text:
With every new iPhone release, Apple enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the latest features and improvements. The tech giant is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, and rumors about the upcoming iPhone 14 have been circulating among tech communities. One speculation that has captured the attention of many is the possibility of an always-on display. This exciting prospect has left iPhone users wondering if Apple will finally integrate this feature into their next flagship device. In this article, we will explore the rumors surrounding the iPhone 14 and delve into the potential of an always-on display, shedding light on what it could mean for the future of iPhone technology.
With each new release of the iPhone, Apple enthusiasts eagerly anticipate innovative features and upgrades. The iPhone 14 is no exception, as rumors have been swirling about the possibility of an always-on display. This feature, which has been seen in other smartphone brands, allows the screen to show certain information even when the device is in sleep mode. Today, we will explore the possibility of the iPhone 14 being equipped with an always-on display and what it could mean for users.
Firstly, it is important to note that Apple has not made any official announcements regarding the inclusion of an always-on display in the iPhone 14. However, this has not stopped speculations and leaks from circulating in the tech community. As we delve deeper into this topic, it is crucial to approach it with a neutral standpoint, considering both the possibilities and limitations.
|Improved battery life||Concerns about privacy|
|Quick access to information||Potential screen burn-in|
|Enhanced user experience||Additional strain on hardware|
Let’s start by examining the possibilities of an always-on display in the iPhone 14. One of the primary advantages would be improved battery life. Currently, when users need to check the time or notifications, they have to wake their iPhone’s screen. With an always-on display, this information would be readily available without the need to fully activate the device, leading to potential battery savings.
Another benefit of an always-on display is the quick access to important information. Users would be able to glance at their iPhone 14 and see notifications, incoming calls, or even the current weather without having to unlock their device. This could greatly enhance the overall user experience, making the iPhone 14 more convenient and efficient to use.
However, it is crucial to consider the limitations that an always-on display might bring. One concerning aspect is privacy. With an always-on display, anyone within eyesight of the device could potentially see notifications and other sensitive information. Apple would need to implement robust privacy measures to ensure that only the user can view this information, which could be challenging.
Another limitation to consider is the potential for screen burn-in. An always-on display continuously shows certain elements, such as the time and icons, which could result in permanent image retention. This issue has been observed in some Android devices with similar features. Apple would need to address this concern through careful screen technology and software optimization.
Lastly, the inclusion of an always-on display could put additional strain on the iPhone 14’s hardware. The device would need to constantly power certain pixels on the screen, which could impact overall performance and battery efficiency. Apple would have to find a balance between providing a useful always-on display and maintaining the device’s performance standards.
In conclusion, while the possibility of an always-on display in the iPhone 14 is still speculative, it is intriguing to consider the potential benefits and limitations. The inclusion of this feature could improve battery life, enhance user experience, and provide quick access to information. However, concerns about privacy, screen burn-in, and hardware strain must also be taken into account. As Apple continues to innovate and surprise its users, we eagerly await official announcements regarding the iPhone 14 and any exciting features it may bring.
1. The Evolution of iPhone Displays
The iPhone has come a long way since its initial release in 2007, particularly in terms of display technology. With each new iteration, Apple has introduced enhancements and improvements to provide users with an exceptional visual experience. The question on everyone’s mind now is whether the iPhone 14 will feature an always-on display, a feature that has become increasingly popular in flagship smartphones.
2. What is an Always-On Display?
An always-on display is a feature that allows certain information to be constantly displayed on the screen, even when the device is locked or in standby mode. This feature is commonly found in smartphones with OLED or AMOLED screens and provides users with quick access to important information such as time, date, notifications, and battery status without having to unlock the device.
3. Rumors and Speculations Surrounding the iPhone 14’s Display
As with every upcoming iPhone release, there are numerous rumors and speculations surrounding its features, including the possibility of an always-on display. While Apple has not officially confirmed this feature for the iPhone 14, industry insiders and leaks suggest that it might finally make its way to the new device. If true, this would be a significant addition for iPhone users who have longed for an always-on display similar to what is offered by some Android smartphones.
4. Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of an Always-On Display on the iPhone 14
An always-on display can offer several benefits, such as increased convenience, improved glanceability, and reduced battery consumption compared to waking up the entire screen for basic information. Users would be able to quickly check the time or notifications without having to unlock their device, making it a handy feature for busy individuals. However, concerns about potential battery drain and burn-in issues on OLED screens need to be addressed to ensure a seamless user experience.
1. Does the iPhone 14 have an always-on display?
As of now, there is no official information available regarding the features of the iPhone 14, including whether it will have an always-on display or not. Apple typically keeps the details of their upcoming products under wraps until they are ready to be unveiled. Therefore, it is advisable to wait for official announcements or updates from Apple regarding the features of the iPhone 14.
2. Will the iPhone 14 support an always-on display like some Android phones?
There have been rumors and speculations about Apple introducing an always-on display feature in future iPhones, but as of now, it is uncertain whether the iPhone 14 will support this feature. The always-on display feature, which allows certain information to be displayed on the screen even when it is locked, has been present in some Android phones. However, Apple has always focused on offering a seamless user experience and prioritizes battery efficiency, so if they do introduce an always-on display, it is likely to be optimized for their devices.
3. Is the always-on display feature a necessary addition to the iPhone 14?
The necessity of an always-on display feature on the iPhone 14 largely depends on individual preferences. While some users find it convenient to have certain information, such as time, date, or notifications, constantly visible without having to unlock their device, others may not find it essential. Apple has always emphasized a balance between functionality and battery life, so if they choose to include an always-on display feature, it is expected to be well-optimized to ensure minimal impact on battery performance.
4. Can the always-on display feature be toggled on/off on the iPhone 14?
Since Apple has not officially announced the inclusion of an always-on display feature on the iPhone 14, it is currently unknown whether users will have the option to toggle this feature on or off. However, if Apple does introduce an always-on display, it is likely that users will have the ability to customize its behavior, such as choosing the information to be displayed or the duration the display remains active.
5. What benefits could an always-on display bring to the iPhone 14?
If the iPhone 14 were to include an always-on display feature, it could offer several benefits to users. For instance, it would allow users to quickly glance at important information, such as time, date, or notifications, without having to unlock the device. This can be particularly useful in situations where users want to conserve battery by minimizing screen-on time. Additionally, an always-on display can enhance the overall user experience, providing a more seamless and intuitive interaction with the device.
6. Will the always-on display feature drain the battery of the iPhone 14?
If an always-on display feature were to be implemented in the iPhone 14, Apple would likely optimize it to minimize battery consumption. Apple has a history of prioritizing battery efficiency in their devices, and any new feature, including an always-on display, would be designed with this in mind. It is expected that the always-on display feature on the iPhone 14, if included, would be intelligent enough to conserve battery by only displaying essential information and utilizing power-saving technologies.
7. Can third-party apps utilize the always-on display feature on the iPhone 14?
If the iPhone 14 introduced an always-on display feature, it is possible that Apple would allow third-party developers to utilize this functionality in their apps. Apple has previously provided developers with access to various features and APIs, allowing them to enhance their apps’ functionalities. However, the extent to which third-party apps would be able to utilize the always-on display feature would depend on Apple’s guidelines and limitations to ensure a consistent user experience and prevent abuse of the system resources.
8. How would the always-on display feature affect privacy on the iPhone 14?
If the iPhone 14 were to include an always-on display feature, Apple would likely prioritize user privacy. It is expected that sensitive information, such as notifications or messages, would remain hidden until the device is unlocked or the user interacts with the display. Apple has consistently emphasized the importance of user privacy and security, so any implementation of the always-on display feature would be designed with these principles in mind.
9. Are there any alternatives to an always-on display on the iPhone 14?
If the iPhone 14 does not include an always-on display feature, there may still be alternatives available to provide similar functionalities. For instance, Apple already offers the “Raise to Wake” feature, which automatically wakes up the device’s screen when it is lifted, allowing users to quickly view their notifications or other information. Additionally, users can utilize various lock screen widgets or notifications settings to ensure important information is readily available without unlocking the device.
10. How can I stay updated on the latest news about the iPhone 14?
To stay updated on the latest news and announcements regarding the iPhone 14, it is recommended to follow official Apple channels, such as their website, social media accounts, or subscribe to their newsletters. Additionally, reputable technology news websites or blogs often provide reliable information and rumors about upcoming Apple products. However, it is important to remember that until Apple officially announces the features of the iPhone 14, all information should be taken with caution as rumors and speculations can sometimes be inaccurate.
In conclusion, it seems highly likely that the iPhone 14 will indeed be equipped with an always-on display. This conclusion is supported by various rumors and leaks from reliable sources in the tech industry. While Apple has not officially confirmed this feature, the evidence suggests that the company is working on implementing it in their upcoming flagship device.
Several reputable sources have reported on the possibility of an always-on display for the iPhone 14. For instance, MacRumors, a well-known website for Apple-related news, has published numerous articles discussing this feature. They have cited insider information and supply chain leaks that indicate Apple’s intention to include an always-on display in their next iPhone model.
Another reliable source is Bloomberg, which has a track record of providing accurate information about upcoming Apple products. The renowned publication has also reported on the possibility of an always-on display for the iPhone 14. According to their sources, Apple is testing various prototypes with this feature to enhance user experience and differentiate their device from competitors.
Furthermore, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong reputation for accurately predicting Apple’s product plans, has also weighed in on the matter. Kuo has stated that the iPhone 14 will likely feature an always-on display, providing users with continuous access to information without the need to wake up their device.
While it is important to note that these sources cannot be considered definitive proof, their consistency and reliability make it highly probable that the iPhone 14 will indeed have an always-on display. Apple’s commitment to innovation and their desire to stay competitive in the market further support this likelihood.
In conclusion, while we await official confirmation from Apple, the evidence from various reputable sources strongly suggests that the iPhone 14 will be equipped with an always-on display. This feature would undoubtedly be a significant addition to the iPhone lineup, enhancing user convenience and further solidifying Apple’s position as a leader in the smartphone industry.


