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If you are planning to pick up the Sony PS4 console when it is released in the US towards the end of this year, you’ll want to know the following key piece of information that Sony failed to mention during their press conference in New York earlier this week. As most of you saw, the new system comes with a brand new DualShock 4 controller and with it, brand new technologies such as a touch pad, sharing button and enhanced motion sensing capabilities.
It looks very impressive indeed and should give developers a lot more freedom and innovative ideas when they start to build games for the new console. However, there is one negative aspect involved and this is due to the fact that your existing PS3 Dual Shock 3 controller will not be supported on Sony’s new hardware.
We saw at the event that PS3 playback will come via Gaikai streaming, but it looks like users will still have to use their new Dual Shock 4 pad or PS Vita to control the games. This is obviously a bit disappointing for those that wanted to carry their pads over to the new system, but then again it is not an entirely surprising decision given all of the new tech that is built inside the PS4 hardware.
On a more pleasing note though, we can also confirm that every PS4 system is going to come supplied with a headset, since the new DualShock 4 pads come with a built in headphone jack. This is obviously a fantastic addition to the new generation of games, as it means that everyone will be able to communicate online with each other and it should enhance those games that thrive on good communications – like online shooters for example.
If you have an existing Move controller, you’ll be pleased to hear that this will still work with the PS4 so there’s no need to buy a new one. Give us your thoughts on the lack of PS3 DualShock 3 support for the new console – is this is a huge problem for you or not?
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Technology companies may be hiding behind legal jargon to avoid being more forthcoming in their responses to new documents on government surveillance that were disclosed Friday, some experts say.
Tumblr is working to resolve an issue causing seemingly random content to be posted to people's blogs that they didn't put there themselves, with pornography showing up in some instances.
Chinese police have detained two Internet users for allegedly starting online rumors that tried to defame government groups and a cultural icon in the nation.
Google needs help. More specifically, the Internet giant is looking for people who are experts on basically anything to lead some of the first sessions for its soon-to-launch Helpouts video calling program.
Many companies have begun using specialized software to analyze what people are saying about their products and services on social media, and now SAP says it can help them match up individuals' social profiles with customer history data from CRM (cus...
YouTube is adding some new video-playing functions to its mobile app on both iOS and Android devices. Some of the tools are aimed at giving users more control over how they stream video to their television sets using Chromecast, Google's new video st...
Twitter has announced a new feature designed to give people a better sense of the context behind the site's characteristically short, 140-character tweets.
Some recent cases of news articles about same-sex marriage disappearing from the newspaper page on Facebook appear to have been caused by a bug and not a policy violation, the social network said.
Facebook plans to test a new service designed to streamline the check-out process for people shopping on their mobile devices. It could become a competitor to other e-commerce players like PayPal.
Google is shutting down its Messenger group chatting service as part of an update to its Google+ app for Android-based devices, the company recently announced. Google will also be ditching the service on iOS devices.
Twitter has acquired Marakana, a company that provides open-source training, as part of an effort to develop new skills among its engineers.
Facebook is acquiring a company that specializes in speech interpretation and translation software. The move, disclosed Monday, could help Facebook better connect its users across the globe.
Path, the social network designed to better connect people who are already well-acquainted, is opening up its API to 13 outside developers to give its users more ways to share content.
Users of the Google Maps app will soon start seeing more ways to interact with paid content within the app, the company recently announced.
Twitter has announced a new program to analyze some users' activity on the site to give marketers better information about how companies' tweets impact sales in physical stores.
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Why Are New & Used Cars So Scarce These Days?
What is the cause of the used car shortage and when will the car shortage end? We take a look at some of the factors impacting those answers.
December 10, 2021
The economy over the last few years has been downright strange.
From mass layoffs and economic panic in early 2020 to a speedy economic recovery that few saw coming, it’s been difficult to predict what will happen next.
Now, we’re facing another quirk: A massive car shortage.
If you’ve tried to buy a new or used car recently, you may have noticed an astronomical price tag.
What’s going on? And when will the car shortage end?
Why it’s hard to find new and used cars
The used car shortage is caused by the new car shortage. Because there aren’t many new cars on dealership lots, people are turning to the used market to purchase vehicles.
