheduled for later this spring.


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Kim Kardashian’s clothing line, Skims, has just announced a huge multiyear partnership with the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball as the official underwear partner. This ground-breaking partnership will be promoted in a variety of ways, including on-court virtual signage during national broadcasts, the leagues’ social and digital platforms, and of course, at marquee events.
Combining the best of today’s popular culture
After successfully expanding into men’s fashion, Skims is now making a name for itself in the world of professional sports. The partnership between Skims and the NBA is being hailed as a watershed moment because of how seamlessly it merges the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and sports. Marketers are increasingly interested in capitalizing on this convergence of consumer touchpoints.
As one of the most culturally significant brands, Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA, is thrilled by the partnership. According to him, “We look forward to bringing NBA fans and Skims users unique experiences, new offerings, and premium products through our partnership” .
Exposure at the Highest Level of Sporting Events
Skims will have a significant presence at a number of major sporting events over the course of the multiyear agreement. The NBA All-Star Game, NBA In-Season Tournament, WNBA All-Star Game, and USA Basketball Domestic Exhibition Tour are all places where fans can see Skims featured.
Digital Integration and On-Court Virtual Billboards
The relationship between Skims and the NBA and WNBA is more than just a sponsorhip. Millions of people will be exposed to the brand as they watch the games thanks to the virtual signage displayed on the court. Moreover, Skims will interact with fans and consumers through the power of social media and digital platforms to produce an unprecedented level of immersion.
A Watershed Moment for Men’s Clothing: Skims
The introduction of menswear by Skims is a major step forward for the company. Skims saw an opportunity to meet a growing demand when it realized that men made up more than 10% of its existing customer base. There was a massive advertising campaign for the release of Skims Men called “Every Body is Wearing Skims,” and it featured famous athletes from basketball, football, and soccer.
Kim Kardashian, Skims’ creative director, recently spoke positively about the company’s transition into menswear. According to her, “The expansion into the menswear space is a major milestone for the brand, and a testament to Skims’ commitment to providing solutions for everybody”.
Skims’ Incredible Development and Market Value
Skims has seen exponential growth and success since its 2019 inception. Following a successful Series C funding round in July, the company’s valuation increased to an astounding $4 billion. Skims is rapidly becoming a fashion industry powerhouse, with forecasted net sales of $750 million in 2023.
See first source: Marketing Dive
What is the new partnership announced by Skims?
Skims has entered a multiyear partnership with the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball to become their official underwear partner, involving various promotional strategies across national broadcasts and digital platforms.
How will the partnership be promoted?
The partnership will be promoted through on-court virtual signage during national broadcasts, across the leagues’ social and digital platforms, and at major events like the NBA All-Star Game and WNBA All-Star Game.
Why is this partnership considered ground-breaking?
This partnership is hailed as ground-breaking as it seamlessly merges the realms of fashion, entertainment, and professional sports, creating a convergence of consumer touchpoints.
What does Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA, say about this partnership?
Adam Silver expressed excitement for the partnership, anticipating unique experiences, new offerings, and premium products for NBA fans and Skims users.
What major sporting events will feature Skims as part of this partnership?
Major sporting events like the NBA All-Star Game, NBA In-Season Tournament, WNBA All-Star Game, and USA Basketball Domestic Exhibition Tour will feature Skims.
What’s unique about the digital integration between Skims and the NBA/WNBA?
The partnership includes on-court virtual signage and engagement on social media and digital platforms, creating an unprecedented level of brand exposure and interaction with fans.
How significant is the introduction of menswear by Skims?
The introduction of menswear is a major milestone for Skims, catering to the growing demand observed from the male customer base, and showcased in a massive advertising campaign featuring famous athletes.
What did Kim Kardashian say about Skims’ expansion into menswear?
Kim Kardashian termed the expansion as a major milestone and a testament to Skims’ commitment to providing solutions for everybody.
How has Skims grown since its inception?
Since its 2019 inception, Skims has seen exponential growth with a valuation increase to $4 billion post a successful Series C funding round, and it’s rapidly emerging as a fashion industry powerhouse.
What are the forecasted net sales for Skims in 2023?
Skims is anticipating net sales of $750 million in 2023, reflecting its incredible development and market value.
Featured Image Credit: JC Gellidon; Unsplash – Thank you!


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A new trailer to slice up Black Summer…At FearFest!
That’s right – Gori Is pouncing onto FearFest! by joining Feardemic’s celebration of all things horrific and blood-soaked with a brand new trailer, and a pretty radical announcement for those of you who are wishlisting the game (More on that sooooooon) – not heard of Fearfest? Hit the link here to learn a little more: Fear Fest
The event itself will be starting at 7 pm BST and will be LIVE on IGN’s Youtube and Twitch channels, so be sure to tune in and hype the hell out of the chat when you see the new interview and trailer drop!
Gori Goes To London!
We’ll be putting the demo live again as part of the celebrations, and leaving it up for those of you who can’t join is in London during September for EGX and WASD to enjoy – so be sure to go and get your fill of the cutest brutality you’ve ever seen (And make the most of the photo mode, that thing is POWERFUL)
If you ARE going to WASD / EGX, be sure to swing by and say hello over at the Wired Productions booth where you can play the demo, grab some sweet swag such as wristbands and badges, and say hi to the community team!
Anyway, that’s it for now – more live events! New trailers and interviews, new gameplay showcases, the demo returning, and a couple of sweet announcements are all planned for the next few weeks! And we have even MORE exciting news planned for October – so keep your eyes on our socials for all the announcements (did somebody say NEW demo with new levels? Maybe…)
We’ll see you on Weds night! Share the event, tell your friends, and wishlist the game! get ready to slay!
Check out more Gori news here.