text:
The “underboob” fashion trend is continuing to cause controversy in Korea.
A recent post in an online community is catching attention after the author asked for opinions on “underboob” trend resulting in a lot of comments being posted. Netizens wrote, “I understand crop top fashion but underboob just looks embarrassing and uncomfortable.”
Underboob became a trend overseas after celebrities Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner wore it at the beginning of this year. At the time, underboob was rarely seen in Korea.
Many questioned whether such a trend could be digested and become popular in Korea but recently Korean idols have began wearing it and the number of mentions is increasing.
Blackpink‘s Jennie wore underboob at French designer Jacques fashion show in March and Hyuna also posted a photo wearing underboob on IG confirming interest in underboob has grown in Korea.
Currently, if you search ‘underboob‘ on IG, over 1,000 posts are shared daily.
The domestic fashion industry is also paying attention as overseas brands like H&M have attracted attention by launching underboob fashion in various designs.
A Korean fashion industry official stated, “Unlike crop tops, there are many opinions that underboob is too radical so it’s hard to see it become a trend in Korea. It also doesn’t fit with our brand identity.”
- [+2,588, -62] If I see anyone wearing that on the streets, I’m filing a report with police for public indecency.
- [+1,773, -97] Why is Jennie even wearing underboob ㅋㅋㅋ. Is this a comedy? ㅋ
- [+638, -58] The origins of ‘underboob’ go way back to Korean women fashion tops from the late Han Dynasty in the Joseon era as a way for women to step away to breastfeed.
- [+314, -22] Whether it’s a trend for MZ gen or whatever, it’s obvious to anyone looking that it’s fashion for attention wh*res. They can’t get attention for their talents so they go for the easiest most convenient way using their bodies. At least leggings are comfortable, but what is this fashion? It just screams “look at me.” Stop forcing your freedoms on other people. I mean is this even freedom or self-indulgence?
- [+232, -19] The girl on the right.. that’s not Kim Chae-won? Is that really Bibi?
- [+147, -11] Real women wouldn’t be caught wearing such fashion or leggings.. looks f*cking ugly ㅡㅡ
- [+100, -2] Just think of it from the other side.. I’m a woman too but even I think it’s terrible.
- [+98, -6] Aigoo.. that a real picture? So embarrassing to see as a fellow woman.
- [+77, -4] Jennie is.. uh.. well, an example of exactly what can go wrong.
- [+66, -5] There’s barely any underboob to see on Jennie.. why does she keep wearing it?ㅡㅡ

domain: news


text:
Sabre has appointed Nisha Botevyle to the technology firm’s new role of UK country director as it focuses on growth in this market.
Botevyle and her expanded team will be responsible for acquiring, consulting and supporting Sabre’s customers in the UK.
Richard Addey, regional director, western Europe and South Africa for Sabre Travel Solutions, said: “The creation of a new country director position and expansion of the UK team shows our commitment to supporting our partners in this strategically important area.
“Nisha is a dedicated and experienced commercial director with excellent industry contacts, and I am extremely excited to see her start a new chapter for Sabre in the UK.”
Before joining Sabre, Botevyle spent 15 years at fellow travel technology specialist Amadeus, where she held several roles, including head of online and partnerships, and head of leisure account management for the UK. She was most recently airline partnership management for western Europe.
“Our new team structure gives us a 360 view of the travel ecosystem, with broad expertise, which will enable us to advise and support our customers even better, helping them to reconnect travel across the world,” added Botevyle.
Sabre has already bolstered its UK team with the addition of Madina Ibrahim as sales and account manager and Ruth Scaife as senior sales and account manager. While Neil Morgan has been recruited as senior sales executive, dedicated to agencies and partners.
Botevyle is also currently recruiting for more staff to further strengthen the UK team.


text:
Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc. News
Biotech Gold Rush Starts to Pick Up; Xerox, Fujifilm Saga Continues -- ICYMI
Here's what you need to know now for Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Count your blessings; bet on the banks: rev shark's best blog
Rev Shark steps in for Jim Cramer this week.
Illumina's Singapore Tax Holiday is About to Expire
The DNA sequencing giant generated over 10% of its diluted earnings per share in 2021 from a tax holiday.
Oil Volatility Returns, Pushing Gasoline Prices Higher
The 14-week decline in gasoline prices ended while two million people in Florida are still without power.
New Electric Vehicle Beats Tesla When it Comes to the Environment
A new EV would radically change how cars are made and that could be a threat to the market leader.
House Prices Fall as Rate Hikes Push Buyers to Sidelines
Soaring mortgage rates and elevated home prices have deterred buyers, forcing sellers to lower their expectations.


text:
DALLAS (KDAF) — Another Arlington eatery is getting its time to shine during a Texas Rangers weekend series at Globe Life Field.
This time it’s Hurtado Barbecue setting up shop near Section 101 during the Rangers’ series against the Boston Red Sox from May 13-15.
The home of the Rangers said, “Hurtado Barbecue Co. is back at the Arlington Eats pop-up booth tomorrow through Sunday!” Did you know that Hurtado Barbecue is the first independently-owned craft BBQ restaurant in Arlington? Now you do.
According to Hurtado’s website, they claim to serve, “…slow-smoked central Texas-style barbecue with a Tex-Mex twist. Now open for dine-in or curbside pickup 7 days a week.”


text:
“There are only two ways to make money in business: One is to bundle; the other is to unbundle,” Jim Barksdale said 20 years ago at Netscape. I was struck by a recent HBR interview with Jim and fellow Netscape alum Mark Andreessen about the role of bundling and unbundling in business.
Cable TV providers of course get the most attention for product bundles that rankle consumers — forcing everyone to subscribe to the same long tail of TV channels, when all a particular subscriber might want is a handful of channels.
The Cable TV incumbents have long resisted any changes to the status quo, but, increasingly, consumers are finding ways to “cut the cord” through unbundled season downloads from services like iTunes, creatively re-bundled services like Netflix and Hulu, or non-TV entertainment like YouTube. Verizon responded to the cord cutters with an announcement this week that they will offer an a la carte TV service by mid-2015.
This friction between bundling and unbundling underlies many industries from media to software. The evolution in the music industry from 45s (unbundled) to LPs and CDs (bundled) to single-song downloads (unbundled) to streaming services like Pandora and Spotify (bundled) is an example the constant change under many industries.
At the center of any of these shifts is what is better for consumers at the time. Incumbents often stubbornly resist the shift, focusing aggressively on trying to keep things as they are, rather than offering a better solution. You can only sit on the other side of what consumers want for so long. This dynamic create a lot of opportunity for new businesses, and the classic breeding environment for challenger brands.
As Jim Barksdale says in the HBR interview, “Of course, you always are bundling and unbundling. You can’t stand still.”
Here’s a cartoon I drew last year on “standing still”. I’d love to hear your thoughts on bundling and unbundling.
(Marketoonist Monday: I’m giving away a signed cartoon print. Just share an insightful comment to this week’s post by 5:00 PST on Monday. Thanks!)


text:
The protection that is being sought from the PNG Government includes government policies that might undermine expansion of these businesses.
PNG Business Council executive officer Douveri Henao said even without the existence of the services chapter agreement in the existing Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) trade agreement, there have been businesses that have gone out and invested abroad in member countries.
Among those he named to be Bank South Pacific, which has gone out and invested in markets in Fiji and Solomon Islands, and Hides Gas Development Limited, a landowning company, that has invested in Pearl Resort in Fiji.
He stated there is also an uptake of small enterprises in the financial lending markets and yet again, in Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
“Without the rules of protecting our businesses via an agreement, they went further and invested in markets abroad and that demonstrates that our businesses are not looking through risks through the eyes of a much riskier outlook,” Mr Henao commented.
“We have a tendency at looking into Melanesia which is much more ambitious and much more cultural in our outlook.”
Mr Henao said these growing movements by PNG businesses have indicated there is an appetite to go deeper into Melanesia but that going forward, they would require some protection.
In making these remarks he said the overall dialogue by the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru, with his colleague ministers when they do arrive for the 2nd Melanesian Spearhead Group investment and trade fair would be crucial.
“The meeting is critical because he will impart at that level of appreciation to his fellow ministers that PNG investments need to be protected from government policies that might undermine expansion and future activities undertaken by the ambition of the PNG service investors,” he said.


text:
Google might go under with all these fines and lawsuits against them, that's why you don't take shortcuts because all these FTC fines are going to add up.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has a Snapdragon 600 processor, 5 inch 1080p...
Information about Google has been told today with the court battle between Google Android and Oracle. According to facts shown in the trial, Google had losses in 2010 with Android.
The judge asked both Oracle and Google about Android’s financial situation in the case with one document show in the case showing the profit and loss numbers in 2010 for Android.