But what’s causing the shortage of new vehicles? There are three factors:
A shortage of microchips
Manufacturing delays due to the pandemic
Strong demand due to the rapid economic recovery
The chip shortage
Chips, also known as semiconductors, are tiny electronic components that power our smartphones, computers and vehicles. A shortage of chips is the primary driver of the global vehicle shortage.
Even before the pandemic, the demand for these chips outpaced the supply.
Manufacturers ordered as many chips as possible to produce everything from iPhones to TVs and Ford F150’s. And chip suppliers just couldn’t keep up.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which increased demand for chips. To stay busy at home, locked-down citizens around the globe ordered new computers and electronics.
At the same time, several chip manufacturers were forced to suspend operations to slow the spread of COVID-19. Large outbreaks in Asia (the center of global chip manufacturing) resulted in halted production, which worsened the global chip shortage.
Today, manufacturers still haven’t been able to catch up — and demand for these chips is multiplying. Continued COVID-19 lockdowns in some countries have further worsened the manufacturing problem.
Chips & vehicles
You might not think of microchips as an important part of a vehicle, but chips play an essential role in the modern vehicle. Increasingly advanced technology in our vehicles relies on chips, and without them, automakers can’t keep producing the normal amount of new cars.
The chip shortage has hit the automotive industry particularly hard. Globally, analysts expect that the semiconductor shortage will cost the automotive industry over $210 billion in 2021 alone.
When will the car shortage end? It’s hard to say — but the forecasts aren't looking good.
When will the car shortage end?
Analysts expect the chip shortage to improve by 2023, which should help end the car shortage.
However, it’s difficult to predict what this means for car shoppers. Because of the ongoing delays, many cars are pre-ordered and paid for before production.
So while the chip shortage may get better by 2023, it’s unclear whether the car shortage will end.
Why are cars so expensive now?
You may have noticed that car prices are on the rise. This has several underlying causes.
The shortage of cars is the primary driver. Dealers have fewer vehicles to offer, so they’re forced to raise prices to maintain profitability.
Likewise, individuals selling their cars know that they’ll need to pay more for a new vehicle, so they sell their car for more than anticipated. Strong demand from purchasers means that there’s no shortage of buyers lined up — even when the price is high.
How much do cars usually cost, compared to their current price?
In just the first six months of 2021, used car prices surged by 32%. That means that a used car that costs $10,000 in January 2021 would cost $13,200 six months later. Unfortunately, the trend has continued, with substantial increases in used car prices recorded each month.
Is now a good time to sell a car?
If you have a second or third vehicle sitting around, this could be a good time to sell. The demand is strong, and prices are substantially higher than in past years.
However, if you plan to replace the car with a new one, that’s where you’ll run into a problem. You may get more for your used car — but you'll also need to pay substantially more for a new vehicle.
The good news is that dealers are offering generous deals on trade-ins as they seek to improve their inventory of used vehicles.
Buying a vehicle with a car loan
Prices on both new and used vehicles are up substantially — but what does this mean for buyers who plan to take out an auto loan?
Well, it means you’ll be paying more — both in terms of your monthly payment and the total cost of the vehicle over time.
The shortage of vehicles has also led to a reduction in low-interest auto loans available.
Dealerships used to offer low-interest loans (even 0% loans) when customers purchased a new vehicle. But now, with shortages of vehicles, dealers don’t need to offer these promotional deals.
How to avoid high-interest rates on car loans
It’s difficult to find promotional low-interest-rate loans these days, but there are still some ways to get a better deal:
Shop around for the best rate
Consider using a credit union instead of the dealership’s loan options
Talk to your bank to explore all your options
As you explore loans, you may be wondering, “Can I negotiate my car loan interest rate?” During the purchase process, you may be able to, particularly if you’re buying from and getting financing through a dealership. However, with the car shortage, dealerships are less likely to negotiate.
Finally, you may get a better loan if you clean up your credit before applying. The higher your credit score, the better chance you have at a lower interest rate from a lender.
One simple way to improve your credit is to pay off debt. If you have credit card debt, check out Tally†. Tally is a credit card debt repayment tool that helps qualifying users streamline debt payoff.
†To get the benefits of a Tally line of credit, you must qualify for and accept a Tally line of credit. Based on your credit history, the APR (which is the same as your interest rate) will be between 7.90% - 29.99% per year. The APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Annual fees range from $0 - $300.