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The level to which China imports pork after Chinese New Year will determine the start of the seasonal increase of the Rabobank 5-nation Hog Price Index.
This is one of the key messages that can be found in the latest Rabobank Pork Quarterly report for the first quarter of 2017.
Albert Vernooij, lead author of the report and animal protein analyst at Rabobank, said, “A lower-than-expected decline in imports will support prices in key exporting countries, while exchange rates remain the other important variable influencing prices. Prices will also be affected by the slow increase in global supply, supported by growing productivity and rising sow numbers.”
Chinese pork prices will remain elevated, but probably slightly less so after the Chinese New Year. The stabilising sow herd and rapidly rising productivity will not affect the market before summer, while the continuing impact of environmental policies on industry restructuring will limit expansion.
Pressured supply and continuing exports will support prices and margins in the EU. However, rising export dependency, as a result of ongoing pressured domestic consumption increases the importance of a favourable exchange rate, given rising competition from the Americas.
The margin split in the US industry will continue in the first half of 2017. Rising production will continue to pressure farmers’ margins, while demand – both for packing capacity and for pork – will support packers’ margins. However, trade developments and the impact of exchange rates will be the wildcards, especially for packers.
Continuing export growth will remain key for the Brazilian pork industry, given the expected 3% production increase and the expected slow recovery of domestic meat consumption. However, all signs point to a positive 2017.


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“The Hai Phong manufacturing unit has performed well. However, to staycompetitive we have decided to consolidate our footprint in Asia. This will leadto a better cost structure”, says Lars Renström, President and CEO of the AlfaLaval Group. “The timing for the change is triggered by the drop in demand forboilers.”
The cost of the closing of the manufacturing in Vietnam has been provided forand no further costs are expected.
Did you know that… in the end of 2012 the Alfa Laval Group had 32 majormanufacturing units; 15 in Europe, 9 in Asia, 6 in the US and 2 in LatinAmerica?
About Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineeringsolutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluidhandling.
The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assistingcustomers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions helpthem to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that producefood and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugarand ethanol.
Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in themechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewatertreatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.
Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena.
Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2012, posted annual sales of aboutSEK 29.8 billion (approx. EUR 3.5 billion). The company has today about 16 400employees.


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Nokia Technologies, once known around the world as a mobile phone manufacturer before exiting the industry last year, is returning to the consumer market with a new focus on virtual reality.
Nokia has unveiled OZO, a next-generation camera which can be used to capture 360-degree video with audio, during a Los Angeles event.
The camera is geared towards professional content creators, as opposed to general consumers.
"OZO aims to advance the next wave of innovation in VR by putting powerful tools in the hands of professionals who will create amazing experiences for people around the world," Nokia President Ramzi Haidamus said, adding that the company expects virtual reality to change how consumers communicate with each other.
"With OZO, we plan to be at the heart of this new world."
The announcement adds another name to the growing list of high-profile companies in the technology industry that are entering the virtual reality space, which looks to immerse users in artificial 3D worlds.
According to Nokia, the OZO will be recording stereoscopic 3D videos and spatial audio using a total of eight synchronized global shutter sensors and another eight microphones integrated in the camera. Content recorded by the OZO camera can then be used for hardware that supports virtual reality technology, such as the VR headsets that are making their way into consumer markets.
Nokia is expected to start shipping the OZO camera in the fall season. However, no price details have been released so far for the device.
The OZO camera signals the new direction for Nokia, after it exited the handset industry that it once dominated. The company was not able to swiftly adapt to the ever-changing trends of the smartphone market, falling far behind Apple and Samsung before agreeing to sell of its handset division to Microsoft for a sum of $7.2 billion.
Nokia is not the only company that is developing cameras to be able to enter the burgeoning virtual reality market. A couple of months ago in May, action camera company GoPro unveiled plans to release a camera that can take spherical video, which can then be pieced together to form a 360-degree environment for virtual reality application.
The virtual reality industry is now worth about $7 billion. At the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo held last month, there were 27 exhibitors that focused on virtual reality, a massive increase compared to the six exhibitors focusing on the technology from last year's E3.


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Peter Zou, founder of Chinese mobile ad network YeahMobi, has launched an India-focused venture capital fund, joining several other peers who are looking to latch on to the opportunities in the Indian startup space, a senior company executive told Techcircle.in.
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- Saurabh Singh on 2017-02-02 14:57:56
- Winni on 2017-02-02 14:25:20
- Aditi Nandan on 2017-02-02 12:56:36


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A cross country road trip in an electric car just became closer to reality.
The White House announced on Nov. 3 plans to create a 25,000 mile recharging network for electric cars that will cover 35 states in an effort to decrease the reliance on traditional gasoline running cars and increase the use of more environmentally friendly electric cars.
As part of the announcement, the U.S. Department of Transportation will designate 48 official electric vehicle routes on highways so drivers will be able to find a recharging station every 50 miles.
The federal government will work with states, private businesses and public groups to establish the recharging stations that will enable zero emission mobility from coast-to-coast on highways.
The government has also partnered with 28 states, utilities and vehicle manufacturers like BMW, General Motors, and Nissan to accelerate electric vehicle deployment on the DOT corridors.
The U.S. Department of Energy is also conducting two studies to evaluate the optimal national electric vehicle charging deployment scenarios, including along DOT’s designated fueling corridors. The White House will also convene key stakeholders this month to continue to encourage state and local governments and businesses to build public electric vehicle charging infrastructure along national highways.
Last summer, the White House offered up to $4.5 billion in loan guarantees to support the commercial-scale deployment of innovate electric vehicle charging facilities.
Electric cars have increased dramatically in popularity in recent years as there are currently more than 20 models available as opposed to just one model available eight years ago. In that time battery costs have decreased by 70 percent and the number of electric vehicle charging stations has increased from 500 in 2008 to more than 16,000 in 2016.