text:
Time, misfortune and unrealistic expectations have conspired over the years to kill the Maybach marque, but it just won’t die. The latest attempt to revive the luxury automaker, under the banner of a new Mercedes-Maybach nameplate, was put on display Wednesday at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The vehicle is essentially a rebadged version of the Mercedes S600 flagship sedan.
In years preceding World War II, the Maybach company, which had a factory in Friedrichshafen, Germany, produced a limited number of extremely high-end luxury automobiles now considered classics. But the war was not kind to Maybach, which had switched to tank engine production during those years. The company never recovered enough to make another automobile.
In 1960, Daimler-Benz bought what was left of Maybach and produced some custom-made Mercedes cars bearing the once-mighty name. A full-on attempt by Daimler to resurrect the marque as its luxury halo line for the 2003 model year had fizzled by 2010, after the marque’s annual sales dropped below 100 for the second year.
The 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600 represents the latest attempt. Mercedes says the car is scheduled to hit the market in April 2015 and will cost about $200,000.
The model exhibited here seemed to offer luxury comparable to Bentley, but a click below a Rolls-Royce. The expectation seems to be that a significant number of them can be sold in America and China. Indeed, the vehicle was introduced here almost at the same moment it was shown to audiences at another auto show in Guangzhou, China.
“The history of prestige vehicles made by Daimler extends back to the earliest days of the motorcar; we have now commenced a new chapter with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class,” Ola Källenius, a Mercedes board member, said in introducing the vehicle. “As an addition to the portfolio of S-Class sedans, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sets new standards in the luxury segment. The vehicle satisfies the very highest requirements in terms of exclusivity, appointments and comfort.”
It is an S-Class sedan stretched by about eight inches. On the outside, there is scant difference between a Maybach and a Mercedes.
The company said that the S600 would be the first of several vehicles in a new Mercedes-Maybach “subbrand.”
The company said Mercedes-Maybach would provide a higher level of luxury to certain Mercedes vehicles, while the AMG division, ranked alongside Maybach as a subbrand, would continue to emphasise performance.
Even though Maybach will be more about opulence than performance, the Maybach version of the S600 will be powered by a twin-turbo, 6-litre V12 that produces 523 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque.
Get live Stock Prices from BSE, NSE, US Market and latest NAV, portfolio of Mutual Funds, Check out latest IPO News, Best Performing IPOs, calculate your tax by Income Tax Calculator, know market’s Top Gainers, Top Losers & Best Equity Funds. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


text:
- Service Corporation International stock price today and history
Service Corporation International (SCI) stock prices updated...
Please, Signup (Login) to subscribe or trade (demo)
Service Corporation International stock price
Service Corporation International latest news:
China's iQiyi considers U.S. listing as early as 2018: source
HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Baidu Inc's video streaming service iQiyi, a Chinese-style Netflix , is eyeing a potential initial public offering in the United States as early as next year, a person with direct knowledge of the plans said on Tuesday. The listing could value the company at between $8 billion and $10 billion, Bloomberg reported earlier, citing two people familiar with the matter.
UPDATE 3-China's iQiyi considers U.S. listing as early as 2018 – source
* Video service raised $1.53 bln earlier this year
(Adds source information)
China's iQiyi eyes U.S. listing at up to $10 billion valuation: Bloomberg
BEIJING (Reuters) - Baidu Inc's video streaming service iQiyi, a Chinese-style Netflix , is looking for an initial public offering in the United States as early as next year, which could value it at more than $8 billion, Bloomberg reported.
China's iQiyi eyes U.S. listing at up to $10 bln valuation - Bloomberg
* IPO as early as 2018 could value firm at $8 bln-$10 bln. * Video service raised $1.53 bln earlier this year. Baidu Inc's (BIDU) video streaming service iQiyi, a Chinese-style Netflix (NFLX), is looking for an initial public offering in the United States as early as next year, which could value it at more than $8 billion, Bloomberg reported.
Actua shares jump on plan to distribute business sales to shareholders
Actua Corp. shares jumped in the extended session Monday after the cloud-based software and services company said it was selling three of its majority-owned businesses and distributing proceeds to shareholders. Actua shares soared 28% to $15.65 after hours, following a brief halt. The company said it plans to sell interest in its VelocityEHS, Bolt Solutions and FolioDynamix businesses for a total of $549 million cash. Actua said it is selling its interest in the software company VelocityEHS and online insurance service platform Bolt Solutions to CVC Growth Fund, and web-based wealth management technology platform FolioDynamix to Envestnet Inc. . Envestnet shares were unchanged at $49.90 after hours. Actua said it expects proceeds of $14.35 to $15.18 a share from the sales with distribution to shareholders in the first quarter of 2018. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
BRIEF-HFF announces $270m refinancing for JW Marriott Chicago
* Says will service securitized loan, proceeds of which
were used to refinance a maturing loan
Source text for Eikon:
Further company coverage:
Uber C.E.O., Reacting to London Ban, Apologizes for ‘Mistakes’
Dara Khosrowshahi said in an open letter that the ride-hailing service had “got things wrong.” The company will appeal a decision over its right to operate in London.
'Unfit' Uber stripped of London license
LONDON (Reuters) - London deemed Uber unfit to run a taxi service on Friday and stripped it of its license to operate from the end of next week in a major blow to the U.S. firm and 3.5 million users in one of the world's wealthiest cities.
Gadsden Growth Properties decreases proposed IPO deal size
Gadsden Growth Properties a newly formed REIT focused on distressed retail and medical office real estate lowered the proposed deal size for its upcoming IPO on Friday The company also revealed a shift in its strategy away from limited service hotels and will instead focus solely on
CORRECTED-BRIEF-Deutsche Post DHL to raise prices for express service
* Says to raise prices for express service by 4.5 percent
worldwide, excluding USA, from 2018
The Best and Worst Customer Service in the Airline Industry
Uber's license to operate in London won't be renewed
Uber London Ltd.'s license to operate won't be renewed, London's transportation regulator said Friday. Transport for London said its review of the service found Uber demonstrated a lack of corporate responsibility in a number of issues, including its approach to reporting serious criminal offenses. "TfL has concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence," TfL said in a statement. Uber's license to operate as a private hire service is set to expire on Sept. 30. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
The Best and Worst Customer Service in the Mobile Carrier Industry
Albertsons buys meal-kit delivery provider Plated
Sept 20 (Reuters) - Albertsons Cos Inc, one of
America's biggest supermarket chains, said on Wednesday it would
buy meal-kit delivery service Plated, as it looks to attract
more customers to its stores amid increased competition.
Blue Apron gains after Albertsons agrees to buy meal-kit rival
Blue Apron Holdings Inc. shares gained Wednesday afternoon after grocer Albertsons Co. announced that it had bought a rival meal-kit service called Plated. Albertsons, a private company that owns grocery-store chains including its namesake, Safeway and Vons, did not disclose the price paid for Plated. Plated offers meal kits through the mail, like Blue Apron, but will now make that company's offerings available in some of its 2,300-plus grocery stores nationwide. Blue Apron shares gained more than 3% to $5.40 in late trading, after falling 5.5% in the regular session to $5.22. Shares have fallen by as much as 50% from the $10 price commanded in its July initial public offering, amid concerns about competition from the likes of Amazon.com Inc.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
John Deere recalls 25,000 lawn tractors for a 'crash hazard'
Deere & Co. recalled about 25,000 lawn tractors, and 500 transmissions sold as parts, because the transmissions can fail, posing "a crash hazard." The company said there have been no reports of incidents or injuries. The recall involves John Deere model D105 tractors made in the U.S., sold from February 2016 through July 2017 at John Deere dealers, Home Depot and Lowe's stores nationwide for about $1,500. The service transmissions were sold by John Deere dealers from March 2016 through August 2017 for about $300. Deere's stock, which tacked on 0.7% in afternoon trade, have slipped 1.7% over the past three months, while the S&P 500 has gained 2.8%.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
BRIEF-U.S. CPSC says John Deere recalls lawn tractors, service part transmissions
Sept 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Cyber attack, hurricane weigh on FedEx quarterly profit
(Reuters) - Package delivery company FedEx Corp on Tuesday reported a lower-than-expected quarterly net profit due to service disruptions from a cyber attack on its Dutch unit, the impact of Hurricane Harvey and higher costs, and also lowered its full-year earnings forecast.
FedEx quarterly profit falls
(Reuters) - Package delivery company FedEx Corp on Tuesday reported a lower quarterly net profit due to service disruptions following June's Petya cyber attack on its Dutch delivery unit TNT Express and the impact of Hurricane Harvey.
Retailers boost holiday hires in stores to help tackle online sales
(Reuters) - Major retailers are looking to stimulate anemic sales by hiring thousands of more workers this holiday season to improve customer service on their sales floors and handle the fast-growing use of their stores to fulfill online orders.
Best Practices Survey: We Want to Hear From You
The Center for Auto Finance Excellence is constantly working to enhance its relevance and service to you and the industry. As an important part of the auto finance community, we are coming to our members for best practice insights.Please take a moment to complete this short survey, which will offer valuableRead More
Donald Trump Jr. gives up Secret Service protection: report
Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, has decided to give up his Secret Service protection, according to a New York Times report late Monday. Trump Jr., who lives in New York, reportedly is seeking more privacy, away from the large security detail. It was not immediately clear if he was lifting security for his wife and five children as well. The move should help the Secret Service, which has been hard-pressed to provide security to the President Donald Trump's large family and their extensive travels. Last month, the agency said more than 1,000 agents had already hit their yearly caps for salary and overtime.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
Macy's to hire 80,000 seasonal workers for the holidays, down from 83,000 last year
Macy's Inc. said Monday that it expects to hire 80,000 seasonal workers this holiday season for its namesake Macy's stores, Bloomingdale's, call centers, and distribution and fulfillment facilities. That's down from 83,000 last year. Hiring events will take place over two days, on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29. About 18,000 of the hires will be for direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities, up 3,000 positions from last year. These centers are located in places like Portland, Tenn., and Cheshire, Conn. About 1,000 will be hired to work in customer service centers, operating both online, emailing and chatting with shoppers, for instance, and on the phone. More than 1,000 will be hired to work on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy's shares are down 38.3% for the year so far while the S&P 500 index is up nearly 12% for the period.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
Taco Bell to add 300 urban locations by 2022
Taco Bell, the Yum Brands Inc. Mexican chain, plans to add 300 restaurants in urban areas by 2022. New York is seen as the quick-service brand's largest market opportunity, the company said, with about 50 planned for the city's five boroughs. Five restaurants will be complete by early 2018. Four of them will be Cantina locations, which serve alcohol, and one will be an "Urban In-line" location that does not. In addition to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Boston are among the areas of focus. About 20 of the locations will be in Chicago, with eight Cantinas planned by the end of 2018. Both Cantina and In-line locations have opened nationwide since 2015. Taco Bell plans to grow to about 9,000 global locations in the next five years from more than 7,000 currently, and it plans to create about 100,000 new jobs. Yum Brands shares are up 19.6% for the year so far while the S&P 500 index is up nearly 12% for the period.Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
Hulu's big Emmy night marks a streaming milestone
LOS ANGELES, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Streaming service Hulu made
Emmy history on Sunday by becoming the first digital platform to
win a top series award with its dystopian saga "The Handmaid's
Hulu series 'The Handmaid's Tale' wins best drama at Emmys
"The Handmaid's Tale" won the television Emmy award on Sunday night for best drama series. The show on the Hulu streaming service tells the story of a dystopian world in which women are forced into sexual servitude.
Verizon's nixing some cell service in rural Montana has locals scared about emergencies
The company said these customers used too much data outside the network.
CORRECTED-GM's Cruise aims to open self-driving tests to public; timing unclear
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 15 (Reuters) - General Motors Co's
self-driving unit, Cruise Automation, is working to open
an internal ride-hailing service to people outside the company,
aiming to join a small group of autonomous vehicle developers
testing their technology with the public.
Morgan Stanley to handle mortgage originations in home-loan push: sources
(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley plans to bring its mortgage origination business in-house to improve customer service and generate more business, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
Morgan Stanley to handle mortgage originations in home-loan push -sources
Sept 15 (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley plans to bring its
mortgage origination business in-house to improve customer
service and generate more business, two people familiar with the
matter told Reuters on Friday.
ServiceMaster Global HoldingsSERV
Seventy Seven Energy Inc.SSE
Shaw Communications Inc.SJR
Shell Midstream PartnersSHLX
Sherwin-Williams Company (The)SHW
Shinhan Financial Group Co LtdSHG
Ship Finance International LimitedSFL