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Ford’s stand was dominated by four models: the Flex, a slammed, seven-seat SUV with Range Rover-styling cues; the iconic F-150 pick up; the Focus; and, of course, the Mustang.
With an ear-splitting V8 roar, Ford unveiled a 50-edition run of the Cobra Jet Mustang, and the F-150 SVT Raptor, a go-anywhere extreme version of the pick-up, which will bounce across sand dunes in the Baja California race later this month before going on sale next year. But tucked away in a corner was a less environmentally destructive F-150, shaped by British engineering firm PML.
This electric F-150 has motors in each wheel hub, generating 500hp in total. PML estimates that the plug-in pick-up can travel 100 miles on a single charge of the battery pack, weighing 450kg and mounted in the chassis. Top speed is around 100mph.
‘The electric motors are at the advanced prototype stage – we have a Mini running at Lotus using the system,’ said sales director Peter Christie. ‘We’re talking to the OEMs about putting it into production.’
Causing a commotion at the other end of the size spectrum was the Transit Connect van, a European staple that arrives Sateside in 2009. ‘What the hell is that?’ said a passing local, nodding at the baby blue van, complete with GT supercar-style racing stripes, 19-inch rims, red bucket seats and a massive sound system plumbed into the cargo bay. No V8 up front, though: the Transit runs a modest 136hp 2.0-litre petrol.


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On Wednesday, enterprise cloud-based company Workday (NYSE:WDAY) reported its first public earnings report (you can read the call transcript here). The company's third quarter showed strong revenue growth and gave investors a peak beyond the IPO to see where the company is headed in the future. I highlighted Workday's recent IPO and encouraged investors to "Buy Into This IPO For The Long-Term Growth." Hopefully, today's earnings report highlighted that growth.
Revenue increased 99% to hit $72.6 million in the third quarter. Subscription revenue came in at $51.6 million, an increase of 116%. The company reported a non-GAAP net loss of $23.9 million, representing earnings per share of -$0.39.
Chairman and co-founder Aneel Bhusri had this to say about the company's first public quarter:
Workday had a strong third quarter, and we continue to make great strides as we build for the long term. Our pace of innovation, high levels of customer satisfaction, and employee-centric culture are key contributors to our growth. With these differentiators, we see more companies choosing Workday to bring HR, finance, and analytics to the cloud.
Here is a look at how total revenue has increased over the last two years:
|Quarter||Subscription Revenue||Professional Revenue||Total Revenue|
|Q1 2012||$16.1 million||$8.6 million||$24.7 million|
|Q2 2012||$19.7 million||$10.5 million||$30.5 million|
|Q3 2012||$23.9 million||$12.6 million||$36.5 million|
|Q4 2012||$29.0 million||$14.1 million||$43.2 million|
|Q1 2013||$36.9 million||$19.9 million||$56.8 million|
|Q2 2013||$42.2 million||$20.5 million||$62.7 million|
|Q3 2013||$51.6 million||$21.0 million||$72.6 million|
Cash and cash equivalents rose during the quarter, due to the recent IPO. Workday had $797.4 million as of Oct. 31, after receiving proceeds of $684.6 million from the IPO. Unearned revenue increased 64% to $252.2 million.
New customers continue to increase for Workday. Around the time of Workday's IPO, the company had 340 customers. In the third quarter, the company added key customers including DuPont, Johnson Controls, Yale University, J.B. Hunt, and Hewlett-Packard. In total, the company added 31 customers in the third quarter and now has a total of 356 at quarter's end. One key thing to point out is how Workday counts its revenue from customers. In a multiyear deal, which is the majority of contracts from Workday, the first year revenue is listed in the unearned revenue.
I mentioned in my IPO writeup on Workday that several key new applications could be a reason to buy shares, as customers will increase along with revenue. In August, Workday rolled out a new attendance application called Workday Time Tracking. Two new applications were announced during the third-quarter earnings call. Workday Big Data Analytics will roll out in the second half of 2013. Workday Recruiting will roll out in the first half of 2014. The company hopes both of these applications provide more reasons to choose Workday.
Workday expects fourth-quarter revenue to hit $75 million to $79 million, of which $56 million to $58 million will be from subscription revenue. This marks a 74%-83% year-over-year increase for total revenue. Analysts on Yahoo Finance are calling for revenue of $63.97 in the fourth quarter and earnings per share of -$0.59. For the fiscal year, analysts see the company posting a net loss of -$1.49 per share and revenue of $253.79 million.