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Matt Kesselring, Head of Hardware Partnerships at Xbox adds: “We’re excited for the launch of Xbox Series X later this year and ushering in the next generation of gaming. As we march towards release – we’re excited to partner with B&O to bring a new premium tier of gaming audio to market for Xbox and B&O fans around the world that travels with you everywhere you love to play Xbox.” … [Read more...] about Bang & Olufsen partners with Xbox to elevate gaming audio experience
MUMBAI: The Information and broadcasting ministry is working on a ‘light touch regulatory regime’ that will bring all the sectors within the media and entertainment (M&E) industry— print, television, radio, films and digital media—under one governance umbrella, allowing a level playing field, said Amit Khare, secretary, I&B ministry. Speaking at the annual media conclave FICCI FRAMES 2020 via video conferencing, Khare said that the government wants to facilitate all the sectors. “There is definitely a need for a level playing field amongst the different media, but level playing field will not mean that we bring everybody under a very heavy regulatory structure. In fact, during the last six years of the present government, the entire focus has been on ease of doing business and on having less but more effective regulation,” Khare said. He also said that the government is “seriously thinking” on bringing digital news aggregators … [Read more...] about Government wants a level playing field across media with light regulation: I&B Secretary
advertising towards advocating social responsibility. YouTube has released its first ‘most-watched public service announcements (PSA) ads leaderboard’ for India.The leaderboard captures the brands that engaged with their audiences, even as the country was in a lockdown and spreads across sectors like Tech, Banking, Auto, and FMCG.'Thank you doctors, nurses and all healthcare workers' by Google India'Ghar mein Khushiyan' by SBI Card'Lets Catch Up With Life' by Parle ProductsRead BE This Week: A virtual Cannes Lions | Rise of imperfect food blogger | Ola's Arun Srinivas shares the new rules of riding responsibly'Hum Haar Nahi Maanenge' by HDFC Bank'#RewindKia | Let’s all Just Rewind!' by Kia Motors India'सुरक्षित रहें, स्वस्थ रहें' by RSPL GROUP'Stay Playful #AtHomeWithOreo' by Oreo India'#WFH toh hamare daant kar rahe - … [Read more...] about YouTube Leaderboard: Most-watched PSA ads of last three months
By Rajiv SaxenaPolice in Detroit, while investigating, were trying to figure out who stole five watches from a Shinola retail store. Authorities mentioned that the thief took off with an estimated $3,800 worth of merchandise. Investigators pulled a security video that had recorded the incident from cameras installed in the store and neighbourhood, which is very common in the US. Detectives zoomed in on the grainy footage and ran the person who appeared to be primary through ‘facial recognition software’. A hit came back: Robert Julian - Borchak Williams, 42, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, about 25 miles northwest of Detroit.In January, police pulled up to Williams' home and arrested him while he stood on his front lawn in front of his wife and two daughters, ages 2 and 5, who cried as they watched their father being taken away in the patrol car. His wife, Melissa Williams, wanted to know where police were taking her husband. “Google it,” she recalls an officer … [Read more...] about Will facial recognition technology bring ethical ‘sea changes’ in governance?
By Pradeep S. Mehta and Sarthak Shukla Already reeling under an economic slowdown, many industries are now fighting a battle of survival in the times of COVID-19. Hiring freezes, haircuts, salary deductions and layoffs have become the mantra of many businesses to remain afloat. At the same time, the demand for front line workers, or COVID warriors as they are called, is rising rapidly. To deal with the pandemic, the Government of India has been actively persuading the goal of marrying economic restoration across industries and ensuring employment security for its largely informal workforce without compromising the health and safety of citizens. Steps in this direction are being undertaken by both the union and state governments. However, it seems that achieving this goal would require compromises for some sections. For instance, workers’ safety cannot go hand in hand with relaxed regulations around industrial inspections and occupational safety. Thus, the need of the hour is … [Read more...] about View: Skill development holds the key to reinvent Indian workforce in times of Covid


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Taxi cab franchise, the pink cab achieved record profits in December 2012.
The figures show an 18 per cent increase in profits compared to the same month in 2011. The pink cab pilot business in Tetbury goes from strength-to-strength with the addition of a new driver in January – normally a time when the cab business is very quiet and cab companies are cutting back on their drivers. The pink cab business in Tetbury bucks the trend and is expanding.
Company co-founder Mark Stevenson said: “Our business philosophy is based on distinctive pink cabs that stand out from the crowd which in turn means that our advertising costs are kept to a minimum which in turn maximises our profits. This may all sound very simple but is amazing how many cab companies go to the wall as they simply focus on turnover and continuously cut fares, thus reducing profits or even posting losses.”
Published: 18 January 2013
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Bill Clintonhas claimed that Republican Mitt Romney will “come after the Irish next” after recent disparaging comments about Italians owning the car company Chrysler.
After Clinton made the Irish comment he added, “which means I’m in trouble” pointing to his Irish ancestry during a speech in St.Cloud Minnesota.
Clinton was referring to Romney’s recent statements that Barack Obama had sold the Chrysler Car Company to Italians and that the “Italians” had then sent American jobs to China.
The allegations that the company would ship Jeep jobs to China were part of an advertising campaign which was unusually refuted by both Chrysler and GM car executives.
Clinton explained that Chrysler had been sold to Italian car company Fiat who had actually turned the company around and restored it to profitability.
Clinton called Romney’s allegations about foreign influence absurd and stated it was an attempt to create some kind of “Deep dark conspiracy.”
It was then he used the line that the Irish could be next on Romney’s hit list.
Clinton has been hot on the stump forPresident Obama in the final days of the campaign and has been acting as his surrogate in several second tier battleground states such as Minnesota and Pennsylvania.