text:
IT channel news in brief for August 11, 2010
Hurd move doesn't rile HP shops
While HP partners were stunned by the news, data center pros said HP's surprise ouster of CEO Mark Hurd won't impact their server buying decisions..
For most HP data center customers, it'll business as usual as HP searches for a new CEO, according to SearchDataCenter.com. But in some extreme cases, change of management can affect how customers perceive their vendors. At least one data center pro said the culture of CA (formerly known as Computer Associates) changed a lot after its CEO went to jail a few years back.
While he doesn't see the Hurd incident impacting his relationship with HP anytime soon, one data center manager said "HP's infamous merger with Compaq" shows how a vendor CEO's actions can screw up customer relationships.
The Compaq deal "was the brainchild of the last [HP] CEO and was such a logistical nightmare that many, many managers gave up on HP systems and went to competitors who could actually deliver the goods," said data center manager Mark Holt.
VMware appliance ties bow around Zimbra acquisition
VMware Inc. marked what it called the "full integration" of its Zimbra purchase this week with a new Zimbra appliance and opened up all VMware channels to Zimbra's email products.
VMware characterizes its new Zimbra Collaboration Suite Appliance as enterprise-class email and collaboration that runs on vSphere. That appliance, as well as Zimbra in other formats, is now available to VMware's broader channel and is covered by VMware support.
The new appliance also makes Zimbra more understandable to Windows administrators, said Jim Morrisroe, vice president of Zimbra. "We've moved beyond the Linux admin console," Morrisroe said. "There is an OVF file of Zimbra that sits atop any vSphere instance. You can then download and instantly provision Zimbra that boots to an admin console and lets the admin add or subtract users easily versus going to get Linux, downloading the right distribution and then the install utility."
VMware bought Zimbra from Yahoo last January.
Oracle to support Solaris on Dell, HP hardware
Oracle Corp. will offer Solaris support on Dell and Hewlett-Packard hardware. That news was part of a recent overall agreement that enables Dell and HP to resell Solaris, Oracle VM and Oracle Linux. Oracle's change of ownership documents posted in May indicated that Oracle support offerings would not be available on non-Oracle (non-Sun) hardware.
VSphere storage array features leave users cold
I/O-constrained VMware shops may catch a break as VMware releases new vStorage APIs for Array Integration (or VAAI). With VAAI, storage arrays will be able to take on more of the storage processing loads now handled by ESX hosts. But many users won't be in any hurry to take advantage of the new features, according to SearchServerVirtualization.com.
Check out last week's IT channel news in brief.


text:
Too much sugar and not enough real snap and crackle in kids' cereals
If it is chocolate-flavoured or rainbow-coloured, it is probably the sort of breakfast cereal you should not be giving your children every day.
A survey of 150 cereals and mueslis by the consumer magazine Choice has found that most of the products targeted at children do not have enough fibre. Many have too much sugar and salt.
Children need less fibre than adults, but only four of 26 children's cereals analysed had moderate levels of fibre. Seven brands of fruit rings, five of coco puffs and six of rice puffs were low in fibre and high in either sugar or salt.
Clare Hughes, the food policy officer with the Australian Consumers Association, which publishes Choice, said children needed fibre to fill them up, especially on school days.
"Parents might want to save [low-fibre cereals] up for treats on a weekend or the school holidays," she said. "But as far as an everyday cereal that you'd be wanting to give kids before they go to school, then many of those targeted to children don't meet the right criteria."
Cereals such as No Frills Fruit Rings, Coles Cocoa Puffs and Kellogg's Frosties gave children a short-term sugar hit but left them lacking in energy later in the day.
"Childhood obesity is being discussed in the media and among nutritionists quite a bit," Ms Hughes said. "Kilojules contribute to a child's energy intake, and if they're eating too many kilojules it does impact on their weight."
Parents should also beware of cereals that boast added vitamins and minerals, because they could be "up to a third sugar".
Of the 10 biggest-selling cereals in Australia, Choice gave the nutritional thumbs-up to Sanitarium Weet-Bix, Uncle Tobys Vita Brits and Kellogg's Sultana Bran.


text:
Expanded and new lighting designs and a family Polar Playspace will be among the attractions for Heritage Museums & Gardens' annual Gardens Aglow event.
Expanded and new lighting designs, as well as a family Polar Playspace, will be among the attractions over the next few weeks as Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich reopens on the weekends for its annual Gardens Aglow event.
The lights go on Friday and will be the centerpiece of a variety of activities that will continue from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 29.
Holiday lights will be strung around the acres of gardens and woodlands to create what officials aim to be “a twinkling wonderland.” There will also be festive holiday displays and activities, marshmallow roasting, music and dance performances, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and an interactive display of model trains.
This year’s highlights include the Polar Playspace, where families can build their own “igloo” or “ice sculpture” at the Parade Field, with a warming tent and the Cape Cod Donuts food truck selling fresh donuts and hot apple cider. The Heritage Holiday Express will feature an expanded double track G-scale model train traveling through replicas of three well-known bridges. The bridges — made of branches and other natural elements gathered from the Heritage property — will be suspended seven feet above the floor in the Special Exhibitions Gallery and will represent the Sagamore Bridge, Cape Cod Railroad Bridge and the George Washington Bridge.
Among the entertainment will be carolers strolling the grounds on Fridays (except for Dec. 6); holiday-themed music and dance performances at 7 p.m. each night in the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery; and, on Saturdays, Eyes 4 Ice will demonstrate ice carving in front of the Old East Mill.
Heritage’s antique carousel will be decorated for the holidays, and visitors will be invited to create their own holiday designs on a giant Lite-Brite. Santa Claus will be on hand, meeting families for photos in Heritage’s 1913 Ford Model T, and there will be a scavenger hunt themed to his reindeer. Out on Nickerson Field, there will be marshmallow roasting at stone fire pits.
Heritage’s Magnolia Cafe will be open for snacks, including Christmas Whoopie pies, s’mores kits, gingerbread men, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
A limited number of tickets will be sold each night, so advance reservation is encouraged. Due to limited parking at Heritage's location at 67 Grove St., additional space will be available for ticketed customers in the parking lot behind the Henry T. Wing School, 33 Water St., Sandwich, on Nov. 29-30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21-22. A shuttle will operate on a continuous loop between the Wing school and Heritage from 4 to 9 p.m. on those nights.
Tickets: $20, $17 for members; $10 for ages 3-17 ($8 for member youth); free for ages 2 and under. Group discounts are available. Reservations and information: heritagemuseums.org, 508-888-3300.