Since Workday's IPO, shares have traded between $45.05 and $57.21. Shares shot up on Wednesday in the after-hours trading session after the earnings report. Workday shares have since retreated and now trade at $50.43. Shares originally priced at $28 for their IPO, after two previous ranges of $21-$24 and $24-$26. Strong demand raised the offering price and also caused shares to soar in their first publicly traded day. I continue to like Workday going forward with its minimal international exposure and opportunity for growth, growing sequential revenue, and new applications. If shares drop below $50, you should consider buying and holding.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, but may initiate a long position in WDAY over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.


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- Gionee’s to tweak India strategy
The company has doubled its marketing budget to Rs 500 crore this year from a year ago, which includes Rs 200 crore for a rebranding excrcise.
- Gionee to set up manufacturing base in North India
Gionee sources about 30-40% of the handsets sold in the country from two domestic vendors, while the rest are imported.
- Gionee scouts for land in North India for manufacturing base
Kolkata, Jun 2 () Chinese mobile handset maker Gionee is scouting for land in North India for setting up its manufacturing base in the country, a top company official said today.
- Gionee S8 with 3D Touch to launch in India on August 9
Gionee is all set to launch its S8 smartphone in India. The Chinese company has sent out media invites for an event scheduled on August 9, where it will reportedly launch the device.
- Gionee M6 smartphone spotted on Chinese certification site TENAA
The yet to be announced phone has now surfaced on Chinese certification site TENAA.
- Gionee India eyes top 5 slot
Gionee India eyes top 5 slot
- Gionee Marathon M5 Plus review: Powerful performer
Bearing a price tag of Rs 26,999, Gionee Marathon M5 Plus is an upper mid-range smartphone. As such, it is bound to face tough competition from the likes of Xiaomi Mi 5 and OnePlus 3. We spent some days with the handset to find out whether it’s capable of making a mark for itself in the fiercely contested Indian smartphone market.
- Gionee to launch S6 Pro smartphone on June 13
Gionee is all set to launch its S6 Pro smartphone in China. The company has an event scheduled for June 13, where it will likely launch the smartphone. The Gionee S6 Pro is considered to be the successor to last year's S6.
- Hungama teams up with Gionee Colors Gima awards for second time
Hungama, India's first and largest digital entertainment destination has partnered with The 6th Gionee Colors Gima Awards co powered by Hungama & Renault Global Indian Music Academy (GiMA) Awards once again, marking their second consecutive association.
- Gionee to launch Marathon M6 Plus with a massive 6,020mAh battery soon
Apart from the battery capacity, the smartphone will come with an added security chip to offer enhanced encryption.
- Gionee S6 Pro launched with 5.5-inch Full HD display, fingerprint sensor
Gionee has launched its S6 Pro smartphone in China. Priced at $300, the smartphone will be available in Rose Gold, Silver and Gold colour options. It is up for sale on Gionee’s official online store in China.
- Gionee Marathon M6, M6 Plus launched with 5000mAh and 6020mAh battery
Gionee's research and development team has created an in-house power-management system that makes use of several sensors and measurements to optimise the two handsets’ power consumption.
- Comparison: Nextbit Robin vs LG Stylus 2 vs Gionee S6
Nextbit launched its first flagship smartphone Robin in India with a price tag of Rs 19,999.
- Now, Gionee dials AP to 'Make in India'
In yet another leg up for AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's 'Make in AP' pitch, Chinese mobile phone maker Gionee launched its first 'Made in India' smartphone at Vizag on Monday.
- Gionee F103 Pro with 4G VoLTE support, Android Marshmallow launched at Rs 11,999
Gionee has launched the latest smartphone in its F (Fashion) series. Dubbed Gionee F103 Pro, the device comes in Gold, White and Gray colour options at a price tag of Rs 11,999. The smartphone is available through retail stores and official Gionee online store.


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When Kevin Conzo received the devastating phone call that his 6-year-old son had died in a car accident, he spent each day of the next three months “putting one foot in front of the other.”
It took rediscovering a family tradition to help him recover a passion for life and honor his son’s memory.