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The date of the presentation of smartphones Huawei Mate 30 was revealed
Every year in the fall, Huawei presents the flagship smartphone of the Mate series, and this year, despite all the difficulties of the Chinese company, it will not be an exception. Our resource managed to find out from Wang Chenglu, president of software development for Huawei, details about some of the features of the future Mate 30, and, more importantly, the date of its announcement.
A representative of Huawei said that the new flagship of Huawei will be presented on September 19. Together with the Mate 30, you can expect the debut and models of the Mate 30 Pro with a more advanced camera and, possibly, some other features. Unfortunately, there is no information on the start date of sales, but it is likely that new devices will be released in Russia a little later, as was the case with the Honor 20 Pro.
- HarmonyOS: Huawei announced a new operating system
- Forget the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 – here comes the Huawei P1000
- Huawei P40: features, price, release date, rumors, leaks and everything we already know
The source also confirmed that the Huawei Mate 30 will be based on the flagship single-chip platform of the new generation Kirin 990. It will obviously become more productive than the current Kirin 980 chip, tentatively, according to rumors, by 20% in terms of CPU and 50% in terms of GPU. Also, the new chip can get a built-in 5G modem.
Finally, the source reports that the new EMUI 10 shell will debut with the Mate 30, which will bring a completely new interface and many other improvements. One of the features of the new shell will be support for the Always-On function, and, as reported, for the correct operation of this function, a new processor will be needed. So on older devices, this function may not appear.


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By Lisa Johnston
New products on display at the American International Toy Fair, held in N
NEW YORK - Monster used Fashion Week here to debut its latest audio addition: the Butterfly headphones, a result of a collaboration with fashion designer Vivienne Tam.
At a press conference last week, Noel Lee, head monster, called the Butterfly headphones a marriage of fashion and consumer electronics. Whereas Monster’s Lady Gaga headphones (the Heartbeats, another fashion-inspired model) were tuned for pop music, Lee said, the Butterfly pair was tuned for a lighter, more open sound, specifically for string and orchestral instruments.
The Butterfly design stems from Tam’s spring 2010 fashion collection, and Tam noted the strong symbolism the butterfly image holds among Asian people.
Explaining why she had partnered with Monster for headphones, Tam said, “When you hear the sound of the music, you hear textures and colors. I wanted to bring the colors to technology.”
The Butterfly headphones, which Lee called “in-ear speakers” and Tam likened to a piece of jewelry, feature a light gold-brushed finish and butterfly images on the earpieces.
Lee said Monster wanted to create “something that a female would wear,” because Monster has found that “women are not seeking better sound like men are.”
The Butterfly headphones will retail for $199 when they begin shipping in the beginning of April. Lee said Monster was working in conjunction with Tam and Hewlett-Packard on a marketing plan, but he did not elaborate further. A Tam-designed netbook was also on display at the press conference that featured a similar butterfly theme, but no further details were provided.
When asked about distribution plans, Lee said, “It’s an exclusive product [and] we want to keep it exclusive,” adding that the headphones will not be a mass general distribution product.
This TWICE webinar, hosted by senior editor Alan Wolf, will take a look at what may be the hottest CE products at retail that will be sold during the all-important fourth quarter. Top technologies, market strategies and industry trends will be discussed with industry analysts and executives.


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ALTAVISTA, Virginia – Robert Pate, the owner of Cyclin ‘Nutz bicycle store, said that since the start of the pandemic he has been trying to find ways to reach customers.
“Believe it or not, there are still a lot of people who don’t know there is a bike shop in Altavista,” Pate said.
Now that is changing. The city of Altavista launches the Distrx mobile application to draw attention to its downtown district.
“It’s really a way, during this COVID pandemic, to easily get information,” said George Sandridge, Main Street coordinator for Altavista.
The app includes a business directory, parking information and a list of events.
Businesses can sign up for free, then upload information, photos, and even promotional content.
Jessica McKay, director of Main Street Café and Coffee, believes this is another way to connect with consumers during COVID.
“Whether people are local or new to the area and don’t know what’s out there, it gives everyone the opportunity to get to know the different businesses in the area,” McKay said.
Pate said the mobile app makes searching online easier.
“This kind of brings it all together. You don’t have to worry about Google searching or searching the Internet, ”Pate said.
Sandridge added that any Main Street community across the country can configure the Distrx app, so visitors receive notifications instantly.
“So if you live in Florida but are visiting here in Altavista; if you have the app, you’ll get a notification as soon as you get to downtown, ”Sandridge said.
Distrx is now available in the Google Play and Apple app stores, but is expected to be completed in April.
Other parts of our area, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, Bedford and Martinsville, also have their own apps.
Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.