text:
OnlyFans to Ban Sexually Explicit Content – OnlyFans, an online membership service that grew to be one of the top 400 websites in the world by connecting users to content creators (mostly adult models) has fired its top earners and banned “sexually explicit material.” Pornography will not be allowed, despite the fact that it says nudity would be allowed as long as it passes its acceptability guidelines.
“In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of our platform, and continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines,” OnlyFans said. OnlyFans released a new app earlier this year that incorporates many of its top creators, but without any nudity.
The company has been praised for making it safer for sex workers to work. Sex work, on the other hand, still has a negative connotation. Last year, the company made more than $2 billion in revenue, and it expects to more than quadruple that this year. It keeps a quarter of the total.
The company stated, “banking partners and payout providers” weren’t keen on processing payments to a pornographic portal. OnlyFans, faced with this dilemma, decided to say goodbye to the adults in the room. It may have opened the door for cryptocurrency-inclined competitors in the process. Here’s Why –
When Visa and Mastercard stopped processing payments to adult website Pornhub last year, claiming allegedly insufficient standards to prevent minors from publishing content, the site turned to Bitcoin. Pornhub found a way to keep the revenue rolling by limiting premium subscription payments to crypto only.
This questions only one thing: Pornhub embraced Bitcoin, why didn’t OnlyFans?
OnlyFans, which plans to make $1.2 billion in revenue this year, gave in to payment processors. This leaves a void in this space as there is an Ethereum-based token developed to make it easier for sex workers to get paid “SpankChain”, said SpankChain advisor Allie Eve Knox to Decrypt.
The void could essentially give rise to a new type of platform that will be supported by cryptocurrencies and powered by blockchain. What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank you for sticking with us all the way to the end of this article! Stay tuned to Oyprice and subscribe to our YouTube channel. And don’t forget to join our telegram channel for regular news and updates.


text:
Dulux Decorator Centre Scoops Gold in Landmark Year
One of the UK’s leading paint retailers has retained a prestigious We invest in people Gold accreditation from Investors in People after years of putting people at the heart of the business.
Dulux Decorator Centre has received the accolade for the 7th time in its 125th anniversary year.
From the very beginning, the business set up by founder JP McDougall was underpinned by the philosophy of building lasting relationships with customers and colleagues.
Fast forward 125 years and after growing into a network of over 230 stores around the UK, Dulux Decorator Centre remains centred on the needs ofcolleagues and customers.
Over 90 per cent of colleagues commented “Dulux Decorator Centre is a great place to work” and Investors in People noted “a highly motivated and engaged team of managers and colleagues”, adding that the retailer ensures a workplace with a “passion for excellence” that continues to deliver as a place of trusted leaders that are confident in the future of the business.
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors of People, said: “Gold accreditation means that you’ve got the policies in place but more than that, it means everyone – from managing director to apprentice takes ownership for making them come to life.
“We’d like to congratulate Dulux Decorator Centre. Gold accreditation on We invest in people is a fantastic effort for any organisation.”
Managing Director of Dulux Decorator Centre, John Henderson, said: “We always have, and continue to believe, that the success of your organisation begins and ends with people – not just our colleagues but our customers and local communities.
“We’re continually innovating to give colleagues opportunities to learn and grow, as we believe if we make work better for everyone, then our team of passionate experts can then make our customers’ lives easier too.
“We know Gold status was achieved by just 17 per cent of companies in 2019 – we’re particularly proud to retain the accreditation in a year that saw the introduction of a stricter criteria used by the panel to look at the very best companies that are deserving of the Gold status.”
For more information and to see roles available at Dulux Decorator Centre visit: www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk
About Dulux Decorator Centre
Dulux Decorator Centre is one of the UK’s leading decorating specialists, offering expert advice to help accomplish any decorating job – big or small. Each store carries a wide range of products, from paint and wallpaper to accessories and tools. Customers can also shop 24/7 at www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk to receive free delivery on orders over £50, with no minimum spend for trade account holders, or shop with Dulux Decorator Centre’s click and collect service to have orders delivered to a local store.
AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. We’re experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in color and protection since 1792. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, we operate in over 80 countries and employ around 34,500 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high performance products and services our customers expect.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com.
© 2019 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
About Investors in People
Most of us will spend around 80,000 hours at work in our lifetimes.
For something that takes up that much of our time, we think people deserve to get more out of it than just a regular pay cheque.
That’s why we’ve already helped more than 11 million people across 75 countries to make work better.
How are we doing that?
We’re a community interest company, which means we put our purpose before our profits.
That means everything we do and every direction we take is done to make work better.
Organisations that meet the We invest in our people framework are proud to display their accreditation to the world.
Because they understand that it’s people that make work better.
Dulux Decorator Centre scoops gold in landmark year


text:
After last week’s announcement-of-an-announcement, SOEDESCO has revealed the release date of Truck Driver. Long-haul hopefuls on consoles will get their chance behind the big rigs on September 19.
PS4 and XB1 players have so far missed out on the rather popular sub-genre of trucking sims. Truck Driver will change that, providing players with a series of missions for their 18-wheelers. Check out the release date trailer below:
As the trailer shows, players won’t just be hauling a boring old rectangle. An ancient marble statue, a bunch of lumber, and even a boat show up.
SOEDESCO has also unveiled the story for the single-player portion of the game. It’s pretty simple really: you inherit your uncle’s truck, and you’re aiming to make him proud. Fair enough.
Curiously, the press release makes mention of the vast open world progressing alongside the player. It isn’t clear what developer Triangle Studios has in store, though the trailer does feature a day/night cycle.
When it launches this autumn, Truck Driver will feature driver and rig customization. Players will also earn XP via their missions, which they can then spend on a skill tree.
Truck Driver pulls into its final stop on PS4 and XB1 on September 19.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
Despite the rave reviews that the application received even before launch, the app was rejected by the Apple App Review staff because of "security concerns". The app has since then been exclusively available on the Cydia App Store for jailbroken iPhones.
Wi-Fi Sync is developed by Greg Hughes, a student at University of Birmingham. Following the successful launch of his app in May, Hughes has now announced that the application will receive a major update in December. The new update will enable users to remotely sync their iPhone with iTunes over a cellular data connection. According to he Wi-Fi Sync website, the jailbreak app will allow users to sync their iDevice with iTunes over Wi-Fi, 3G, EDGE and/or VPN.
Apart from cellular data compatibility, the new version of the app is also expected to come with other features such as support for retina display, a sync button on the iDevice, an option to disable automatic backups for wirelessly connected devices and also the ability to run the app on startup.
Despite the high sale price of $9.99 on Cydia, Wi-Fi Sync has been quite successful since it was launched. Greg Hughes announced the sale of the 20,000th app back in September. This success has underlined the demand for such a functionality that has unfortunately not been made available to non-jailbroken users so far.
Wireless syncing has for long been seen as the logical next step for Apple to offer and we're hopeful that Apple will introduce the feature in the future. Until then Wi-Fi Sync, especially v2.0 will be another reason for users to jailbreak their iPhone. What do you think?
[via WiFiSyncApp]Like this post? Share it!


text:
According to European market research done by Counterpoint, COVID-19 has caused 7% market decline in Q1 2020 compared to Q1 2019 and about 23% decline compared to the last quarter. Western Europe took the bigger hit with 9% on average while Easter Europe experienced about 5% fall.
The pandemic has led to lengthening the update cycles of the consumers. Italy took the biggest hit with 21% decline compared to last year's Q1. But the pattern across Europe was pretty much the same - online retailers were able to offset the negative impact with more aggressive online sales schemes while the offline stores suffered quite a bit due to store closures. Interesting to note that the Russian market has seen a small 1% decline as it was barely affected by the time the quarter concluded.
As far as manufacturers go, Samsung holds the lead with 29% market share with just 2 percentage points decline while Apple has seen a 1pp increase to 22% market share. Huawei follows but lost a low of ground, while Xiaomi has grown to 11% from just 4% in 2019.
who would look at new phone with the chinese virus spreading
Of course... no need to brag with the latest model when you're locked down at home :) Maybe you also rather use your tablet, computer or watch tv when not "on the way". Physical shops are closed and many people have to deal with less money... a lot o...
XIAOMI is going to dominate future sales in Europe, I hope they dont get too ambitious with the pricing.


text:
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) recognizes that the upward pressure of prices in the second quarter remains and the pressure inflation forecast for this year still increases from 3.9% to 4.8%, close to the assigned target of 4.5%.
This forecast was stated by the Ministry of Finance at the Steering Committee for Price Management meeting on March 24, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.
The consumer price index (CPI) in March decreased by 0.1-0.2% compared to February but increased by 3.4-3.5% over the same period last year. On average, in the first quarter, CPI is estimated to increase by 4.2-4.3% over the same period in 2022, according to the General Statistics Office.
Inflation increased in the first quarter mainly because the groups of goods and services accounted for the main weight in the CPI basket with an upward trend. For example, the price of construction materials increased by 7.2% leading to an increase of 1.4% CPI. Food items are more expensive by 4.5%, pushing the consumer price index by 1%.
There are also some declined items, such as petrol 11%, gas 1.8%, and post and telecommunications group 0.3% which helped CPI in the first three months of the year down 0.03-0.4%
However, the Ministry of Finance acknowledges the upward pressure on prices in April and the second quarter face to international situations and local essential goods depend heavily on world prices.
MOF provides a forecast scenario for this year, increasing by 3.9-4.8% compared to 2022. The scenario is based on calculations and forecasts of increasing pressure, a decrease in prices of commodities that account for a large proportion in the CPI basket of goods such as gasoline, foods, rice, pork, cost of living electricity, construction materials, education, medicine economy, and rental housing.
MOF assumes, in the remaining 9 months, CPI increases at the same rate compared to the previous months then the consumer price index each month has room to increase by 0.52%. This will ensure the average inflation is controlled target of 4.5%
Based on three scenarios for forecasting inflation this year, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai asked the Ministry of Finance carefully review and analyze input-output parameters scenarios. The operating scenario must closely follow the fiscal and monetary policies and control inflation follow to target, striving to achieve 4.5% lower than the plan.
Prices of many commodities decreased in the first quarter but remained at a high level and growth was more difficult than in 2022, according to General Director of the General Statistics Office Nguyen Thi Huong. In the future, instability is very high, and many factors are out of control, Ms.Huong suggested strict management and an increased schedule suitable for items such as healthcare, education, and electricity.
Regarding education services, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Training reported, the government has decided to keep the tuition fee as of 2021-2022, tuition fees will not increase until August 2022-2023. The Ministry is coordinating with offices of government to research and propose appropriate adjustments after September 2023.
Regarding the price of medical services, Deputy Minister of Health Le Duc Luan reported that since July 1, 2023, the basic salary will increase so the price of medical services will be adjusted. The Ministry of Health is also collecting opinions on the draft Circular stipulating the price of medical examination and treatment services on request, in which, the Ministry proposes prices suitable to roadmap and social ground, and at the same time ensures revenue for public health facilities, improve the living standards for doctors.
More news: TPM TAX


