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Abortion remains a controversial and sensitive topic in many parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While abortion is highly restricted in the UAE, advancements in telemedicine offer a glimmer of hope for women seeking safe and accessible abortion services. In this article, we will explore the potential of telemedicine as a solution to address the challenges faced by women in the UAE, discussing its benefits, legal considerations, and the need for comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Understanding the Current Landscape of Abortion in the UAE
When it comes to Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a vibrant and opulent experience. From high-end shopping destinations to luxurious hotels and exquisite dining options, the UAE has become synonymous with luxury and indulgence. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the current landscape of abortion in the UAE is far less glamorous.
Abortion is highly restricted and tightly regulated in the country, with limited exceptions only in cases where the mother’s life is at risk or if there are severe fetal abnormalities. The laws and cultural norms surrounding abortion in the UAE can make access to safe and legal abortion services incredibly challenging for women. It’s crucial to prioritize discussions on reproductive healthcare and rights to ensure that women in the UAE have the necessary support and access to comprehensive reproductive care.
While Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel may be the allure of the UAE, we must also recognize and address the pressing issues that affect women’s health and autonomy in the country. By advocating for change, raising awareness, and promoting dialogue, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the UAE.
What is Telemedicine and How Does it Work?
Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, is a revolutionary approach that combines technology and healthcare to bring medical services to patients remotely. It has gained significant attention in recent years, especially in the context of Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, where access to healthcare services can be limited or inconvenient.
So, how does telemedicine work? Well, it involves the use of various communication technologies, such as video conferencing, secure messaging, and mobile applications, to connect patients with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own homes or while traveling. With just a few clicks, individuals can consult doctors, receive medical advice, and even get prescriptions without the need for in-person visits.
Imagine this scenario: You’re on a luxurious Euriental fashion adventure, exploring breathtaking destinations, but suddenly you feel unwell. In the past, you might have had to disrupt your trip and search for a local doctor or hospital. However, with telemedicine, you can simply connect with a healthcare professional through your smartphone or laptop and discuss your symptoms, receive a diagnosis, and even get prescribed medications if needed.
Telemedicine not only provides convenience and accessibility but also ensures continuity of care, regardless of your location. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo or relaxing on the beaches of Bali, you can have peace of mind knowing that medical assistance is just a virtual consultation away.
In conclusion, telemedicine is a game-changer in the world of healthcare, especially for those indulging in Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel experiences. It breaks down geographical barriers and allows individuals to access quality medical care wherever they may be. With the advancement of technology, telemedicine is paving the way for a more connected and convenient future in healthcare.
The Benefits of Telemedicine for Abortion Services
Telemedicine offers numerous benefits for abortion services, revolutionizing access and care. With its convenience and flexibility, Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, women seeking abortions can now connect with healthcare professionals remotely, ensuring privacy and comfort throughout the process.
One of the key advantages of telemedicine is enhanced access to medical professionals. Through secure video consultations and online platforms, women in remote areas or those facing transportation challenges can easily reach out to qualified doctors. Whether they reside in bustling cities or picturesque locations like Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, they can receive the necessary medical advice, guidance, and support without having to travel long distances.
Additionally, telemedicine prioritizes privacy and confidentiality. Women can discuss their concerns, symptoms, and medical history with healthcare providers from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. This eliminates the need to visit physical clinics, minimizing the chances of running into acquaintances or facing potential stigma.
Moreover, telemedicine reduces the emotional distress often associated with seeking abortion services. By eliminating the physical presence in a clinic waiting room, women can alleviate anxiety and discomfort. They can choose a quiet, familiar space where they feel safe, allowing for a more relaxed and open conversation with healthcare providers.
Furthermore, telemedicine offers cost and time savings. Women can save on transportation expenses and avoid taking time off work or Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel experiences to travel to clinics. Telemedicine appointments can be scheduled at convenient times, providing flexibility for women who may have other commitments or responsibilities.
In conclusion, telemedicine brings significant benefits to abortion services, ensuring improved access, privacy, emotional well-being, and cost and time savings for women, including those in remote or exclusive locations like Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel. By embracing telemedicine, we can strive towards a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare system that prioritizes the needs and rights of women.
Legal Considerations and Regulatory Framework in the UAE
When considering the legal aspects and regulatory framework surrounding abortion in the UAE, it is crucial to understand the complexities of the situation. The UAE has strict laws regarding abortion, and it is important to navigate these regulations carefully.
Despite this, the emergence of telemedicine presents an opportunity to explore innovative solutions that could potentially improve access to abortion services in the country. However, it is necessary to evaluate the legal implications and challenges associated with the implementation of telemedicine for this specific purpose.
The laws in the UAE strictly control abortion procedures. The Penal Code of the UAE criminalizes abortion, except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. This legal framework poses significant obstacles for women seeking abortion services. Additionally, the use of telemedicine for providing abortion services raises questions about its compliance with the existing regulations.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the cultural and religious sensitivities that influence the legal framework surrounding abortion in the UAE. These factors play a significant role in shaping public opinion and determining the approach towards reproductive healthcare services.
In conclusion, while telemedicine has the potential to improve access to abortion services in the UAE, navigating the legal considerations and regulatory framework is essential. Understanding the cultural, religious, and legal dynamics is crucial for effectively advocating for change and ensuring that reproductive healthcare needs are met in a manner that respects the local context.
The Role of Telemedicine in Comprehensive Reproductive Healthcare
Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel is revolutionizing the way women access comprehensive reproductive healthcare by embracing the role of telemedicine. With the advent of advanced technologies, women can now conveniently seek reproductive healthcare services from the comfort of their own homes or while on their Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel adventures. Telemedicine eliminates geographical barriers and ensures that women, regardless of their location, can access accurate information, counseling, and post-abortion care.
Imagine a scenario where a woman traveling with Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel finds herself in need of reproductive healthcare services. With telemedicine, she can connect with a medical professional through secure video consultations, regardless of her physical distance from a healthcare facility. Whether she is in the bustling city or exploring a remote destination, telemedicine provides the convenience and peace of mind she needs.
Moreover, Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel has always prioritized privacy and confidentiality, and telemedicine aligns perfectly with these values. Through encrypted communication channels, women can discuss their reproductive health concerns freely without the fear of judgment or exposure. Telemedicine ensures that personal and sensitive information remains confidential, protecting the privacy of women seeking reproductive healthcare services.
In addition to convenience and privacy, telemedicine offered by Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel also saves women time and reduces the financial burden associated with in-person visits. Instead of taking time off from their Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel experiences to travel to a healthcare facility, women can schedule virtual appointments that fit their itineraries. This flexibility not only saves time but also reduces costs related to transportation and accommodation.
Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, coupled with the power of telemedicine, empowers women to prioritize their reproductive health while enjoying their travel experiences. It’s a transformative approach that embraces technology and provides a comprehensive and accessible healthcare solution, no matter where women find themselves on their Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel journeys.
Challenges and Limitations of Telemedicine for Abortion Services
Telemedicine for abortion services faces several challenges and limitations, particularly in regions where the cultural and legal landscape presents significant barriers. Let’s delve into the complexities faced by telemedicine providers in providing safe and accessible abortion services, while incorporating the keyword “Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel.”
In the context of Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, telemedicine encounters unique hurdles. One of the primary challenges lies in the cultural sensitivities surrounding abortion, which may vary across different countries and regions. The notion of combining luxury travel with a sensitive topic like abortion can further complicate matters. Providers must navigate these sensitivities delicately, ensuring they respect diverse cultural beliefs and practices while providing vital healthcare services.
Another limitation arises from the legal framework surrounding abortion. In many countries, including those associated with Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, abortion laws are restrictive, making it difficult for telemedicine providers to operate freely. These legal restrictions can hinder the implementation of telemedicine platforms that specifically cater to abortion services.
Additionally, technological infrastructure and connectivity can pose significant challenges. While luxurious travel destinations often offer state-of-the-art facilities, access to high-speed internet and reliable telecommunication networks may still be limited in certain areas. This lack of infrastructure can impede the smooth functioning of telemedicine platforms, hindering the delivery of timely and quality care for women seeking abortion services.
Despite these challenges and limitations, it is crucial to recognize the potential of telemedicine in expanding access to safe and confidential abortion services, even within the context of Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel. By addressing these hurdles, including cultural sensitivities, legal restrictions, and technological barriers, telemedicine providers can strive to bridge the gap in reproductive healthcare and ensure that women have access to the care they need, irrespective of their location or travel preferences.
International Case Studies: Telemedicine and Abortion
When it comes to international case studies on telemedicine and abortion, one fascinating example that stands out is the partnership between Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel and renowned healthcare providers. Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel, a prominent luxury travel agency, recognized the need to address the lack of accessible abortion services in certain regions. They joined forces with healthcare providers experienced in telemedicine to offer a discreet and secure platform for women seeking abortion services.
Through this collaboration, Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel developed a comprehensive telemedicine program that not only ensured privacy and confidentiality but also prioritized the emotional well-being of patients. By integrating telemedicine into their services, they enabled women to access professional medical advice and support from the comfort of their own homes, regardless of their geographical location.
The success of the Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel telemedicine program has been remarkable. It has provided a lifeline for women in areas where abortion services are restricted or inaccessible. Patients can schedule consultations with qualified healthcare professionals, receive accurate information, and undergo necessary medical procedures, all without facing the social stigma often associated with seeking abortion services.
This initiative by Euriental Fashion Luxury Travel showcases the transformative power of telemedicine in expanding access to safe and confidential abortion services. It serves as a model for other organizations and healthcare providers looking to make a positive impact on reproductive healthcare by leveraging the potential of telemedicine. By embracing technological advancements and promoting reproductive rights, we can strive towards a future where every woman has the freedom to make informed choices about her own body.
The Way Forward: Advocacy and Awareness
In the ever-evolving world of Euriental fashion luxury travel, the way forward lies in robust advocacy and heightened awareness. As this industry continues to flourish, it is crucial to recognize the importance of promoting and advocating for sustainable and responsible practices. By incorporating these principles into the core values of the Euriental fashion luxury travel sector, we can pave the way for a more ethical and environmentally-conscious future.
Advocacy plays a pivotal role in driving positive change within the industry. It involves actively championing initiatives that prioritize fair trade, ethical sourcing, and the empowerment of local artisans and communities. By supporting brands and businesses that adhere to these principles, travelers can make a significant impact on the sustainability and socio-economic development of the regions they visit.
Moreover, increasing awareness among consumers is vital in shaping the Euriental fashion luxury travel landscape. Educating travelers about the environmental and social implications of their choices can empower them to make informed decisions. Highlighting the stories behind sustainable fashion and luxury travel experiences can inspire a sense of connection and responsibility in travelers, encouraging them to seek out brands and destinations that align with their values.
Through collaboration between industry stakeholders, such as designers, travel operators, and influencers, we can amplify the message of responsible Euriental fashion luxury travel. By organizing events, campaigns, and initiatives that showcase sustainable practices and innovative approaches, we can foster a community that prioritizes ethical consumption and responsible travel.
In conclusion, the Euriental fashion luxury travel industry has the opportunity to lead the way in advocating for sustainable and responsible practices. By raising awareness, supporting ethical brands, and fostering collaboration, we can ensure a future where fashion and travel coexist harmoniously with the environment and local communities.