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YEOVIL NEWS: Crazy golf centre coming to a refreshed Yeovil?
AN INDOOR crazy golf centre could be part of new leisure facilities to be created in the town centre as part of the Yeovil Refresh project.
Ian Timms, the Yeovil Refresh project manager for South Somerset District Council, spoke with members of the Yeovil Chamber of Commerce on July 8 at a business leaders breakfast briefing held on the Zoom conferencing technology.
Mr Timms said that Yeovil Refresh was aimed at making the town a more pleasant environment and explained that the plans included concentrating retail in the top half of town and leisure outlets in the bottom half of the town.
He explained that the Old Cattle Market, Glovers Walk and some of the council-owned car parks were key sites for development.
Mr Timms said that included in the plans were “health facilities, hotels, 500-plus residential properties, leisure activities you see in other places such as indoor crazy golf, more cinema screens, work space, a little bit of retail and food and beverage opportunities.”
During his presentation he said that a new junction could be introduced onto the Reckleford dual-carriageway as part of the scheme in the years ahead.
Plans to make the town centre look more visually attractive should be completed by 2023 and follow a schedule of Westminster Street, The Triangle and Wine Street, Middle Street back towards The Borough, The Borough and High Street, Lower Middle Street and Wyndham Street.
Mr Timms said it was envisaged The Triangle area would become something similar to Brewery Square in Dorchester.
He said the plans to kick-off the multi-million-pound project in Westminster Street had been delayed by a “slight hitch” because of a sewer.
More news available in the August edition of the Yeovil Press community newspaper - available now in various outlets in the town including the Tesco Extra store, Morrisons store, No5 Cafe Diner on the Lynx Trading Estate, Iceland store in the Quedam Shopping Centre, and Palmers Garden Centre.
PHOTO: An example of an indoor crazy golf course facility – perhaps something like this might open in the town centre as part of the Yeovil Refresh project?


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Visa has signed four of the UK's largest banking brands for the full-scale commercial roll out of its V.me digital wallet for online shopping.
Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and TSB Bank plan to launch their own bank-branded digital wallets in the coming months, joining Nationwide Building Society in offering the service.
V.me lets registered users make secure online payments to participating merchants with just a username and password, removing the hassle of having to enter card account number, bill-to and ship-to information for every transaction.
Visa says new names are expected to be announced shortly as the service expands in the UK throughout the year.
A host of new retailers, led by Iceland, Costco.co, and Arcadia Group, owners of Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, and Miss Selfridge, are also committed.
Andrew Ducker, Lloyds Banking Group head of retail payments, says: “There has been a huge shift in the way consumers shop and pay for goods, cash is no longer king. By introducing Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland wallets later this year all our customers will benefit from increased ease of making payments online.”


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Consumers have been warned that some unscrupulous tyre dealers have increased the price of all tyres by almost 40% – and not just tyres imported from China in line with the 38.33% provisional anti-dumping duty imposed on the latter by the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac).
Francois Dubbelman, trade law expert and founder of FC Dubbelman & Associates, said on Friday he is “100% sure” some tyre dealers are taking advantage of the situation and increasing the price of all tyres by 38%, instead of only hiking the price of imported tyres.
Dubbelman said he had received WhatsApp and other messages from tyre dealers stating: “Put on new tyres because they are going up by 38%.”
He said if the tyres fitted are Goodyear and Sumitomo, they will also be increasing in price by 38% – “but it’s not supposed to be like that”.
Moneyweb received an SMS message sent to potential customers by a tyre dealer in Pretoria, making it clear that the increase only applies to imported tyres: “Beat the new 38% duty on import tyres. Pay the old price at *** at Menlyn.”
However, consumers might not know which tyres are imported and end up replacing their tyres earlier than necessary.
And as Dubbelman stressed, the provisional anti-dumping duty only applies to tyres imported from China – not all imported tyres.
He said there is also substantial stock in the market of tyres imported from China that should not be subject to the 38% provisional anti-dumping duty.
“So they are [possibly] already making 38% more on the existing price in the market [for imported tyres] plus the local manufactured tyre they are selling,” he said.
Price gouging watchdog responds
The competition authorities are likely to be interested in any confirmed reports of tyre dealers sharply increasing the price of all tyres.
Competition Commission spokesperson Siyabulela Makunga said on Friday the commission can initiate a complaint against the alleged prohibited practice and investigate such a complaint.
He said consumers can also lodge complaints with the commission regarding the alleged prohibited practice.
“Should the investigation reveal a contravention of the Competition Act, the commission will refer the matter to the Competition Tribunal for adjudication.”
The commission cracked down on price gouging during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Price gouging occurs when firms increase prices despite no significant increase in input costs.
Excessive pricing is also prohibited in terms of Section 8 of the Competition Act.
No reports as yet, says industry body
Tyre Equipment Parts Association (Tepa) national director Vishal Premlal said the association is unaware of, and has not received any reports that there are, untoward practices by any particular sector nor that some tyre dealers have increased the price of all tyres by 38% since Itac imposed the additional duty on tyres imported from China.
He said Tepa would absolutely frown on such a practice if it was happening.
The association has taken a position to reserve comment and not back any side in the anti-dumping duty dispute, he added.
“It’s a very contentious issue between importers and manufacturers at the moment and we have got both sitting in our camp. At the end of the day, there are arguments to be made on both sides.”
On one side, the manufacturers
South Africa’s four local tyre manufacturers are the members of the SA Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC), which submitted the application to Itac for anti-dumping duties on tyres imported from China.
Dubbelman, who represents the SATMC also cast doubt on whether the provisional 38.33% anti-dumping duty should result in an equivalent immediate increase in the price of imported tyres from China – and not only because of the substantial existing stock of these tyres in the market.
He said Itac must make a final determination on the SATMC application by 8 March 2023 or the provisional anti-dumping duties on tyres from China will lapse.
He admitted there is a risk to tyre importers and dealers that they will be left out of pocket if Itac makes a final determination in the SATMC’s favour.
Read/listen: SATMC: Why we proposed the tariffs on imported tyres
However, he added that there is “an about 99%” likelihood that these provisional duties will lapse and these imports will be permitted again with only the 30% customs duty on passenger tyre imports and 25% customs duty on truck and bus tyre imports until about July 2023.
Dubbleman said this is because of delays in Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel signing off on final anti-dumping duties before the provisional anti-dumping duties lapse, resulting in importers being refunded all these duties that they have paid.
On the other, the importers
Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (Tiasa) chair Charl de Villiers confirmed to Moneyweb last week that Tiasa has commenced legal steps to reverse the decision taken by Itac to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on tyres imported from China.
He said Tiasa will be lodging a high court application on the basis that the legislation Itac relied on to impose these provisional duties, Section 30 of the International Trade Administration Act 71 of 2002, has not been promulgated.
And for reference – chicken imports
Dubbleman expressed doubts about the accuracy of Tiasa’s claims.
He believes that if the legislation had not been promulgated and come into effect, this would have become evident during the recent dispute over chicken imports into South Africa.
He believes Tiasa is attempting to create hysteria in the tyre market about the impact of the anti-dumping duties in the hope that government will postpone the implementation date of any anti-dumping duties, as happened with chicken imports.