text:
Nothing personal: Whole Foods Markets no longer will accept personal checks at its stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
But if you leave your credit card or cash-filled coffee can at home, fear not: Whole Foods still will gladly accept your entire paycheck as payment.
What could go wrong? Tonight on “Restaurant Startup,” the judges hear from a recently divorced couple who want to start an anchovy-and-rock-and-roll-themed restaurant called Bon Chovie.
Sounds like a better name for that business would be Instant Tax Shelter.
A whopper of a drag: Burger King says it’s in talks to buy the Canadian coffee-and-doughnut chain Tim Hortons and create the world’s third-largest fast-food restaurant company — which, for tax reasons, would be headquartered in Toronto, not BK’s current home in Miami.
Not sure who should be more ticked off about this: Canadians, because a national icon is being assimilated by the Yanks, or Americans, because another corporation is skipping out on paying taxes.
— Mark Carlson, Herald staff


text:
Kuona, a Mexico-based software-as-a-service platform utilizing artificial intelligence to optimize prices, promotions, orders, and inventory for brands, has announced the successful completion of a seed funding round in which it raised $6 million.
Founded in 2017 by Chema Sanroman and Agustín Magaña, both with backgrounds in data science and artificial intelligence, Kuona developed data-driven tools that can predict demand, track customer behaviour, and integrate with company data in real-time to improve the return on investment of promotions while also boosting sales.
The startup says it is profitable today, and they have clients such as OXXO, the small store chain, and Coca-Cola FEMSA, both linked to Femsa Ventures. A spokesman for OXXO says their satisfaction with Kuona’s results led Femsa Ventures to want to invest in the startup.
The round was led by Mexican venture capital firm Cometa, and also saw participation from Seaya Cathay Latam and Femsa Ventures, both also based in Mexico.
This new funding will enable Kuona to continue its growth and development as it strives to assist brands in maximizing their efficiency and profitability through its innovative AI-powered platform.


text:
Possible negative search results for BRIAN ARMSTRONG
BRIAN ARMSTRONG News
Coinbase CEO on Crypto Surge, Bitcoin Futures, IRS – Bloomberg
Dec 6, 2017 - 10 min
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the rise in cryptocurrencies, bitcoin futures, customer ...
Coinbase: The Heart of the Bitcoin Frenzy - The New York Times
Dec 5, 2017 ... Most Friday afternoons, Brian Armstrong, the chief executive of Coinbase, holds a
session in the cafeteria where employees can ask him anything. On the Friday of
the record-hitting week, Mr. Armstrong discussed how the company was planning
to grow and introduced Asiff Hirji, the new president and chief ...


text:
SUPERMARKETS are the latest retailers to feel the squeeze from stayaway shoppers.
Official figures released yesterday showed that food sales in August rose at their lowest annual rate for six years.
Sales across the high street were flat on the previous month. Experts had expected a much stronger figure.
Philip Shaw, chief economist at Investec, said: "It's going to be a nerve-jangling run-up to Christmas."


text:
On Aug. 29, an Obama administration memo prompted intense speculation that the feds may be finally calling off the decades-long war on weed. While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, the memo stated, federal prosecutors won't intervene if states such as Colorado and Washington that legalized it for recreational use ensure that organized crime doesn't profit from these states' laws.
This, after a yearlong crackdown on California's medical weed industry in which countless dispensaries closed and landlords such as Anaheim's Tony Jalali were threatened with seizure of their buildings. In Jalali's case it was over a frivolous $37 pot sale, as Nick Schou reported in OC Weekly. And even now, Colorado authorities are seizing weed shipments.
Against this backdrop, Schou unveils in his new book released by Chicago Review Press, “The Weed Runners: Travels With the Outlaw Capitalists of America's Medical Marijuana Trade,” that a seldom-acknowledged war between West Coast growers and increasingly canny Mexican cartel growers to supply this demand is growing ever more dangerous and bizarre. Stakes are high, with a pound of weed selling to an illegal dealer for four times what a legal dispensary will pay. Here's one surreal scene from his book:
“That's some pretty good-looking herb you got there.”
It's about 10:00 AM on a brisk November day, and I'm driving my rental car out of Oakland International Airport. Christopher Glew is talking to his client, a man who for the purposes of this book we'll call Lucky, who has just opened up his carry-on backpack to reveal three ounces of freshly manicured marijuana. The weed amounts to a sample kit of a freshly harvested Snowcap strain which Lucky grew at one of his nurseries in Southern California. He plans to show it to a potential buyer in the Bay Area, in the hopes of arranging a large-scale deal—although Glew knows nothing of this plan and Lucky won't reveal it to me until later, when he apparently figures that I might somehow help him pull it off.
At the moment, we're heading to a meeting with the owners of a medical marijuana delivery service called the Green Spot, the largest such operation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Instead of his usual pinstripe-suit-and-monogrammed-cufflinks courtroom attire, Glew is dressed in jeans and a black-and-orange leather jacket with the Harley Davidson logo splashed across the shoulders. Lucky is wearing a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball cap, a baggy designer jersey, and even baggier black jeans. He's in a particularly good mood, and hasn't stopped talking since he got in the car.
“You know what's interesting?” Lucky asks.
As usual, he doesn't wait for an answer.
“I called TSA to find out how much I could take on the plane and they said it's all determined by the doctor.”
“TSA said that, really?” Glew asks, not buying it.
“Yeah,” Lucky says. “And then I called Southwest Airlines and they said, 'We have no policy at all about weed.' So I've been flying with three or four ounces now. The last time I flew, I took it right out on my seat tray and started looking through the samples.”
“No you didn't,” Glew says.
“I swear to God, I did,” Lucky insists. “I'll do it on the way back. I'll film the whole thing. I should put it on YouTube, because everyone I've told about this can't believe I would do it. But I had to bring some samples on the plane because I've got some stuff that will get some amazing [prices] up here.”
The high-grade marijuana Lucky is carrying sells for $800 a pound in California, but could easily earn $2,000 or $2,500 per pound in New York City. Or at least that's what Lucky says. He would know because, as it happens, he arranges cross-country deals every few weeks. “You sell in the right place, and there you go, you're making $1,300 a pound. Do a hundred deals like that, and well, that's what everyone is trying to do out here: pack up as many of these things as they can and ship them back east.”
Of course, high-grade medical-quality pot brokers such as Lucky aren't the only ones trying to sell as many ounces as possible from coast to coast. There's also the murderous Mexican cartels.
The medical marijuana marketplace north of the border has led to a vastly superior quality of weed on the shelf, but the cartels are rapidly adjusting to this fact, and the federal government's crackdown has eliminated many of their north-of-the-border competitors.
As we head north from the industrial outskirts of Oakland into the steep, treelined hills of Berkeley, Lucky's lecture about the economics of pot smuggling rapidly devolves into a litany against the Mexican drug cartels he says are ruining the industry.
“They come up here and buy strains from Americans—we're talking California growers who have high-end strains,” he says. “And they'll buy these clones that are guaranteed female. They buy the plants! They've learned enough now to turn some of these plants into mothers, so they are learning to clone. And that is something they've never done in the past—you've never seen the Mexicans cloning.”
Lucky and other California-based pot cultivators and distributors have no choice but to grow their crops on their own land, or on rented properties, like warehouses, where they can hide large indoor nurseries. The cartels, meanwhile, tend to establish vast outdoor plantations deep inside US National Forest areas. “They're camping out there and have so much time on their hands while their gardens are developing, so they start making speed,” Lucky complains. “They're making amphetamines because they can turn that around in a week and use those revenues to generate and finance their gardens.”
As the cartels have become more adept at competing with their American competitors, they're constantly on the hunt for access to not only new, higher-end strains, but also technical expertise. “I was personally offered a large sum of money to go to Michoacan and teach them how to make oils and extracts,” he says, referring to the various concentrated byproducts of marijuana, mostly liquids like hash oil that pack a powerful high, or solids that can be turned into pill form or baked into edible products like pot brownies. These products can be made purely from the “trim,” or excess leaves that are typically manicured off the marijuana before sale, and which usually end up as garden waste.
“Let's say you have a million-dollar garden,” Lucky explains. “The trim is 15 percent of your yield. The Mexicans want to learn how to use it so they can add another $150,000 to [their] revenues. So these guys have realized they have a lot of trim and now they're paying people to come down and teach them—offering to put people up in nice, beautiful million-dollar homes that overlook the ocean, and all the women that you want, and someone offered me . . . that a couple of weeks ago.”
Lucky says he refused the offer because he didn't have the “political ties” to feel safe while south of the border. “I would never go to Mexico,” he says. “But they're looking for people and they're willing to pay big money. I can guarantee you: in my little circle of people that I've taught how to make the crap, there's somebody that's hungry enough for twenty or thirty grand right now that will jump on that bandwagon. It's just going to be a matter of who that guy is. And once he's done that, they're going to learn that trade, and then it just becomes infectious, and now watch what they're smuggling in: oils and hash and pot that sells in America for $1,500 a pound and they've got it for $600 a pound!”
So far, there's no evidence that the cartels are smuggling oils, extracts, or edibles into the United States, but Lucky's right about their growing sophistication when it comes to breaking into the high-grade medical-marijuana market. On November 15, 2011, for example, US Department of Homeland Security agents seized seventeen tons of marijuana on the US-Mexico border when they discovered a tunnel that appears to be the passage of one of the largest cross-border smuggling operations in recent years.
According to an Associated Press story on the bust, the tunnel was some four hundred yards long and stretched between a pair of warehouses on either side of the border—one in San Diego and the other in Tijuana. The feds told the AP that the tunnel was “one of the most significant secret passages ever found on the US-Mexico border.”
Both US and Mexican feds cooperated on the bust. Nine tons were retrieved from the warehouse in San Diego and eight tons were found on the Mexican side of the border. Agents apparently had the US warehouse under surveillance, and followed two men “in a truck packed with about three tons of pot.” A California Highway Patrol officer pulled the truck over and “was overwhelmed by the smell,” the AP reported.
Of course there's nothing too unusual about the feds seizing tons of pot headed into the US from south of the border. Two similar tunnels discovered in 2010, for example, led to the seizure of some fifty tons of weed. But what made this particular bust interesting is the kind of marijuana that was seized. It wasn't the generic Mexican brick weed, but stuff that wouldn't have looked out of place on the shelves of the most well-appointed dispensaries in California. To top it off, the Mexican pot was even packaged to look like homegrown medical marijuana, complete with labels that had the names of all-American-sounding strains such as Sprite, Bud Light, and Captain America.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.