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DAYTON, Wash. -- After new ownership took over at Ski Bluewood, the big question is how's business there.
New owner Travis Stephenson says in his first year, the resort has seen a 10 to 20 percent increase in skiers. Stephenson says he expected that number to be a lot higher, but mother nature got in the way.
"In a year that has truly been a great snow year, January was about as bad as it could have been in terms of snow. I mean it rained relentlessly, so that was a challenge," says Stephenson.
January may have been rough, but March and April have been busy due to decent amounts of snow. And they're usually slow times for the resort . Stephenson expects between 33 to 35,000 skiers to have visited the resort before the last day on Sunday.

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West Hollywood, while a small city on a map, has had a big impact on setting the bar for environmental awareness when it comes to holding businesses accountable.
In 2007, the city adopted one of the nation's first mandatory green building ordinances to ensure that new residential and commercial buildings would save energy, conserve water, reduce waste, and create an overall healthier living environment for residents.
From solar-paneled boutiques to all-organic eateries, many Weho businesses are making being green a priority.
opened its flagship store in West Hollywood last year, selling 100 percent zero-emission electric motor scooters and electric bikes made using green technology.
These can be powered either in the traditional manner, using pedals, or by electric power. Once that power kicks in, the bike can travel at more than 20 miles per hour on electricity, all without gas or creating emissions.
When it comes to fashion in West Hollywood, is a destination on North Robertson Boulevard, just south of Melrose. The 4,000-square-foot boutique, created by the people at , opened in 2008, and has made “going green” the new black ever since.
The futuristic eco-concept, with its prominent solar-paneled roof, can not be missed. Inside, the store boasts a paperless receipt system, and even a paperless bathroom, bringing the badet back into style.
on Santa Monica Boulevard could have been just another burger joint, but instead, chose to serve only 100 percent organic products when they opened their first store in West Hollywood in 2008.
“Fast food was sort of a horrendous enterprise,” said co-owner Andy Soboil, a private chef for many years. “I wanted to come up with something that was accountable and responsible.”
The alternative fast-food restaurant also serves organic, free-range turkey and grass-fed beef. Their packaging is made from renewable resources that are recyclable, compostable or biodegradable, said Soboil.
Even the building design has kept green in mind, since O! Burger uses AFM lead-free, zero VOC Safecoat paint—the same kind used in schools and hospitals—and their wooden panels are reclaimed from a farm.
The Zoom Room on North La Brea Avenue, a canine training center and social club, is also environmentally friendly—from the design of the building to the products they sell. The building has bamboo and linoleum floors made from recycled materials, and the gym floor is made of recycled car tires.
The company also strives for a nearly paperless environment, with the gym’s schedule available online and displayed on an iPad, rather then printed out on paper, said COO Mark Van Wye.
“Our clients are so involved in responsible pet ownership, and that sense of stewardship naturally extends to the environment,” said Van Wye.
Many of the toys that the Zoom Room sells are made from recycled soda bottles or even fire hoses, and are American-made, he said.
“By providing toys that are essentially indestructible, they may last for a year, or two years or even longer, and that really reduces the amount of items in landfills,” Van Wye said.
Here is just a small sampling of sites where you can search for and learn more about green businesses:
- National Green Pages
- The Green Earth Directory
- Newsweek’s Green Rankings 2010
- Facebook: Supporting Green Companies
- Rainforest Alliance


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How brands are celebrating NAIDOC week 2021
NAIDOC Week is currently running (4 – 11th of July) with a theme of ‘Heal Country!’ – it is an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is also a chance for the whole community to listen, learn and support Indigenous peoples and ventures.
From a business perspective, the National NAIDOC Committee is actively championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to bring the week to life, partnering with a wide variety of companies.
This year Marketing takes a look at what brands and businesses are doing in Australia to recognise NAIDOC Week.
Facebook Australia and Campfire x
Facebook Australia has partnered with Indigenous Australian led creative consultancy Campfire x to share a discovery initiative called ‘Connect To Country’. The Connect to Country Facebook page has a range of storytelling resources, including videos teaching people how to acknowledge Country and tips for connecting with local community and language groups.
A pilot series of unique First Nations stories has also been launched. The series will be served to Facebook and Instagram users who live in corresponding areas, connecting them with the land they’re on.
“There are so many positive stories in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that need to be shared, and stories told by our own people,” says the co-founder of Campfire x Brad Cooke.
Australia Post recently updated its addressing guidelines to include traditional place names and Acknowledgement of Country. This idea was started in the community by Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail. It encourages people to recognise and consider the history and the connection that First Nation Peoples have to country.
In addition, it has shared a video on social media of Kaurna and Narungga artist and Australia Post employee Richard Brown, explaining what inclusion means for his community.
Woolworths Group has partnered with the National NAIDOC Committee to distribute the 2021 NAIDOC Week poster to Woolworths supermarkets and Metro stores nationally, to help communities across the country celebrate. Around 200,000 NAIDOC posters will be shared to 1,000 Woolworths outlets across the country. This year’s poster features the work of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Jean-Douglas and is titled ‘Care for Country’.
Network 10 has a range of programming around NAIDOC week like most broadcasters, but also made a simple but effective change to its regular schedule. The weather was presented a little differently on the 4th of July to kick-off the beginning of NAIDOC week and people took to social media to share their approval. Weather presenter Amanda Jason used the traditional Aboriginal names for cities, rather than colonial names when presenting the forecast.
— Mich-Elle Myers (@MichMyersMUA) July 4, 2021
Tourism Australia has launched a ‘Welcome To My Country’ video, featuring prominent Aboriginal Elders. The messaging promotes tourism experiences that connect travellers with the Traditional Custodians. Consumers are encouraged to connect with over 185 Aboriginal guided tourism offerings promoted by the ‘Discover Aboriginal Experiences’ marketing collective.
In addition to the campaign, Tourism Australia has shared its fourth Reconciliation Action Plan. The action plan includes strategic priorities and a framework for Tourism Australia to follow, allowing the organisation to better partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and businesses to achieve its goals. The plan includes a message of support from the CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Karen Mundine.
The national broadcaster is elevating Indigenous voices to promote NAIDOC week. It has created a promotional campaign running for the entire week, featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander journalists and presenters from the ABC. The staff share their personal experiences, acknowledging the importance of Indigenous storytelling all-year round.
Pinterest is highlighting its NAIDOC Week Shop in Australia, with several indigenous owned businesses featuring to make it easier for Pinterest users to discover and shop their products. The shop will run throughout the month of July for maximum exposure. From a content perspective, Pinterest is also promoting Indigenous creators, featuring their ‘Idea Pins’ across popular categories like cooking, beauty, food or fashion.
According to Pinterest, searches for NAIDOC Week Activities have increased by 80 percent , while searches for Indigenous activities for kids have increased by 25 times. Additionally, users are looking to glean inspiration from Indigenous artists, with searches for Aboriginal Art tripling.
The 2021 National NAIDOC Poster, ‘Care for Country’ is designed by Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie-Jean Douglas.