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Amazon has released its Alexa app for Windows 10, while it was available for selected Windows laptops, today marks the official launch of the app in the Microsoft Store. You can download and install the app on any Windows 10 PC with no specifications requirements.
It is only compatible with devices that support Alexa wake word functionality. If you don’t have a compatible PC then you can hit the button within the app to speak to Alexa or invoke the assistant using a keyboard shortcut. It includes access to now playing to control music and the ability to control smart home devices. Video, calls, Spotify, and Pandora are all not currently supported within this Alexa for Windows 10 app at the moment.
Amazon hasn’t added PC specific controls to ask Alexa to do access Windows features, but Amazon says “PC-specific capabilities will be added in early 2019 in addition to ongoing feature updates.” You can download the Alexa app from Microsoft Store here.


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“American Idol” judge Simon Cowell has laid claim to being bigger than Bruce Springsteen in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes.” In the interview (which will air on Sunday) Cowell stated that he is worth more to Sony BMG than Springsteen.
Cowell further stated that he sells more albums for the label than the 57-year-old music icon – who signed a deal with Sony BMG for more than $100 million. He also said that if Springsteen’s contract is based on album sales then Sony BMG should pay him even more since he has probably sold “over 100 million records.”
Cowell backed up his claim to the title due to his involvement with Fox network’s “American Idol” and the amount of top selling artists that the show has produced around the world. Sony BMG produces albums with “American Idol” winners and runners-up through a deal with Clive Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited – the label that is managed by Idol creator Simon Fuller.
Note the date on this article may be incorrect due to importing it from our old system.


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Dec. 14, 2021, 3:24 PM
A U.S. International Trade Commission said it’s seeking public input after a judge found no violation of a patent owned by Israel-based Tama Group over packaging for cotton bales harvested with Deere tractors, according to a notice posted on the agency’s website.
- ITC Judge
Charles Bullockissued a one-paragraph notice Friday saying he had found no violation of a Tama patent without providing details; the judge’s full findings are confidential until both sides get to redact confidential information
- Bullock’s determination is subject to review by the full commission, which has set a target date of April 11 to complete the …


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Madden Ultimate Team's Color Smash arrived on Friday, albeit a little late, with a lot of content for players.
Daily egg hunts, a grindable word scramble, and two 98 OVR masters have kept players in isolation and lockdown busy.
We also know that a new House Rules event will be going live today.
This limited-time event is sure to have big rewards, so what can players expect?
Color Smash House Rules start time & format
EGG-CELLENT: Color Smash has been a big boost for people in lockdown
We know that a House Rules event is coming today, but we aren't quite sure what it will be.
The House Rules are "Played Out".
That means that offensive & defensive plays have a long 5-play cooldown period with just a 2-play limit. So you better have an arsenal of money plays to use!
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Madden 21
You can expect the event to go live at 10:30am ET / 3:30pm BST today, barring any unexpected delays again.
The rewards for the new House Rules event are Color Smash players!
After 5, 10, and 15 wins you'll get two 87-95 Color Smash players. At 20 wins you'll get three 87-95 Color Smash players, and after 25 wins it's two 91-95 Color Smash players.
30 & 35 win milestones will be 100 trophies and 10,000 coins, with 40, 45, and 50 wins earning you 100 trophies and 15,000 coins.
Candy for eggs
CAN'T CATCH ME: Getting hold of Ed Reed has been tricky
With no 96 OVR exchange set you'll want to sell off those Color Smash players for candy and invest in some eggs! Be sure to buy the biggest ones you can.
The bigger the egg, the better the reward when they hatch on 12 April, so get loaded up and stay ready for your rewards!


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Featuring what the company describes as a “more aggressive” design language, the high-performance Grand Tourer model will produce over 600bhp and join the classically styled Mini Remastered, which was launched last year, and Speedback GT in the marque's line-up.
The company has released images of its upcoming car's details, with the latest picture showing the outline of the classic 1950s layout of Silverstone circuit on the seat's headrests. DBA said the car's design will “capture David Brown’s vision of a high-performance classic grand tourer”, suggesting its look will be more focused on illustrating its performance, with retro motorsport and aeronautical influences.
The Silverstone Edition is based on the Speedback GT and will be hand made at the company’s Silvertstone headquarters using traditional construction techniques. Only ten will be produced.