text:
As business leaders continue to weather tough economic times, they’re looking at every line item to see where they can cut costs and reduce leaky revenue. For eCommerce merchants and fintech companies, one particularly frustrating source of revenue loss
comes from chargebacks, which are increasing and notoriously complex to resolve.
Chargebacks across the Sift network rose 35% in Q3 2022 versus Q1 2022. Along with digital goods and services and retail, fintech accounted for the third-highest number of disputes from January to September 2022.
From peer-to-peer payment services to digital wallets and the fiat purchase of alternative payment methods like crypto, the cost of chargebacks can have a significant impact on businesses' bottom lines. As key cogs in the flow of money, many fintech companies
like payment service providers and crypto exchanges are especially struggling with this issue.
The surprising source and exponential cost of chargebacks
Overall, chargebacks are costing businesses more every year. Last year, the average disputed dollar amount increased 16% to $192.53. So what’s causing this upward trajectory? Surprisingly, not all chargebacks are due to true fraud and legitimate everyday
cardholders are increasingly the biggest offenders.
Last year, nearly 75% of disputes labeled fraud were initiated by the cardholder — many without a valid reason. In fact, nearly one in every four consumers who have filed a dispute say they've participated in friendly fraud — which is when a consumer files
a chargeback despite receiving a satisfactory, unfaulty product or service.
This complicates the chargeback landscape even more, making it more difficult for businesses to know when a customer was genuinely scammed or is looking for a way to make quick money in an uncertain economy.
What’s more, the cost of a chargeback goes beyond the disputed amount and can have exponential effects on a business. An often unrecognized impact of chargebacks is customer loyalty. Many businesses don’t realize how much chargebacks can break the trust they’ve
built with their customers — 83% of whom say they’d be less willing to buy a product or service from a company if they had to file a dispute due to a fraudulent purchase on their account. 35% of customers went so far as to state that they’d never use that
How to respond to the surge in chargebacks
While businesses grapple with the rise in fraudulent chargebacks not only due to professional cybercriminals but also average consumers committing friendly fraud, they lack the infrastructure and solutions to accurately assess them.
Companies must improve their end-to-end dispute management process, ideally by implementing machine learning and intelligent automation.
By pairing machine learning algorithms with vast amounts of relevant data, thousands of different signals can be analyzed to determine the level of risk for any given transaction. This approach not only saves fraud teams’ time but also enables businesses
to minimize illegitimate chargebacks.
And if recovering revenue isn’t enough reason to put a solution in place, some financial service providers are now introducing new rules to prevent the rolling effects of chargebacks from impacting them.
For instance, this April, Visa is updating its evidence rules that will standardize what data companies should submit to establish a pattern of prior, legitimate transaction history to help prove the cardholder made the purchase. This change will shift some
of the liability away from companies to help improve their chargeback defenses.
Ultimately, companies should employ a holistic approach to defending against friendly fraud, and that starts by addressing fraud throughout the user journey – from account creation to the final transaction. Through this strategy, companies can better detect
the fraudulent signals that lead to chargeback abuse. Reducing disputes can’t be achieved in a vacuum, but by having the right technology and processes in place companies can significantly minimize the loss of revenue from illegitimate disputes.


text:
On 18 November 2021, Got Tea celebrated their first anniversary. It has been quite an eventful first year, and the founders wanted to thank their customers and the staff for sticking through and supporting Got Tea. So, a weeklong celebration was held for all to come together over their shared love of Got Tea!
For the customers
The Got Tea team wanted to thank all their customers for supporting them and loving their drinks and snacks, and to do that, they brought back customer favourites from the past. A full week of different events of these past favourites was a walk down memory lane.
Got Tea brought back their famous GOT fried chicken for two days, since many customers had been asking for it. It came as no surprise that the fried chicken days were very popular and they sold out quite quickly.
The team also held a mini version of their Squid Game event (which was previously held in October and proved to be a huge hit). And to end the week of celebrations, Got Tea brought back Stephen and Vernon, who had played a small concert at the café over the summer, for a night of cosy tunes and comforting boba.
During the birthday week celebrations, the team also launched a new flavour, Peachy Yuja, made from peach tea and a thick, pulpy syrup called Yuzu, their first drink which can be served both hot and cold. The week before the release, the team invited select loyal customers for a tasting session, to specially thank them for their support, connect with them and introduce them to their new launches.
The team also acknowledged the massive support that delivery riders have been for the success of their business, and they brought back Got on the Street to serve delivery riders their famous bubble tea and thank them for their tireless service.
For the team
The founders know that Got Tea would not be the success it has been without their hardworking team supporting them and their vision. So, on 17 November, they shut the store for the whole day and held a retreat in Chattarpur for the entire team.
Team Got Tea!
The retreat gave a chance for the Got Tea team to come together through team building exercises and get to know each other a bit more, at a personal level.
The team also discussed the past one year at Got Tea and the future of the brand, to understand how everyone fits into this vision. As Got Tea starts to expand, bringing the team together and ensuring its smooth functioning is essential to their continued success.
The future is bright
But turning one does not mean slowing down for Got Tea – rather, the team has been picking up steam! Last week, they launched another bubble tea flavour, Peachy Oolong, a mix of peach and oolong teas, brought together in milk. And they’re ready to launch two more bubble tea flavours and new croffles by the end of this year!
Turning one during these times has not been an easy feat. Many businesses do not survive this time, even without the uncertainty of a global pandemic, so for Got Tea to achieve this milestone is commendable. The founders know that they owe a lot of their success to their team and their customers, who have made this past year so very memorable. And for that, they’re so very thankful.
Here’s to many more years of Got Tea and lots more bubble tea!
This journal is an ongoing series tracing the story of Got Tea, the latest bubble tea store launched in India, located in South Delhi, now available on Zomato and Swiggy. Want to know what happens next? Stay tuned – new episodes come out every week!


text:
- Training & Events
- Buyer's Guide
GE Drivetrain Technologies, a unit of GE Transportation, and Chongqing XinXing Fengneng Investment Company Ltd. announced August 20 the formation of a joint venture company to produce large-diameter gears for the wind turbine industry.
Chongqing XinXing Gear Company Ltd. builds on 16 years of gear manufacturing experience in the automotive and motorcycle industries through its subsidiary company, Chongqing Xinxing Fengneng Company Ltd., while GE Drivetrain Technologies has provided drivetrain components to the wind turbine industry since 2004. Under the terms of the joint venture, Chongqing XinXing Fengneng will be the majority owner, and the gears will be produced in a new manufacturing facility in Chongqing, China.
A signing ceremony was held in Chongqing China with vice-mayor of Chongqing Huang Qishan and Tim Schweikert, president of GE Technology Infrastructure in China in attendance.
“As a supplier to some of the world’s leading automotive and motorcycle companies, Chongqing XinXing brings a world-class manufacturing mentality to the production of wind turbine gears,” said Schweikert. “GE Transportation’s large-diameter gear manufacturing expertise perfectly complements Chongqing XinXing’s proven high-volume gear production capabilities.”
Added Prescott Logan, business leader for GE Drivetrain Technologies, “This partnership is a key building block in our larger strategy to grow our wind drive train business in China and Asia Pacific by integrating our gear manufacturing supply chain and ensuring a secure supply of high quality gears to our Shenyang-based gearbox assembly plant.”
The joint venture is an important investment for Chongqing XinXing, as it enables the company to participate in the burgeoning Chinese wind energy market.
“We are pleased to enter this partnership with GE Transportation because of its renowned engineering expertise and global presence,” said Xingming Li, chairman, Chongqing XinXing Fengneng Investment Company. “This agreement is an exciting opportunity to expand our product line and customer base, and a great chance to upgrade our existing products and improve our management skills as we continue our proud tradition of manufacturing high-precision gears.”
Initially, the new business will manufacture gears for GE Drivetrain Technologies’ wind turbine gearbox production facility in Shenyang, China. GE Drivetrain Technologies and A-Power Energy Systems announced the development of the facility as part of a joint venture agreement in January 2009.
This agreement signifies GE Drivetrain Technologies’ commitment to the development of a local Chinese supply chain and supports China’s initiative to increase wind energy output from one gigawatt in 2005 to 100 gigawatts by 2020.
With this agreement, GE Drivetrain Technologies continues to expand its offering to the wind industry. Earlier this year, the business announced the launch of a wind generator and control systems division to complement its existing gearbox business.