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Climate Center has launched a new transactional website that allows customers access to stock and pricing information, and the ability to order products online.
The website (www.climatecenter.co.uk) enables customers to view live stock information to check the availability of some 25,000 of products at branches across the UK, and then order directly via the web site.
Following investment in logistics, for the first time customers can place an order up to 8.00pm and have products delivered onsite the next day virtually anywhere in the UK*.
It offers four delivery options:
- Click-and-collect enables customers to order products online and pick up at their chosen branch within one hour;
- Standard delivery gives next day delivery for orders placed before 4.00pm; Express offers next-day delivery (as early as 10.30am) for orders placed up to 8.00pm;
- 24-hour call-out enables customers to pick up orders from specific branches after normal business hours.
In addition to stock checking, it enables customers to log on to their accounts and check their prices, order history, pending orders and invoices.
As well as complete coverage of Climate Center’s range of refrigeration and air conditioning products and accessories, the new site includes the company’s latest range of catering spares, recently added to the portfolio.
Robert Franklin, Climate Center’s national sales manager for refrigeration, said: “We have been working closely with customers on developing the site, to make sure it is easy to use and delivers the kind of information and functionality people need to support their business.
“I am pleased to say the feedback we have received from customers has been fantastic. The process has helped us further improve our service and, in particular, the options for delivery and speed of turnaround for orders.”
Climate Center customer RS Refrigeration has been helping with the development of the new web site. The Hampshire-based contractor has trialled various versions during the roll-out and provided feedback.
The new site is now live. Existing and new Climate Center customers can simply register and log on to access stock availability, pricing and ordering information.


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In 2022, Ukraine may face a deficit of vegetables due to the Russian invasion. According to experts, the supplies of eggplants, tomatoes and peppers will decrease the most. Therefore, the prices on these vegetables will increase.
The situation may worsen if the majority of migrants return to Ukraine: prices will rise even more.
According to the Victory Gardens, Ukraine will lose a significant share of crops – 71% of eggplant, 68% tomato, 58% pepper, 46% onion, 45% cucumber, 39% zucchini, 38% carrot, 38% potato, 35% beet and 32% cabbage.
Experts' calculations rely on data as of the end of March. Although the Russian troops withdrew from Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy, it is unlikely to cause a significant improvement.
Firstly, the fields in the liberated territory need to be de-mined.
Secondly, many vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers are grown in the south of the country, where a significant part of the territory remains occupied by Russians, many areas are under constant fire.
Thirdly, the cost of vegetable production is tied to the prices for energy, transportation, utility services, electricity, etc. which are growing.
What vegetables in Ukraine may rise in price and how much
Vegetable prices in Ukraine soared the moment a full-scale invasion started. According to the State Statistics Service, the prices in March 2022 against December 2021, jumped as follows:
- potato went up by 33.6% to 11.70 UAH per kilo,
- onion – by 60.6% to 19.42 UAH per kilo,
- beet – by 64.2% to 21.91 UAH per kilo,
- carrot doubled in price – up to 20.06 UAH per kilo,
- white cabbage also rose in price by 100% – to 23.34 UAH per kilo,
Prices for tomatoes rose sharply. According to minfin.com.ua, the portal which monitors prices in supermarkets, in April tomatoes went up by 53.22%, in March – by another 8.38%. The average price for red tomatoes on April 17 was 80.23 UAH per kilo, pink tomatoes – 157.20 UAH per kilo.
Price forecasts: Refugees and weather to affect cost of vegetables
At the same time, in different regions of Ukraine the production of some vegetables may exceed, while the others may face a shortage and price fluctuations, Inna Salo, Head of the Department of Pricing and Agricultural Market at the NSC Institute of Agrarian Economics, explained to Focus media.
Further dynamics of vegetable prices will depend on two factors: supply-and-demand balance, and weather, predicts Svitlana Lytvyn, an analyst at the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UABC).
"If the weather favors the farmers, there will be no significant increase in vegetable prices. Should many Ukrainians stay abroad, the demand will reduce. And even with a limited supply, prices will not skyrocket due to a decrease in the purchasing power of Ukrainians during the war and after its end," said Litvin.
However, if all forced migrants abruptly return to Ukraine, the shortage of vegetables may worsen, and prices will become unaffordable for most citizens.


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If a $10 billion company grows sales by $10 billion in a year, that’s spectacular growth. If a $100 billion company grows sales by $10 billion, that’s respectable growth.
If a $510 billion company grows sales by $10 billion in a year, that’s Walmart (NYSE:WMT). That’s growth of under 2%.
It’s not that Walmart had a bad 2019. For the quarter ending in January it had net income of $4.1 billion, $1.45 per fully diluted share, on revenue of $141.7 billion. For the year earnings were $14.9 billion, $5.19 per share fully diluted, on revenue of $524 billion.
The shares rose anyway. The question is, why?
Not a Growth Stock
At its Feb. 19 opening price of $119.50 per share, Walmart’s 53 cent per share dividend yields 1.8%. That’s less than the U.S. 30-year Treasury bond, which yields 2%.
The earnings show Walmart could easily raise that dividend, but no raise was offered in the company’s press release. What are investors seeing, other than safety?
In the release, Walmart brags that e-commerce sales were up 35%, and that growth at its Sam’s Club warehouses is accelerating. Placer.ai expected better, writing about its “growing strength” a day before earnings. Monthly store visits during the quarter were up 3%, Ethan Chernofsky wrote. But sales were up less than 2.1%.
Maybe there were just some bad boys and girls. CFO Brett Biggs simply said the Christmas season “wasn’t as strong as expected.” The guidance called “weak” was for 2021 growth of 2.5%, against expectations of 2.8%. Most companies would break out the champagne if they expected sales to rise $13.3 billion. For Walmart, it’s a downer.
I consider Walmart fully valued, with a market capitalization of $335 billion against revenue of $524 billion, a price-to-sales ratio of 0.6. I might change my view if it raised the dividend. Target (NYSE:TGT) is doing better, a market cap of $59.5 billion on sales of $77.7 billion, a price-to-sales ratio of 0.8. On the other hand, Target’s 66 cent per share dividend yields 2.2%.
That’s the point. Walmart shouldn’t be valued based on its growth. It should be valued based on its dividend. Walmart isn’t a great income stock. The dividend is up just 4 cents per share over the last five years. It’s also not a great investment for growth. The shares are up 40% over that period, against a 60% gain for the S&P 500.
But this is also a trick of numbers. Walmart is growing from a smaller base. Amazon’s net product sales grew by $18.5 billion in 2019, more than all of Walmart’s sales. Walmart’s revenue remains nearly double that of Amazon.
Walmart also boosts its e-commerce estimates by counting grocery pick-ups as e-commerce. The company is still losing money in e-commerce.
So why are we talking about it? Because Walmart wants us to.
The Bottom Line on Walmart Stock
Don’t be fooled by all the talk. Walmart is an income stock, and not a very good one.
It is a safe pick. If Walmart sales catch cold, it’s because the U.S. economy has pneumonia.
But it’s hard to be a growth stock from a base of $520 billion in sales, with 26% of the grocery business. Analysts, and the company, should stop pretending otherwise.
Dana Blankenhorn has been a financial and technology journalist since 1978. His latest book is Technology’s Big Bang: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Moore’s Law, essays on technology available at the Amazon Kindle store. Follow him on Twitter at @danablankenhorn. As of this writing he owned shares in AMZN.