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New information shows that the biggest source for all this location data–namely, the smartphones that we carry around everywhere–is drying up as Apple and Google offer stronger, clearer privacy controls on their platforms.
None of this means that location tracking is going away, but with more people opting out of sharing their precise location with apps, advertisers now have to make do with less accurate information. That in turn could make them rethink overly invasive tracking in the first place.
But a world eaten by software is also one of overwhelming choice. The internet connects more than five billion people, who have collectively created 130 trillion web pages. We have instant access to those web pages along with all of their untold millions of apps, videos, photos, articles, and goofy memes.
It follows that a world of overwhelming choice is also one of overwhelming competition for attention. To have any chance of competing, products and services need to be easily understood, compelling, and even beautiful. With the internet now providing the most potent means of distribution, design has become the most potent means of differentiation.
To understand Apple Inc.’s evolving place in the tech world, consider that one of its most important executives today is a guy whose job is badgering suppliers to get costs down.
Tony Blevins, vice president of procurement, will stop at little to get a favorable deal. He has paraded manufacturers past competitors in Apple’s lobby and spurned a UPS contract by sending it back to UPS executives through FedEx. He persuaded subcontractors not to pay a chip maker that Apple was in litigation with, depriving the chip company of $8 billion, according to court documents and people who recall the case.
For years, Mr. Blevins wore a tourist trinket from Hawaii, a cheap puka-shell necklace he had negotiated to a $2 price from $5. It was a reminder to his staff that nothing should fetch full price, said Helen Wang, who worked on his procurement team for years.
Oh, nothing should fetch full price, eh, Apple?
Thanks for reading.


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The Kindle Fire Rules Android Market
A recent study by comScore shows that Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet has remained a hot property, doubling its market share in just two months. According to the study the tablets share of the Android market jumped from 29.4% in December 2011 to 54.4% in February 2012.
The report does not count Barnes & Noble’s Nook due to classifying it as an ereader and not a multipurpose tablet, but if you combine the two they have a huge share of the Android market, and it appears that Android users opt for the lower cost offerings from Amazon and Barnes & Noble rather than the pricier ones from players like Asus.
So with Apple dominating the high end and these two at the low end of the tablet market what else is there. I suspect lots of room to grow in both. Many of the first generation Android tablets were touted as iPad killers and were not. They should instead seek to meet specific market needs and stop worrying about other players’ products.
Google Patent Trial shows past expectations.
One piece of evidence that has come out during the Oracle vs Google trial around Java patents has been the revelation of what Google’s expectations for Android were two years ago according to a presentation at the trial.
Some of the information listed was highlights that included device activation and searches while the lowlights noted that the company was behind in music, video and books and said that Apple was maintain momentum with strong product launches.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of information available from the trial, and The Verge has a full readout on what is going on as well as a great deal more data on Android sales and expectations.
Has Google lost control of Android?
Joe Wilcox over at Beta News makes a strong argument that Google has lost control of Android and that it could have very negative repercussions to the developer if it does not actively and quickly reassert control over the platform.
Fragmentation is occurring, and as he noted the most successful implementation of Android that used by Amazon in its very popular Kindle line, does not greatly resemble the version that is available elsewhere. Proprietary versions of the operating system can cause big problems.
The old saying that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” certainly resonates here. This issue occurred with DOS before Microsoft exerted control over the OS. Then again with Sun Microsystems’ Java, which it just barely managed to prevent fragmentation, interestingly enough, at the hands of Microsoft.
So I imagine that Google’s first priority if to get the Oracle lawsuit finished prior to any work on the OS but I would not be surprised if shortly afterwards the company announced a developer conference and new guidelines for developing on the platform.
Samsung is the King-of smartphones
Samsung released its sales figures last month and it has knocked off Nokia as king of the hill in smartphone sales. Samsung has shipped 93.5 million phones in the first quarter and of that number 44.5 million were smartphones.
Nokia had been top dog for 14 years, with a very brief sojourn at the top for Apple. In the first quarter Nokia is estimated to have shipped 82.7 million phones while Apple shipped 35.1 million in the same period.
According to market research firm Strategy Analytics Samsung’s strong quarter helped move its overall market share to 25.4% from 19.3%, year over year while Nokia went in the opposite direction falling from 30.4% to 22.5%
For the quarter Samsung posted a $5.2 billion profit on $39.8 billion in revenue. Aside from the strong growth in handsets the company also experienced strong sales of its tablet products such as its Galaxy Note.
Winklevoss twins announce venture capital firm
The Winklevoss twins of Facebook fame have launched a venture capital firm called Winklevoss Capital. The firm will focus on early stage, disruptive startups. They said that they expect to close a couple of deals within the next few months.
A $20 trillion rock?
I love all of this space mining talk. The value of what they are doing just keeps going up and up. In case you missed it a company called Planetary Resources and bills itself as an asteroid mining company was announced last week.
Among its backers are Ross Perot Jr., James Cameron, some Google billionaires and Microsoft. The plan is to develop not only the capability to mine asteroids but also to have space-based refilling stations for spaceships.
I have no idea if this will get off the ground but I really hope it does because it sounds like it will be very interesting to follow. The first asteroid that it has its eye on has an estimated value of $20 trillion dollars.