text:
Grab a beer. Kick back in a leather chair and catch the game. Jump online to check e-mail. Enjoy some fraternal banter.
This isn’t the scene at some spare-room man cave. Barbershops across the country—including in Las Vegas—have been outfitting themselves for the man who, like Don Draper in Mad Men, wants to look good and is willing to pay for it.
Besides the standard shave-and-a-haircut that American barbershops have traditionally offered, these salons—or “lounges”—also offer manicures and pedicures (they call it “detailing”) and even some spa treatments, such as sports massages. But don’t expect the same serene environment found predominantly in salons and spas catering to women.
At male salons, it’s all about making guys feel at home, and that means big-screen TVs, wireless Internet access and cold beer.
At Fino, a “gentleman grooming lounge,” the clientele are generally upscale men looking for treatment beyond a traditional barber’s chair, or (dare it be said) a women’s beauty salon.
Here, men can get their hands and feet detailed, along with facials and waxings. The most popular services, though, remain the haircut and razor shaves, Fino co-owner Alejandro Hormechea says.
“These are gentlemen that spend money anyway,” he says. “This is for men that see value in presenting themselves [well] and looking the part.”
On a global scale, demand for male-specific grooming products was valued at $19.7 billion in 2009, according to Packaged Facts, a subsidiary of MarketResearch.com. By 2014, that demand is expected to increase 42.1 percent, to $28 billion, the study said.
The amenities don’t stop after the last hair is dusted of the shoulders or the final strip of wax is ripped. Fino is trying to create a sort of camaraderie among its clientele, hosting networking events for its affluent clients who, Hormechea explains, are in prestigious executive professions such as medicine, law and gaming.
Despite most businesses taking a hit lately, Hormechea says Fino’s sales increased 40 percent over the course of 2009.
“We’re taking the dying art of barbering and taking it to the next level,” he says, noting the master barbers on his staff. “We’re taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary.”
Men also have taken to spa treatments, although it doesn’t appear there are any spas in Las Vegas that cater specifically to men only.
Men’s visits to spas have remained steady for the past 10 years, accounting for 31 percent of total spa visits, according to the International Spa Association.
But increasingly, more spas are offering services for men, especially the popular basic massage. Some 80 percent of spa owners surveyed by the association last June said they now offer services to men, although there are very few that strictly cater to men only.
“Any [treatment] that caters to men is up a bit,” association public relations manager Shelby Jones says.


text:
Although big beer has been lurking around the craft beer neighborhood lately, it seems the latter isn’t too worried about the presence of the former just yet.
Similarly, although topics that can affect local tourism were tossed around this year, like stiffer regulations on short-term rentals, that sector isn’t too nervous about a decline any time soon.
And, to hear insiders say it, business in San Diego overall seems to be pretty steadily on the up-and-up.
All this according to the findings in the latest San Diego craft brewers, tourism industry and business confidence indices developed by the Cal State University San Marcos College of Business Administration and the San Diego Business Journal.
“The results are positive, from the craft brewery standpoint, tourism and the overall business industry,” said Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “Most people said things would get better and very few pointed towards negative trends. I don’t see anything on the report (indicating) things won’t get better or stay the same.”
For the fall 2018 Craft Beer Confidence Index, a survey was sent to 123 San Diego Brewers Guild members, and 48 responses were received. For the Tourism Confidence Index, 48 responses were received primarily from members of the San Diego Hotel-Motel Association and the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. The San Diego Business Confidence Index had 148 responses.
As to how the responses are rated: above 50 indicates optimism, below 50 indicates lack of confidence.
Some highlights from the surveys:
Overall, the fall 2018 Business Confidence Index had a score of 78, just one point down from the spring index, but higher than any report since fall 2015. When asked, over the next 12 months, whether the companies of those surveyed would profit, 64 percent of respondents said the number would increase, while 28 percent said it would remain the same and 8 percent said it would decrease.
Compared with the competition, when asked how their companies are performing, 54 percent said better, 38 percent said the same, and 8 percent said worse.
As for their outlook for the industry over the next 12 months, 69 percent of
respondents said they expect it to increase, 26 percent said they believe it would stay the same, and 5 percent said it would decrease.
The Craft Beer Confidence Index scored an overall grade of 91 for the fall, which is less than spring’s 93 score but more than what it was in 2016.


text:
Maize prices remain high as exports and feedstock take toll
Southern African output is expected to rise but maize prices are at export parity levels and global markets need to slow for domestic prices to fall
In regular seasons a sizeable domestic maize harvest would ordinarily lead to a decline in prices. But SA’s 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 maize production seasons have not been ordinary. The second largest maize harvest on record in the 2019/2020 production season did not lead to a notable decline in prices as some might have expected.
The weaker exchange rate, combined with increasing demand for SA’s maize in the Far East and Southern Africa, and generally higher global prices provided support to the domestic maize prices throughout 2020 and into the beginning of 2021.
The aforementioned price driving factors changed somewhat as we entered the second quarter of this year with the rand having firmed notably in recent months and demand for the southern African region likely expected to drop due to large harvest.
According to the US department of agriculture, Zambia’s 2020/2021 maize production could reach 3.4-million tonnes (up 69% year on year), Malawi’s maize harvest is estimated at 3.8-million tonnes (up 25% year on year), Mozambique’s maize crop is estimated at 2.1-million tonnes (up 8% year on year) , Kenya’s maize harvest is forecast at four-million tonnes (up 5% year on year) and Tanzania’s maize harvest is estimated at 6.3-million tonnes (up 8% year on year).
There are also prospects of a large maize harvest in Zimbabwe. In fact, analysts in these countries suggest that the harvest could be much larger than these US department of agriculture estimates. As these harvests start to come in, prices in the region are trading well below international levels.
One would think that the firmer domestic currency and potential decline in demand for SA maize compared with 2020 would have a notable effect on local maize prices. After all, the crop estimates committee forecasts that SA’s maize harvest could reach 16.1-million tonnes, which would be a 5% year on year increase and a new second-largest harvest on record.
However, the SA maize prices have remained elevated in the past few days. On May 13, spot prices for yellow and white maize in SA were up by 38% year on year and 31% year on year, trading at R3,586 per tonnes and R3,422 per tonne, respectively. Over the same period, the US maize prices were up 116% year on year at $326 per tonne — levels last seen in 2013.
A number of factors underpin the global price run. In China, import demand has increased sharply. This follows a below average crop due to flooding, rising demand from a rapid expansion in poultry production and an accelerated rebuilding of its pig herd after African Swine Fever related reductions in 2018 and 2019. In the first quarter of 2021, Chinese pork production had increased 32% year on year and its pig herd was 30% larger than the same time in 2020.
The rebuilding has been accompanied by a modernisation of production practices and increased feeding of rations high in maize and protein meal. All these factors contributed to high domestic maize prices in China and strong demand for imported maize, at a time when global stocks are dwindling after a smaller than anticipated crop in the US last year. Also, concerns are mounting with regards to Brazil’s maize crops due to persistent drought conditions. This is worsened by arid soils in Canada where planting is about to start, as well as dryness in parts of the US.
SA is typically a net exporter of maize, and is therefore well integrated into global markets. Our rough calculations, using high-frequency data, shows that the correlation between domestic and international maize prices remains positive, about 60% for white maize and 85% for yellow maize. This implies that, when global maize markets show an increase, the domestic maize prices tend to rise in tandem.
The work by fellow agricultural economist Ferdi Meyer and his colleagues at the Bureau for Food & Agricultural Policy indicates that this transmission is stronger during periods when SA trades into the global market. The only exception would be in years where SA moves from an import parity-based situation, due to below average harvests locally, to an export parity-based situation once volumes recover, resulting in lower domestic prices.
Given that SA already produced a surplus in 2019/2020, prices remain at export parity and even in the face of the expected large maize harvest, we continue to observe a notable increase in domestic maize prices due to the international market dynamics.
Notably, the maize prices have implications on the animal feed industry and consumer food price inflation. Yellow maize is the primary source of energy in livestock and poultry feed and typically accounts for about 60% of rations. Consequently, the higher prices could continue adding cost pressures to this subsector.
The chicken-to-maize price ratio, which is considered a basic indicator of profitability for the sector, has deteriorated to levels last seen in early 2017, even if they remain slightly higher than the peak of the 2016 drought. Higher feed prices will also affect other feed intensive livestock sectors, such as pork production, as well as cattle feedlots.
Similarly, if maize prices remain elevated, we may soon have to review our views on SA’s consumer food price inflation, as related grain products form a large share of 21% in the food inflation basket. Research by fellow agricultural economist Marlene Louw indicates that maize prices are transmitted to maize meal prices with a long run elasticity of 0.63, suggesting that 63% of the increase in maize prices will ultimately reach the consumers in the price of maize meal.
We had previously held a constructive view that SA’s food inflation would potentially average about 5% in 2021, assuming benign grain prices. In the face of the persistent rise in grain prices, we might be inclined to revisit this view in the coming month.
Given that SA maize prices are at export parity levels, international markets will need to slow for domestic prices to decline. As things stand, weather conditions in the US, Canada and the greater part of Europe and the Black Sea are key events to watch as they continue to influence planting decisions, crop conditions and ultimately, prices.
International vegetable oil and oilseed prices also remain high, suggesting that oilseeds will compete strongly with grains for area expansion. So, when South Africans are confronted with higher grains products prices in the coming months at the retail level, they should realise that such increases result from global occurrence and not domestic developments and price manipulations.
• Sihlobo is chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA, while Davids leads the commodity markets division of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy.
Would you like to comment on this article or view other readers' comments?
Register (it’s quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.