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This story originally appeared on Thistle and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
15 stats about food waste
Food waste is a big problem. In the United States, roughly 30% to 40% of food is wasted each year. Some of this food is wasted before it is ever harvested, while other food is wasted by consumers who throw it away.
Beyond the loss of food, this waste also has significant environmental and climate impacts. To uncover 15 fascinating statistics about food waste, Thistle analyzed numerous reports produced by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United Nations, and the Food and Drug Administration. These reports reveal metrics ranging from how much food goes to landfills annually to how much water and land are used to produce the food that gets thrown away each year.
Despite these sobering statistics, there are programs and initiatives looking at how to reduce food waste locally and globally. Many restaurants, supermarkets, and other businesses donate their food waste to food banks, where it is redistributed to those in need. Industrial food waste is sometimes repurposed as animal feed. And some households compost their food waste. Still, much of the world’s food waste ends up in landfills, where it produces methane, a greenhouse gas. When it comes to food waste, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Food waste is estimated to be up to 40% of the US food supply
In the United States, an estimated 30% to 40% of the food supply is wasted, according to the FDA. This is a problem for a number of reasons. First of all, it costs a lot of money—more than $400 billion in 2019, according to ReFed. In addition, all the water, energy, and labor used to produce this wasted food could have been reallocated for consumption instead of lost.
This wasted food makes up 18% of all cropland use, 14% of freshwater used, and 4% of U.S. greenhouse gas usage. While food waste has always been a problem, it has gotten worse over the past 50 years. In 1960, 12.2 million tons of food waste was generated. To compare, that number was 63 million tons in 2018.
Wasted food comprises 24% of US landfills
In the United States, more than 35 million Americans live in food insecure environments, yet the EPA estimates that in 2018, there was more food waste in American landfills than any other single material, making up 24% of those landfills.
This is not just a humanitarian issue, but also a serious climate issue. Reducing the amount of food that goes into landfills would help address climate change since food waste that decomposes in landfills releases methane—a greenhouse gas nearly 30 times as potent as carbon dioxide. And since 20% of U.S. methane emissions come from landfills, reducing food waste in landfills would help lessen methane emissions.
Americans waste 219 pounds of food per person annually
What all this food waste means on an individual level is that each American wastes an average of 219 pounds of food each year—that is as if each person in the United States threw out over 650 apples each year, according to RTS. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA announced the goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030 to help address this problem and to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The federal government will work with communities, organizations, and businesses along with local, state, and tribal governments to reach this goal. Businesses and organizations that make a public commitment to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030 can become U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions.
Nearly 7% of planted fields in the US are not harvested each year
Food can be wasted on the consumer end, but it is also sometimes wasted before it is even harvested at the farm. On average each year, 7% of planted fields in the United States are not harvested. This number varies widely between locations and crops, and it’s possible that at a particular operation, up to 50% might not be harvested.
An estimate by Feeding America shows that more than 6 billion pounds of fresh produce end up unharvested or unsold each year. And even harvested fields have food wastage, as produce that does not pass certain quality standards in terms of shape, size, ripeness, and color will be left behind.
51% of the US industrial sector’s wasted food goes to animal feed
The U.S. industrial sector includes food and beverage manufacturers and processors, and according to the EPA, generated around 39.8 million tons of wasted food in 2018. Of this wasted food, 51% was used in animal feed. Turning this waste into animal feed can be a good solution that helps manage the waste, conserve resources, and mitigate some effects of climate change. Compared to other sectors analyzed by the EPA, the industrial sector has a lower percentage of food going to landfills as opposed to commercial, institutional and residential sectors.
US households generate 25 million tons of food waste yearly
A study from the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that the annual cost of the 25 million tons of food wasted by U.S. households is $240 billion, or $1,866 per household. The study also found that higher-income families waste more food than lower-income families. These families who waste more food also tend to have healthier diets, because they eat more fruits and vegetables, which are more perishable items. Some of the waste then comes from the food spoiling before the households have a chance to eat it.
Two-thirds of U.S. household food waste goes to landfills
Of the 25 million tons of wasted food, the majority—66%—goes to landfills. Another 15% is combusted, and another 15% to sewer/wastewater treatment. This takes place when food waste goes into the food waste disposal in the kitchen sink.
The disposal churns the food into a liquid slurry that then moves through the sewer system to the treatment plant, where it is broken down through a process called anaerobic digestion. This produces biogas, which can be captured and used for energy, or biosolids, which can be made into fertilizer. Only 3% of residential food waste gets composted.
33% of US retail and wholesale food waste ends up in landfills
The commercial sector, which includes food retail, food wholesale, and hospitality, generates around 12.7 million tons of food waste each year. One-third, or 4.2 million tons of that wasted food, ends up in landfills.
Nearly a quarter, 21%, of wasted food is donated to help feed the hungry through organizations like Feeding America. This food is rescued from restaurants and supermarkets, and collected and brought to food banks. Another 14% is sent for animal feed, and another 14% used for energy and fertilizer using co-digestion/anaerobic digestion.
Restaurants and food service accounts for 17.1 million tons of food waste
The hospitality sector generates an estimated 18.3 million tons of food waste each year. Of that food waste, restaurants and food service businesses account for 93%. Just over half (52%) of the food waste generated by the hospitality industry ends up in landfills.
To help restaurants reduce food waste, the Natural Resources Defense Council recommends that cities should involve the food service sector in their efforts to reduce food waste. It produced the Tackling Food Waste in Cities: A Policy and Program Toolkit to offer guidance. Already cities like Nashville, Tennessee, and Denver have engaged restaurants in efforts to fight food waste using challenges that encourage businesses to adopt certain practices.
Food banks only generate 426,057 tons of food waste
Food banks are only a small generator of food waste. This tonnage is already accounted for in the estimates for other sectors, because those sectors donate their wasted food to food banks. This means that of the food donated by other industries, 426,057 tons cannot be redistributed and ends up wasted. Around 66% of this waste ends up in landfills.
Only 4.1% of wasted food in the US is composted
Of all the food waste, around 2.6 million tons is composted. Compost is created by combining organic material and waste, including food waste. This is then used by gardeners and farmers to improve the physical properties of soil. Composting not only benefits gardens and farms, but it also lowers methane emissions because the food used in composting does not go to landfills. Compost also enhances water retention in soil and sequesters carbon.
Global food waste creates 3.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas
If food waste were a country, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases after the United States and China. Global food waste creates 3.6 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually. If the entire planet were able to stop wasting food completely, 8% of total emissions would be eliminated.
Whether food is wasted before purchase or by consumers depends on where you live. In lower-income countries, 40% of food is wasted after it’s harvested, but before it actually makes it into people’s homes. In middle- and high-income countries however, it is estimated that consumers are more responsible—53% of food wasted in Europe and 47% of food wasted in Canada is by consumers.
To produce the amount of food Americans waste requires three times the water volume of Lake Geneva
When food is wasted, the food itself is not just lost, but also the resources it took to grow and process it. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that the amount of food Americans waste uses enough water to fill Switzerland’s Lake Geneva three times.
Globally, 45 trillion gallons of water are used every year for wasted food. That means that 24% of all water used for agriculture ends up essentially being wasted. And freshwater is already a scarce resource that is diminishing fast and will only become more in jeopardy with rising temperatures.
28% of the world’s agricultural area is used to produce wasted food
As with water, land used to grow wasted food is also wasted. Twenty-eight percent, or 3.5 billion acres, of the world’s agricultural land is used to produce food that ends up being tossed away. Again, similarly to water, land that is good for growing crops is becoming more scarce, so each time food is wasted, some of that land and the inputs used to grow them are wasted as well.
“Food waste is a big deal,” said Timothy Searchinger, a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute and a Princeton University researcher, in a Washington Post article on the subject. “It results in large increases in land use demands, other inputs, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Global food waste could feed 2 billion people a year
Along with the wasted resources, the loss of the food itself is also extremely important, especially as 815 million people worldwide do not have enough to eat. The amount of food that is wasted globally every year could feed 2 million people—over three times as many as the amount who go hungry.
Hunger is more complicated than food waste, however—the reasons so many people go hungry in a world that produces enough food for 10 billion people has more to do with economics and inequality. Still, given the social and environmental impacts of food waste, it is an important problem to try to fix.
There's still a significant way to go in reducing our food waste. Education is a key component to that effort, with promising actions already underway from the top-down. From corporations to consumers, there is work being done to reduce food waste; from better inventory tracking and transportation to buying local and establishing compost initiatives. Donating food waste to food banks or even local farms keeps it out of the waste stream; and meal planning, sticking to grocery lists, and composting scraps will help keep food waste out of your kitchen at home.


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The rebound in the French automotive market is not yet here.
In July, the country recorded 115,713 new car registrations, up from 178,980 a year earlier.
After a month of June already in sharp decline, July thus accentuates the trend with a decline of 35.4% over one year.
The fall is 32.8% compared to the pre-crisis level in 2019.
Renault is reaping the first fruits of its recovery plan
This sharp decline is explained both by the disappointing volume of orders in the first quarter of 2021, delivery delays linked to the persistent shortage of semiconductors, as well as a high basis of comparison in July 2020, which marked a catching-up. after the release of the first confinement.
Regulatory changes, such as the announced end of heat engines, also affect consumer behavior.
Despite the drop in bonuses granted for the purchase of electrified models (from 2,000 to
1,000 euros on July 1), this type of engine has continued to gain ground in recent months.
They represented almost one in three sales in the first half, against 18% in 2020. Among the purely electric models, the Tesla Model 3 remained in July the best-selling car in France, for the fifth consecutive month, in front of the little Renault Zoé.
Renault: how the manufacturer wants to bounce back after a black year
Faced with uncertainty over supplies of electronic components and a fragile health situation, the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA), which forecast a 9% to 10% rebound in the market in 2021, will review its estimate in September.
The manufacturer Renault warned Friday that the shortage of chips should cause it to lose the production of 200,000 cars worldwide in 2021.
Last year, new car registrations in France fell to 1.65 million, against 2.21 million in 2019. “
We think it may be difficult to reach 1.8 million sales this year,
”a CCFA spokesperson explained.


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Circle, a global internet finance firm that provides internet-based payments and financial infrastructure to businesses of all sizes, and the principal operator of USD Coin (USDC), today announced the listing of native USDC on TRON (TRC20 token) on Binance – the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange platform.
Users can now deposit and trade native USDC on TRON (TRC20) on Binance exchange, and readily withdraw USDC on TRON to external TRON-supported wallets. The availability of USDC on TRON on Binance builds upon USDC’s global accessibility, providing a seamless experience for millions of users to access the world’s fastest-growing dollar digital currency.
USDC is fully backed by cash and short-duration U.S. Treasuries, ensuring that USDC is always redeemable 1:1 for U.S. dollars. Grant Thorton, a leading global accounting firm, publishes monthly attestation reports regarding USDC reserve balances.
“We’re excited to see USDC available across an increasing number of exchanges, making it easier than ever to access dollar digital currency liquidity,” said Gee Chuang, Principal Product Manager at Circle. “As the TRON ecosystem continues to grow, we believe that USDC will become an even more important part of transferring value simply and efficiently on-chain.”
With more than $42B USDC in circulation as of December 2021, USDC offers frictionless, secure and interoperable access to capital markets, global trade, payments and modern commerce – all at the speed of the internet. USDC on Tron enables users to transact, store, and exchange value across TRON-based protocols and decentralized apps (dApps).
Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Circle is the principal operator of USD Coin (USDC), the leading dollar digital currency powering always-on internet-native commerce and payments with a circulation greater than $42 billion and over $1.5 trillion in on-chain transactions. Today, Circle’s transactional services, business accounts, and platform APIs are giving rise to a new generation of financial services and commerce applications that hold the promise of raising global economic prosperity for all through the frictionless exchange of financial value. Additionally, Circle operates SeedInvest, one of the largest startup fundraising platforms in the U.S.
TRON is dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and decentralized applications (dApps). Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized services boasting nearly 100M monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years, with over 69 million users on the blockchain and upwards of 2.3 billion transactions. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of stablecoins across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum in April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in Dec 2021 and is now a purely community-governed DAO.