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After a long battle, Uber has agreed to cede business in China to rival Didi Chuxing in a deal estimated at $35B.
(CCM) — On Monday, Uber announced plans to merge its operations in China with local competitor Didi Chuxing, ending a three-year battle for marketshare and an expensive price war. Under the agreement, the American company and its local investors (including search engine giant Baidu Inc.) will receive a 20% stake in the combined company — an estimated value of $35 billion. In addition, Didi founder Cheng Wei and Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick will join each other’s Board of Directors. "I have no doubt that Uber China and Didi Chuxing will be stronger together. That’s why I’m so excited about our future, both in China — a country which has been incredibly open to innovation in our industry — and the rest of the world," said Kalanick in a statement on the Uber newsroom.
In the three years since Uber's entrance into China, the company has never managed to turn a profit, losing an estimated $2 billion to its competitor. Unconfirmed sources have indicated that this merger comes amid pressure from shareholders to sell off the company at the risk of losing even more business and pushing off an IPO. With the battle in China now over, Uber is at liberty to expand operations to other areas of the world.
Image: © Alexey Boldin - Shutterstock.com


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Bethesda has just released the first trailer for Dawnguard, the first expansion pack that will be launched for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim this summer.
Skyrim has impressed millions of players from all over the world and, while it has delivered hundreds of hours of adventures, many people are eagerly anticipating the first full-fledged expansion for the RPG, in the form of Dawnguard.
After confirming the DLC earlier this year, Bethesda has now released the first trailer for the add-on, showing off plenty of gameplay footage.
As you can see, Skyrim’s protagonist, the Dragonborn, is caught in a conflict between a race of powerful vampires and the Dawnguard, a group dedicated to stopping the monsters.
Throughout the new adventures, players will encounter quite a lot of interesting things and even turn into a freakish half-bat/half-vampire hybrid.
Skyrim will get the Dawnguard expansion this summer and will arrive as a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360. Until then, check out the trailer above.


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Samsung’s latest smart home offering will launch with a big splash at the UK CES trade show, the company has announced.
Samsung’s smart home devices, including the new WX-10, WX10 and WX30, will debut at CES 2017, the biggest consumer electronics show in the US.
The company says the WX series will offer a wide range of intelligent smart home features and the WY series will expand on the W X series, including a new smart home hub that’s based on the new Samsung Smart Hub platform.
Samsung announced the WZ series at the start of January, but hasn’t launched the new devices yet.
The WX Series, the W10 and the new series WX will be launched alongside the W Series in June, while the W30 will arrive in August.
The WX and W10 series will include a smart home feature that allows users to control the devices from a smart TV or smart speaker via a web browser.
The smart home component also works with the W smartphone.
The devices work with the new Smart Hub Platform, which has been designed to be the standard for smart home connected devices.
In addition to the W series, Samsung has also announced a new W-series, which it says will offer users control over the W devices.
That series will also be based on its new Smart Smart Hub.
A new smart hub-based smart home will be introduced later in the year.
Samsung’s new smart smart home products will be available in the UK in June.
Samsung also said it will launch a range of Samsung Smart TV products, including an 8-inch and 12-inch TVs.
The company says it plans to release more devices for smart hubs, including two smart home hubs for the new smart TV.


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Rocha says long road ahead at GM Korea
General Motors Korea has seen its operating profit slip for the last three years despite rising sales but Sergio Rocha, its president and CEO, said the parent company is not to blame, refuting critics’ claims that the U.S. auto giant has demanded unreasonably low export prices.
“Our corporation has been helping us a lot, and without that help GM Korea wouldn’t have come this far. I’m not complaining at all,” the 53-year-old Brazilian said during a press conference at the company’s Bupyeong plant in Incheon yesterday amid celebrations of its 10th anniversary this month.
“I’m not happy with what we did in [terms of our sales performance here] in recent years and that is a task that we need to work on,” he said.
Last year, the local unit saw annual sales hit a record high of 16.57 trillion won ($15.12 billion), up 19 percent from 2011. But operating profit declined 7 percent to 272 billion won.
Some industry insiders blame dealings with the parent company for the imbalance as the latter moves to bring Korean-made products into the U.S. at cheap prices.
GM Korea has not only been supplying fully-made vehicles but also auto parts to GM and its affiliates. Last year, trade between two sides accounted for 66 percent of GM Korea’s total sales.
However, Rocha denied speculation that GM has been hurting its profits. The former president and managing director of GM Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay also said Korea’s third-largest carmaker must first improve is its local business rather than dealing with issues relating to the corporate headquarters in Detroit.
The CEO, who succeeded John Buttermore in March, said the company will continue to invest more than 1 trillion won a year in new vehicles, powertrains, eco-friendly cars, design and engineering.
GM took over Daewoo Motors in 2002. Over the last decade, it has introduced 34 new vehicles starting with the Lacetti in 2002. It has also expanded seven production and R&D facilities, including the Bupyeong Design Center.
Rocha said the automaker will introduce its next-generation Chevrolet Trax, a small SUV, to the Korean market early next year, will plan to reinforce sales of its luxury Cadillacs through enhanced brand awareness and release a new Cadillac ATS.
He said that the company will begin producing the all-electric Chevrolet Spark at its Changwon plant next year. The city car will be sold in Korea and exported to several markets, including the United States.
“The Spark BEV [battery electric vehicle] combines the practicality of a mini car with the environmental friendliness of an electric vehicle,” Rocha said. “As GM’s first fully electric vehicle in the Korean market, it will showcase Korea’s important role in GM’s long-term global vehicle strategy.”
Rocha, who holds degrees in mechanical engineering and industrial engineering from his native Brazil, said the GM Korea Design Center in Incheon will double in size by the end of next year by integrating energy-saving technologies, while one of its plants will integrate solar power to be more eco-friendly. GM Korea will also expand the vehicle-testing capabilities of it’s Cheong-na Proving Ground in Incheon to create a stricter and more diverse testing program, he said.
Regarding GM’s attempt to buy a 17.02 percent stake in the local unit currently held by Korea Development Bank (KDB), Rocha confirmed that he met with KDB Chairman Kang Man-soo along with Tim Lee, president of GM’s international operations.
He refused to elaborate on their discussions, merely saying that “the deal is aimed at defending the interests of GM Korea’s operation and keeping us sustainable.”
GM and its affiliates own 82.98 percent of GM Korea.
By Joo Kyung-don [email@example.com]