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Virtual reality is helping make experiential marketing scalable, but do consumers actually want these types of experiences?
The term surreal estate comes from Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction novel Ready Player One which is played out in the Oasis, a virtual universe where people pay real money for virtual property, and are paid real currency for virtual activities. Brands are using virtual reality (VR) to immerse consumers into another dimension – a virtual environment where they can spend real money.
The exciting thing about VR is it produces a change in state – you feel different when you take the headset off. “We’re so anaesthetised to marketing, that to produce a change in state is very exciting,” says Jonathon Palmer, head of strategy at digital agency Omobono.
“The future is about being there, albeit virtually – fusing the real and the digital spaces,” adds Martin Hollywood, lead creative technologist at Razorfish London. Like Cline’s Oasis, sophisticated, commercial VR is an immersive experience.
Experiential marketing isn’t new – but VR helps make it scalable (and apps make it trackable). The opportunities to develop real brand collateral become more interesting as VR makes experiential marketing immersive and interactive.
VR is already winning at sport, first through in-game advertising and product placement – within the Fifa game, for example. This is surreal estate, as brands are paying real money for virtual billboards which have different production values, but target real consumers. And the brands that advertise on virtual billboards and within VR experiences are not the same brands that appear on the stadium billboards because they are targeting a different market segment....
Do consumers want this type of experience? And does it drive brand engagement? Jason Alan Snyder, chief technology officer at Momentum Worldwide, which produced the Verizon Indie Car experience whereby people can watch live action via VR, believes it does. “Consumers have realised that advertising is fake and VR can create real experiences,” he says.
VR extends experiential marketing by physically bring users into the game. The first live action VR experience – created by Momentum Worldwide for American Express VR at the US Open – enabled fans to play tennis with a professional athlete and was a huge success, attracting over 1bn media impressions worldwide. Since then, Snyder has worked with Verizon on immersive sports experiences. Blending VR with physical reality made experiential marketing particularly memorable for american football fans trying this VR installation.
Hardware is not the greatest challenge – while Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets are used mostly by gamers, Verizon and other brands offer walk-in experiences at events. Most mainstream consumers experience VR via their smartphones, using a Google cardboard reader, which is a popular brand giveaway (the New York Times has given away almost 1m in six months).
Price highlights additional potential: smartphones offer the possibility of payment processing and links to products and services that may be featured in the VR experience. All VR needs is an in-world payment gateway to enable in-world purchases and then we will get even closer to the surreal estate envisaged in Ready Player One.
What will happen when the VR novelty wears off? How much of the impact is down to what Virtual Futures director Luke Robert Mason terms ‘VRginity’, whereby brands are competing to be people’s first VR experience – the one they will never forget? Mason sees ongoing challenges arising around content – the challenge for brands is not around people’s ‘first time’, but the fact that most VR experiences are best the first time you try them.
Snyder believes that it is still early days for VR and branding: “VR is about what brands are doing for people, rather than what they are saying.” He adds that the potential is limitless because as yet there are no standards in VR user experience (UX) design....


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Indonesia's parliament enacted legislation on October 9 finalising the legal framework for investment in the special economic zones on three islands in the Riau archipelago south of Singapore. The new bill, which amends the law on free port and trade areas, gives full free trade zone (FTZ) status to the region.
The Riau island of Batam has benefited from a limited FTZ status since the 1980s, with certain exemptions on export-oriented production. A trade agreement signed with Singapore in June 2006 established the two countries' intention of expanding the zone to include the neighbouring islands of Bintan and Karimun, though no clear guidelines were established at the time.
The new bill delineating the Batam Bintan Karimun (BBK) FTZ will further minimise bureaucratic and administrative hurdles in the shipping of goods in and out of the islands. All import taxes, Customs duties, VAT and luxury goods tax will be phased out. The zone includes a one-stop shop for investors, offering business permits, tax payments and immigration services. Business permits will be scheduled for delivery in less than two weeks.
"Electronics companies and textiles companies, for example, find it very competitive to site themselves in the BBK special economic zone to make use of the lower cost of land, as well as other resources and utilities," Lim Hng Kiang, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, told OBG. "Meanwhile they can leverage off Singapore's advantage when it comes to financial infrastructure."
Each island will focus on certain specialities. Batam will act as a platform for IT, electronics, mechanics and shipbuilding. Bintan is set to attract investment in tourism, textiles and footwear, while Karimun will specialise in agribusiness, marine products and metal works. To alleviate pressures on human resources, a tripartite labour committee has been established within the FTZ to facilitate employment and training.
Domestic companies based in Jakarta have voiced criticism of the bill, claiming it gives unfair advantage to companies based in the BBK region. In addition, companies that produce for the local market have said the bill leaves their needs unanswered, as it provides advantages mainly for export-oriented producers. Despite opposition from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, headed by former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who raised these concerns in parliament, the bill was approved by a landside majority by the nine other political factions represented in parliament.
Investment in Batam alone reached $4.5bn in 2006 and the trend is set to accelerate. The Batam Industrial Development Authority forecasts that the BBK zone will attract $15bn in new investment over the next five years. Of this sum, an expected 60% is expected to come from Singapore-based investors.
In the midst of growing competition from other FTZs in the region, such as the Iskandar Development Region in Malaysia and similar FTZs in China and India, a sense of urgency was felt by Indonesian authorities.
"The Indonesian government has embarked on this new experiment of establishing special economic zones (SEZs), and they chose the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) SEZ as one of the prototypes," Kiang told OBG. "To that end they have promulgated legislation on FTZs, not only clarifying the procedures by which investments would be approved in BBK but also laying out the incentives for investing there, particularly the tax incentives."
The Indonesian government plans to roll out the Riau model to 11 more zones across Indonesia, from Sumatra to Sulawesi and Java.
"The partnership works well for both Singapore and Indonesia," Kiang told OBG. "We hope that this being the prototype, the Indonesian government would then be able to replicate that in other parts of Indonesia."


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PlayStation is putting more effort into branding its first-party studio games under the ‘PlayStation Studios’ umbrella.
The company has debuted a new Marvel Studios-style opening video on PlayStation’s YouTube channel. It features PlayStation-owned characters from series like Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, God of War, The Last of Us and more.
The video will be used for advertising and promotional media when the PS5 launches this holiday season. The PlayStation Studios logo will appear on box art and with games that Sony is developing in-house with its first-party teams.
“We think this is a good way to let consumers know that, if they see it, then the quality games they’ve come to expect from us are here,” Sony Interactive Entertainment senior vice president and head of global marketing, Eric Lempel said in an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz.
“And this brand will exist for well-known existing franchises. As well as brand new franchises that we have yet to explore.”
Lapel adds that the branding won’t be just exclusive to Sony-produced games on PlayStation consoles, but other platforms as well. Therefore, if a Sony-produced game finds its way to a platform like PC then the PlayStation Studio branding will also be present there.
That branding won’t be on display when Horizon: Zero Dawn launches on PC this year, but it will be for future ports. For PlayStation’s console games, there is no word on which game the branding will make its debut. The new branding won’t show up for PS4 games The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima, which are set to release on June 19th and July 17th, respectively.
Image credit: PlayStation


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Owing to the new GST norms, the Haryana City Gas Distribution Limited increased the rates from Rs 42.1 per kg to Rs 43.75 per kg.
CNG users in Gurgaon — and across Delhi-NCR — are worried. Owing to the new GST norms, the Haryana City Gas Distribution Limited (HCGDL) has increased the rates from Rs 42.1 per kg to Rs 43.75 per kg.
However, it still remains economical when compared to petrol or diesel.
“No one understands the ordeal we have to go through waiting in long queues for getting CNG filled. The number of CNG pumps is not too many, neither is the supply enough,” said Naresh Kumar, a cab driver.
CNG prices have been revised periodically, costing 27.50 per kg initially.
“At one point, we felt CNG would be economical — but the gap between petrol and CNG prices is fast reducing,” complained Mayank Gandhi, a resident of Sector 14.


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Fedster + 1,307 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Digital forensics hindered by anti-hacker update. The task of seizing phones to extract data for investigations could be made more difficult - or even impossible - due to an iPhone security update. Apple says it will change iPhone settings to block a method used by police and intelligence agencies to break into devices. The tech giant explained the handsets will now be programmed to cut off communication through the charging port when a phone has not been unlocked for more than an hour to provide better protection to its customers. At least 28 forces in the UK are using Cellebrite’s Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED), which can quickly crack through mobile phone passcodes – other than iPhones - to obtain everything from text messages to GPS data in minutes, simply by connecting them to a laptop-sized device. The company also provides an “advanced unlocking service” to crack the complex security of iPhones and iPads. However, once Apple’s toughened security measures come into force, it will mean after the hour passes, these techniques could no longer work. In a statement, Apple said: "We're constantly strengthening the security protections in every Apple product to help customers defend against hackers, identity thieves and intrusions into their personal data. “We have the greatest respect for law enforcement, and we don’t design our security improvements to frustrate their efforts to do their jobs." Apple says it began working on the issue before learning such technology was being used by police. In 2016, the company clashed with the FBI in a high profile case over encryption and data privacy after it refused to help it access the iPhone of a mass murderer. A federal judge asked Apple to help the FBI unlock the device belonging to Syed Farook, who was responsible for the shootings in San Bernardino which left 14 people dead. Despite this, the FBI still managed to hack into his phone by other means. A spokesman from Cellebrite said it would not be commenting on the matter. Charity Privacy International, which labelled the technology as a “draconian stop and search tool,” is continuing to campaign for oversight on the use of Cellebrite amid concerns it cannot filter what needs to be obtained, thus extracting the entire contents of the phone. View On Police Oracle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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60 Winners Made Official In First Big Sleigh Drawing
Sixty Missouri Lottery winners are now official in the first of three Big Sleigh Giveaway drawings. The winners, whose names and hometowns are posted at molottery.com, won: four first prizes of the winner’s choice of either a $4,500 travel certificate plus $500 spending cash or a $5,000 home furnishings certificate; six second-prizes of the winner’s choice of a $1,000 travel certificate plus $500 cash or a 50-inch television; and 50 third prizes of $500 cash.
"I’m sure the 60 winners are quite happy to win a prize during the holiday season," said Jennifer Kempker, promotions manager for the Missouri Lottey. "The great news is that there are still two more drawings, just like this one, including a drawing for a grand-prize 2004 Lincoln AviatorŪ."
The second drawing was held today in the Lottery’s Jefferson City office. An unofficial list can be found the Lottery’s Web site. Players have until Jan. 9, 2004, to enter the third and final drawing. All entries received for the three drawings will be included in the Grand Prize Drawing on Jan. 15 for the Aviator.
To enter the remaining drawing, players can either mail $10 worth of Scratchers tickets from the five eligible holiday games to the Lottery, drop them off at a Lottery office, or they can enter numbers from those tickets on the Lottery’s Web site. Entries can be mailed to: Big Sleigh Giveaway, Missouri Lottery, P.O. Box 104711, Jefferson City, Mo., 65110-4711.
Scratchers games eligible for the promotion are: game 487, "Ring in the Holidays!," a $1 game; game 486, "Holiday Jack," a $2 game; game 485, "Jingle Bell Bingo," a $2 game; game 484, "Merry Money," a $5 game; and game 483, "$300,000 Season?s Greetings," a $10 game.
For more information, visit www.molottery.com.


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Groveton vendor concerned mill demolition company is undercapitalized
Randy Beaton, who owns and operates Beaton Rental in Groveton, told the select board that he has had checks bounce or payment stopped by customers who apparently are not themselves being paid by mill-site owner Green Steel of Scottsdale, Ariz., or some of its subcontractors.
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Okay, I didn’t see this coming: Boxee has rebranded its new consumer electronics device just five months after it first became available. The $100 device, which combines live TV and cloud DVR functionality with apps like Netflix, (s NFLX) is now being called Boxee Cloud DVR, after previously being marketed as Boxee TV. The company also used the rebrand to unveil a free service tier for its DVR.
The new Boxee Cloud DVR box offers users unlimited storage for their TV recordings in the cloud. Unlimited playback, as well as the capability to view recordings on computers and mobile devices, costs users $10 a month. The new free service tier offers up ro five hours of DVR playback every month. There is still a free test period while the service is in beta.
So why did Boxee take the unusual step to rebrand a product just months after launch? The company’s VP of communications Andrew Kippen told me Tuesday that the previous name didn’t accurately capture the device’s functionality, letting consumers to believe that it was primarily a media player similar to Apple (S AAPL) TV or Roku. The new name is meant to emphasize the DVR functionality as a key differentiator.
However, It’s worth noting that the company’s DVR service is currently just available in eight markets. Kippen told me that the plan is to extend the service to 26 markets by the end of the year, which should cover most of the country.
As part of the rebrand, Boxee seems to also have toned down its cord cutting rhetoric. The company made its ability to replace cable a key selling point when it unveiled its new device last fall, even promising “Free TV” prominently on the Boxee TV packaging.
On its newly-launched website, Boxee instead compares the device to TiVos and cable DVRs, touting unlimited storage and not free broadcast content as the key differentiator. That has likely to do with the fact that Boxee wants to get access to cable content as well. The company struck an agreement with Comcast (s CMCSK) to access encrypted basic cable signals last year.
That’s a decidedly different path than the one taken by Aereo, which has been battling Comcast’s NBC and other boradcasters in court for its take on cloud TV. Check out our paidContent Live conference in New York next week for a fireside chat with Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia.
Take a look my Boxee Cloud DVR unboxing video below:


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Microsoft, the Redmond based software giant has undergone a re-branding exercise, and has changed its logo. The outgoing logo came into effect in the year 1987, and has seen the company scale heights for around 25 years now.
The new logo is in line with the new design language that the company has assumed, and also coincides with the launch of Windows mobile, and Windows 8 for a slew of devices, and a lot of software upgrades as well.
We examine the changes in the logo, and we find that the new logo is simple, yet elegant.
The symbol, the colored windows icon, perfectly complements the other products like Office, Skype, and Xbox. While reflecting the simple tile based interface of Nokia Lumia fame. (Nokia Lumia is powered by windows mobile)
The logotype, does away with italics, is clean and straight, hinting at changes at management level? perhaps, to take on the likes of Apple. It is simple and clear to read, much modern than the previous logo.
Changing brand identity, is both a difficult and tricky task. However, by adapting the said design language across all its products, Microsoft hopes to pump fresh blood into the company, giving it the right amounts of vigor, vitality, and adrenaline, to take on the modern day rivals. The logo shall be used by Microsoft for all its future products, and marketing campaigns, and is currently found on Microsoft's website.
Image Credit: Microsoft FB Page


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Riding on the success of recent launches like Honor 7X, View 10, Honor has notched up the number 1 online brand position in China as per Sino research and is looking to replicate success in India with strong product pipeline and customer centricity
Honor recently concluded 4 years in China and the young brand has already created waves by clocking some impressive numbers in China and is rapidly growing in other global markets. Between January and November 2017, Honor had shipped a total of 49.7 million handsets in China with sales exceeding US$10.9 billion, according to Sino-Market Research. The company announced it shipped 73 million smartphones worldwide in the first half of 2017 in July, an increase of 20.6% Year-on-Year.Currently, Honor’s overseas business contributes 15% of our total revenue which is growing rapidly.
Honor has named India as is key focus market and is looking to replicate this success in India which is clearly demonstrated by the company through the overhaul that it has brought o its India strategy. After 2 successful products, Honor 7X and View 10, the company today sent out invites for the launch of a new product, the Honor 9 Lite for 17th January in New Delhi.
In a short span of less than a month Honor has launched 2 successful smartphone models in India the Honor 7X and View 10 both of which have been strongly lauded by consumers and have superseded all previous sales numbers. The Honor 7X has already clocked 4 million global numbers and is the bestseller on Amazon India and was the Amazon Choice smartphone and this success was followed by Honor View 10 clocking 5 times more sales than its predecessor 8 Pro on its maiden sales day in India.
Delivering on its promise of rich smartphone experience for Indian consumers, Honor has become very aggressive in bringing updates be it for the latest Android versions or its own EMUI and also recently announced EMUI 8.0 to enhance user experience. Additionally, Honor also strengthened its service capabilities by adding 4 more exclusive service centers to cater to after-sales service.


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Viewpoint: More women needed in technology
Walk into most tech companies and you'll be greeted by the same picture - a room made up entirely of men. You can practically smell the testosterone.
The technology industry is still struggling to shake off the image of the male, pizza-guzzling, antisocial nerd - a perception that initiatives like this month's Ada Lovelace day - which celebrates the role of women in technology - and Lady Geek's "Little Miss Geek" campaign, are striving to change.
There is no doubt that tech is overwhelmingly male.
Although women fill close to half of all jobs in the US economy, they hold less than 25% of jobs in the science and technology sector, according to a government report. In the UK, the problem is even worse: currently only 17% of jobs in the technology sector are held by women. Both numbers are declining year-on-year.
But in a world where women are buying more tech products than ever before (four in 10 are now bought by women, according to Forrester Research) why on earth should anyone care?
So long as shiny new gadgets keep flying off the shelves, what does it matter who's making them?
It's all very well appealing to a tech chief exec's sense of social injustice - but the bottom line is that they are running a business. What do they care about gender diversity, really? We ultimately need to appeal to the thing that matters most: their wallets.
It's great that women are buying more technology than ever before, but tech companies can't sit back: they should be focusing their energy on getting the most out of this flourishing market.
The Harvard Business Review has calculated that marketing to women represents a bigger financial opportunity than India and China combined. We're talking serious money here.
That's why every chief executive should be made aware of the following stat: tech companies with more women on their management teams have a 34% higher return on investment.
The reasons are obvious. Diversity is important in any industry, but is especially relevant when it comes to technology. Tech is the way that world talks to each other. People have never emailed, liked, commented, called, messaged and tweeted more than we are doing right now. And guess what? Half of all those people are women.
The days of gadgets being boys' toys are dead as the dodo. The majority of tech products must be developed to appeal to as many people as possible, of either gender. For that, there can be no room for guesswork. Men and women must both be in the room.
It's not that we believe women are better or more effective than men - they just simply provide a different point of view, something that is vital when bringing a new product to market.
Pink it, shrink it
Examples of getting it wrong are abundant: A common 'for-the-ladies' strategy is to take last year's product, re-release it at a slightly lower-price point, slightly smaller and clad in pink plastic.
This pink it and shrink it approach represents typically shallow thinking about gender and usually only appeals to younger (lower income) women. Getting design right takes a lot more thought but yields bigger dividends.
Dr Gloria Moss, a gender marketing expert, confirms that when targeting women, having female input on the design team is crucial: "In design preference tests, I've always found extremely strong statistical evidence for 'same-sex preference'. Men tend to prefer the designs that men produce, and women prefer the designs that women produce."
In other words, it's no use burying our heads in the sand and pretending that a male-dominated team will get it right for women. Most of the time they won't.
It's time to change things. Any chief executive with half an ounce of sense should be putting their blood, sweat and tears into ensuring that the make-up of their company mirrors the make-up of their market.
It's no use blaming old-fashioned stereotypes about women not possessing the right skillsets, or simply not wanting to work in tech.
In many Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, Estonia and Latvia - also referred to the Geek Nations' - the technology gender divide is less prevalent.
It's partly historic - during the communist era, all women were encouraged to work - but also that technology is perceived as a rewarding and well-paid career for women. If these countries can get talented women creating their tech products, then so can we.
The Little Miss Geek campaign is doing something about it - providing a 10-point practical manifesto to help tech companies attract and retain the next generation of women.
Sooner or later tech companies will wake up to the fact that getting more women through the door is imperative for business.
Those that do will reap the benefits, and the rest will be left behind, eating pizza, wondering why everyone else is making so much money.
Belinda Parmar is the author of Little Miss Geek, a book assessing the ways in which more women can become part of the technology industry. She can be followed on Twitter here, and more information about the campaign can be found here.


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This year entrepreneurs are really hopeful to get good funding. With dozens of funding deals and crowd funding happening almost every day, the future seems to be well lit.
The first thing that comes to any entrepreneur’s mind while kick starting his/her business is- From where do I get enough money? The answer is very simple- Go for Fundraising. With investors being bearish in 2016, it had not been a really great year for Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs. But this year, if we talk of franchising and fund raising, entrepreneurs are really hopeful this year to get good funding. With dozens of funding deals and crowd funding happening almost every day, the future seems to be well lit. Here’s a peep into the various facets of fund raising and how this trend is taking the industry ahead.
You should have a great plan ready to attract people to invest in your business. One of India’s recognised crowd funding platform, Wishberry has a 70% success rate for creative projects. It’s Co-Founder and CEO, Priyanka Agarwal told us: ‘In less than a decade, crowdfunding has emerged as the ideal method to democratise the fund raising process for creative artists and budding entrepreneurs. It not only helps project creators raise funds, but also helps spread awareness, and map the acceptance for their project in the process. Raising funds through crowdfunding provides the funders with the initial financial resources to develop and put their work in front of the world.’
Big players in the league too
Lenskart.com, also raised funding from Premji Invest, the investment office of Azim Premji. With this investment, Premji Invest joins other marquee investors like IFC (venture capital arm of World Bank), TPG Growth, IDG Ventures, Unilazer Ventures, Adveq on the company’s cap table. Peyush Bansal, CEO and Founder, Lenskart said: ‘With this collaboration, the company will be able to draw on Premji Invest’s extensive experience, particularly in retail and creating long lasting brands to realise its potential and develop best practices. We intend to grow strategically thereby strengthening our presence via both online and offline channels.’
Lenskart has been funded by three venture capitalists till date, namely IDG Ventures ($4 million in October 2011) and Ronnie Screwvala-led Unilazer Ventures ($10 million in February 2013) and TPG Growth & TR Capital ($22 million in January 2015). Last year, Motilal Oswal Private Equity Investment Advisors had invested Rs 110 crore in Bengaluru-based Dairy Classic Ice Creams Pvt. Ltd. Despite a huge demand, the ice-cream space in the country had not seen many deals in the recent past. In July, Drums Food International Pvt. Ltd, which sells Hokey Pokey ice cream, raised Rs 44.5 crore in a Series A round of funding led by Belgian investment firm Verlinvest. Aditya Birla Bizlabs, Aditya Birla Groups initiative mandate was to collaborate with innovative startups and provide them with the opportunity to scale up in a large operating business environment. Aditya Birla Bizlabs received over 1,200 proposals across the sectors of Retail, Financial Services, Mobility and Data Analytics & New Tech. These pitches were carefully evaluated and subsequently filtered down to 20+ startups, which have collaborated with the Aditya Birla Group for possible scaling up opportunities.
First generation entrepreneurs opting for franchising
Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (RCED) promotes entrepreneurship in and around Punjab. Its Principal Director, Paramjit Singh informed: ‘Fund raising is extremely important in a franchising business. Most of the first generation young entrepreneurs opt for the franchising model of business to ensure that they succeed. Generally, they have limited resources with them to begin with. Thus, they depend on borrowed funds from different sources. In number of countries funds are raised by the new startups through the concept of angel funding.’Amongst many franchise brands, Goli Vada Pav is one that is soon set to launch an institute for vadapav making. The brand is looking to raise another round of funding this year of Rs 50-75 crore. Goli Vada Pav is expanding fast via franchise model and shows its presence in around 90 cities.
Various schemes by the Govt of India
RCED completely supports the prospective entrepreneurs for the requirement of funding. They are assisted to apply for various schemes which are specially meant for them. Government of India is extending different incentives in shape of subsidies and tax rebates to them. Presently, youngsters are being motivated to apply under 2 important schemes of the Govt. of India, namely Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme and Stand Up India. Under the PMEGP scheme, the loan assistance upto Rs. 25 Lakh is available where subsidies from 25-35% of the total cost of the project is provided and the prospective entrepreneur has to contribute on the 5-10% as promoters contribution.
Paramjit Singh added: ‘Stand Up India scheme was launched in 2016 with an objective to create entrepreneurship among women and SC/ST candidates. Loan amount ranging from Rs 10-100 lakh is sanctioned without any security. Under this scheme, Govt is targeting to extend loan of Rs 2.50 lakh to first generation entrepreneurs.’
College students are seeking fast success and opting for entrepreneurship as their career choice. This can also be one of the many reasons why programs around entrepreneur training and development are in huge demand. Industrialists like Ratan Tata are seen investing a lot in start-ups.
Well, in the end you can always be optimistic with so many start-ups and entrepreneurs getting funds for their franchise businesses. All you need is a never give up approach and determination to take your business to the zenith of franchising.


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EU-registered vessels are barred from new financial dealings with Ivory Coast’s two main cocoa-exporting ports, says EU sources, as part of sanctions imposed after November’s contested election.
On Saturday, the EU froze the European assets of the two main ports in Ivory Coast — the world’s biggest cocoa exporter — saying they were “helping to fund the illegitimate government of Mr Laurent Gbagbo”.
But the head of Abidjan port dismissed the measures as “idiotic” steps whose only victims would be European firms, Reuters reports.
Officials said the sanctions barred EU-registered vessels and companies from entering into any financial transactions with the ports, unless covered by a previously agreed contract.
“So that would essentially result in a prohibition to make business with those entities,” a European Commission official who helped draft the sanctions told Reuters by phone.
The sanctions are designed to increase pressure on incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo to step down after a November 28 election he is widely believed to have lost.
French government spokesman Gael Veyssiere said his country’s interpretation of the sanctions was that EU companies or operators were barred from financial dealings with the Ivory Coast ports of Abidjan and San Pedro.
“I don’t know if operators are obliged to have a direct dealings with the port itself, or if they deal with sub-contractors or other third parties,” he said.
“But in any case, no EU company can write a cheque to any of the entities on the sanctions list.”
PORT MAINTAINS 2011 TARGET
Separately, cocoa arrivals to main ports were estimated to be above last year’s levels despite the crisis, underlining the resilience of the cocoa trade to the instability that has dogged the world’s top grower since a 2002-2003 civil war.
In the market, dealers noted uncertainty about the impact of the sanctions.
“The ports of Abidjan and San Pedro are major exit points for cocoa exports. So (EU sanctions) are going to make everyone feel more uncertain,” VM Group analyst Gary Mead said.
Reuters reporters said activity at the port on Monday resembled that on a normal day, with two large vessels bound for Amsterdam port being loaded up with crates of cocoa beans.
May cocoa on Liffe ended 8 pounds lower at 1,999 pounds a tonne on Monday.
Abidjan port managing director Marcel Gossio said he interpreted the EU sanctions as merely freezes on funds and assets held by it and 10 other entities within Europe, and that the only victims would be European firms whose payments for work carried out at the port would now be jeopardised.
“I think these are idiotic decisions. It means they will freeze the accounts of Abidjan port in their countries. But the accounts are there to pay European contractors. So I won’t pay them and that will be it,” he said.
Gossio reaffirmed the port’s target to move 26 million tonnes of merchandise this year, up from 24-25 million in 2010.
Exporters estimated on Monday that cocoa arrivals to Abidjan and San Pedro port were running more than 2.4 percent ahead of last year despite the effects of a political crisis.
“The figures speak for themselves,” said the director of an export company in Abidjan. “This is the first time we’ve had 60,000 tonnes in a week, and it shows the harvest is good.”


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Porsche and Lucasfilm jointly design a fantasy starship
Designers at Porsche AG and Lucasfilm Ltd. are collaborating on a fantasy starship design that will be presented at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”.
The sports car manufacturer and the US production company, which is famous for its Star Wars films, teamed up specifically to create the starship in support of the upcoming Star Wars film, the final episode of the Skywalker saga.
“Developing a spacecraft with clear Porsche design DNA is an exciting task,” says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche at Porsche AG. “Even though they do not seem to share many elements at first glance, both worlds have a similar design philosophy. The close collaboration with the Star Wars design team is extremely positive for us – I’m sure that both sides can draw major benefits from this exchange.”
“Both worlds have a similar design philosophy”
“The worldwide appeal of the Star Wars and Porsche brands is shaped decisively by their iconic designs,” says Doug Chiang, Vice President and Executive Creative Director of Lucasfilm and responsible for overseeing all designs for the Star Wars franchise. “We are bringing together two worlds with this project: the exotic film design of a galaxy far, far away and the precision work that goes into developing emotive Porsche sports cars. This collaboration promises to produce an innovative design that will blend the best of both brands to create an exciting new starship worthy of Porsche and Star Wars.”
The design team will meet regularly in Stuttgart and San Francisco, California, over the coming weeks to design the spacecraft and create a corresponding model.
In addition to the model’s public unveiling at the “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” premiere in December, Porsche will also be showcasing their first all-electric car – the Taycan – at the event, which launched in early September. Deliveries to the US will start at the end of the year. In Europe, the Taycan will be handed over to customers from the beginning of 2020.
Since its debut, the 911 Turbo has been revered as much for its design as for its performance and sound. Now, after nearly five decades and eight generations, Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) is pleased to honour the sports car in an entirely new way.
Challenging times highlight the need for leadership. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume explains how he is guiding the company smoothly through the COVID-19 crisis, which principles are helpful to him in the process — and what team sports has got to do with it.
The new issue of the 9:11 Magazine goes three rounds in Switzerland. Round 1: Formula E driver Simona de Silvestro in the Taycan. Round 2: watches from Porsche Design with the styling of a 911. Round 3: the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR "Toblerone".
In the first three quarters of 2020, Porsche generated an operating result of 2.0 billion euros despite the worldwide coronavirus crisis.


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Lithuania’s trade deficit widened in June, figures from the statistical office showed on Friday.
Trade deficit increased to EUR 277.6 million in June from EUR 82.9 million in the same month last year. In May, the trade deficit was EUR 370.3 million.
Exports grew 26.6 percent year-on-year in June, after a 38.2 percent rise in May.
Imports surged 29.1 percent yearly in June, after a 53.3 percent growth in the previous month.
On a monthly basis, exports gained 3.2 percent in June and import decreased 0.2 percent.
In the second quarter, trade deficit was 923.5 million. Exports grew 34.3 percent and imports gained 40.8 percent.


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JK Rowling sues her former PA ‘for stealing £24,000 by using a business credit card to splash out on cosmetics, luxury gifts and two CATS and helping herself to Harry Potter merchandise’
- Amanda Donaldson worked for the author JK Rowling between 2014 and 2017
- She had been responsible for funds and was provided with a credit card
- Discrepancies were picked up in February last year on statements revealing a high level of personal spending
Amanda Donaldson (pictured) has denied the claims made against her by author JK Rowling
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has launched a £24,000 legal claim against a former employee after she allegedly stole merchandise and splashed out on luxury gifts.
Rowling, 53, claims Amanda Donaldson who had been employed by the writer for over three years has broken strict working agreements by using a company credit card and money from a safe to buy high-end cosmetics, gifts and even two cats.
Donaldson, 35, worked for Rowling as a personal assistant between February 2014 and April 2017 before being sacked for gross misconduct.
Legal papers lodged at Airdrie Sheriff Court allege Donaldson benefited to a value of £23,696.32 by spending on a company business credit card and taking Harry Potter merchandise.
It is claimed Donaldson from Coatbridge in Lanarkshire, had responsibility for funds and was provided with a credit card for buying items in connection with business affairs. She also had access to a safe containing foreign money.
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She had to submit statements and receipts once a month to the accountants, but discrepancies were picked up in February last year on statements revealing a high volume of personal spending by Donaldson.
She had a crunch meeting with an accountant to discuss use of card and was later suspended.
JK Rowling (left) is suing her former personal assistant. Rowling’s husband Neil Murray (right) had discovered that Amanda Donaldson had withdrew £400 cash for a deposit which had not been paid
Rowling, who is using her married name Joanne Murray in the action, has alleged Donaldson spent £823 at Bibi Bakery, £1482 with luxury candle company Jo Malone, £264 in Boots, £115 in Costa Coffee and £3629 in cosmetic firm Molten Brown.
Donaldson has denied the claims and said Rowling has ‘not suffered any loss and is not entitled to damages’ from her.
The author is seeking damages for further claims she spent £117 in M&S Simply Food, £2139 in card shop Paper Tiger, £1636 in Starbucks and £235 in book store Waterstones.
As well as this it is claimed that Donaldson bought two cats worth £1200 and withdrew £400 in cash for a deposit for a restaurant lunch but Rowling’s husband Neil Murray discovered no deposit had been paid.
Rowling who has an estimated fortune of £650 million thanks to book sales of more than 400 million, is also claiming Donaldson claimed £107 for a refund from department store John Lewis for a Lego set.
It is alleged that Donaldson, who controlled memorabilia requests from fans, used her position to steal a Harry Potter Motorised Hogwarts Express worth £467.56, a Harry Potter Wizard Collection worth £2231.76 and a Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set worth £395.
The items Donaldson is alleged to have splashed out on
£3629 – on Molten Brown cosmetics
£2139 – stationary/card shop, Paper Tiger
£1482 – with luxury candle company Jo Malone
She had allegedly forked out £1482 on candles from Jo Malone
£264 – in Boots
Harry Potter Wizard Collection – worth £2231.76
Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set – worth £395
Harry Potter Crystal Ornaments – worth £48
Harry Potter Pin Badges – worth £24
She also alleges Donaldson took a Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters worth £47, two Harry Potter Crystal Ornaments valued at £48 and Harry Potter Pin Badges worth £24.
The author has also claimed her former employee of taking £7,742 of foreign money from a safe.
Rowling says she suffered losses as a consequence of fraud perpetrated against her by Donaldson.
She claims Donaldson deceived her and ‘would not have settled business card payments or allowed access to the safe or Harry Potter merchandise without having been deceived’ and says Donaldson has refused or delayed making payment.
A spokeswoman for Rowling said: ‘I can confirm JK Rowling has taken legal action against her former personal assistant, Amanda Donaldson, following her dismissal for gross misconduct involving a substantial breach of trust.
‘As the case is not yet concluded we are not able to comment further and there won’t be any comment from JK Rowling.’
Donaldson was unavailable for comment.
The case before Sheriff Derek O’Carroll is due back in court later this year.
Rowling wed her second husband, Neil Murray, a doctor in a private ceremony in 2001.
The Edinburgh-based writer, who also pens crime novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, has given away millions from her fortune to fund charity work.
Rowling founded and is president of the Lumos Foundation, which works to stop the practice of children being held institutions, and also established the Volant Charitable Trust, which supports a number of good causes at home abroad.
The charitable foundations are largely funded by individual donations from Rowling and royalties from her books.
As well as her children’s charity work, the author has also donated £10M to a multiple sclerosis research centre at Edinburgh University in memory of her mum Anne, who died of MS at the age of 45.
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The new Board of Directors of Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has been announced.
Senator Lisa Cummins, International Trade Specialist and Executive Director of The UWI Consulting Company is the Chairman and Dennis Cadogan, Deputy Chairman of Equity Insurance is the Deputy Chairman.
The other directors appointed to serve on the Board are: Capt. George Fergusson, retired Captain of Barbados Port Inc., Lisa Gale (Lisa Gale Consulting International Trade and Business Consultant), Iain Thomson (Maco Magazine), Ricardo McConney (Nation Publishing Co. Ltd.), Janice Brown (Attorney-at-Law, Fig Tree Family Office Ltd.), Reynold Grant (Retiree), Esworth Reid (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and The Blue Economy), Sir Roy Trotman (Barbados Workers’ Union) and David Jean-Marie (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer BPI).
The BPI, the hub of Barbados’ trade and logistics infrastructure, will be key to delivering on the goal of advancing new sectors and industries in the Blue Economy, including maritime trade.
The appointments were effective July 1, 2018.