On Oct. 1, Conzo officially launched Zachary Dean’s Italian Cuisine, a catering business that delivers home-style Italian food to the community. The business is named after Zachary Dean Conzo, who was killed March 31 in a car accident after his mother, Kristin Conzo, suffered a medical emergency and crashed on Chuckanut Drive. The 2007 Ford Escape came to rest on its roof in Oyster Creek, about 40 feet below the road. Kristin Conzo, who is Kevin’s ex-wife, survived the crash.
The launch date is significant: Oct.1 would have marked Zachary’s seventh birthday.
It took time for Kevin Conzo to find a way to memorialize his son. After struggling for months, in summer he began to get back into cooking, whipping up cannoli and other dishes he had learned from his mother and grandmother growing up in Massachusetts.
As he began cooking more often for family and friends, he started getting more requests and soon rediscovered his passion for cooking. By August, he realized his cooking could be a business.
More importantly, he had his answer on how to memorialize his son.
To him, Zachary was someone who always had a smile on his face and a special glow about him. It is those qualities and Zachary’s passion for life that Kevin Conzo wants to incorporate into his business.
“I’m missing out on raising my son, but now I can raise a business in his honor,” Kevin Conzo said. “I want to treat customers the same way that I think Zachary would treat them. It’s the reputation of my son that keeps me in check.”
The business plans to donate 2 percent of its profits to local nonprofit organizations each month.
In October, Kevin Conzo rented out a kitchen and began hiring employees, including Matthew Hilliard, who works as the food and community coordinator. One of Hilliard’s tasks is to make sure the ingredients are locally sourced, which includes making ricotta cheese with milk bought at Twin Brook Creamery in Lynden.
Along with locally sourced food, Kevin Conzo said he wants to bring more of an Italian dinner experience to his customers. The company’s goal is to reach hurried families who need a break from cooking dinner but want something more than a typical delivery or a quick meal bought on the way home. Zachary Dean’s Italian Cuisine also does catered events and is gearing up for the office holiday party season.
“I just want to bring that relaxed, nice atmosphere to dinner,” he said.


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Greater Vancouver Statistics Video:
Read the Greater Vancouver Statistics Report:
Metro Vancouver housing market holds steady in October
An increase in newly listed properties is providing more choice to home buyers across Metro Vancouver, but sales remain below long-term averages.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,996 in October 2023, a 3.7 per cent increase from the 1,924 sales recorded in October 2022. This total is 29.5 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,832) for October.
“With properties coming to market at a rate roughly five per cent above the ten-year seasonal average, there seems to be a continuation of the renewed interest on the part of sellers to participate in the market that we’ve been watching this fall,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. “Counterbalancing this increase in supply, however, is the fact sales remain almost 30 per cent below their ten-year seasonal average, which tells us demand is not as strong as we might expect this time of year.”
There were 4,664 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in October 2023. This represents a 15.4 per cent increase compared to the 4,043 properties listed in October 2022 and is 4.8 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (4,449) for the month.
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 11,599, a 12.6 per cent increase compared to October 2022 (10,305). This change is also 0.6 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (11,526).
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for October 2023 is 17.9 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 12.9 per cent for detached homes, 20.9 per cent for attached, and 21.5 per cent for apartments.
Analysis of the historical data suggests…
Statistics Reports by Area:
Click the Link Above for Detailed Report
Welcome to the Greater Vancouver Monthly Statistics Report. This report provides a comprehensive overview of key indicators and trends in the Greater Vancouver area. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or just curious about the local economy, we've got you covered.
The Greater Vancouver housing market continues to exhibit robust activity as of July 2023. In the most recent data, the average home price surged by 8.5% compared to the previous month, setting a new record high at $1.25 million. This remarkable increase is influenced by persistent demand and constrained supply. The scarcity of available housing options, coupled with rising interest rates, has led to a marginal decline in home sales. Particularly noteworthy is the resilient demand for condos and townhouses, which remain an enticing prospect for first-time homebuyers in this competitive market.
Rental Market: The rental landscape in Greater Vancouver remains intensely competitive, showcasing a dynamic environment in July 2023. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment further ascended, escalating by 7% to reach $1,900. This escalation is driven by a growing population and a limited availability of affordable rentals. Prospective tenants are advised to commence their search well ahead of time and brace themselves for potential bidding wars, as the demand for rental properties persists.
Employment: The job market in Greater Vancouver remains on an encouraging trajectory as of July 2023. The unemployment rate has receded to an impressive 4.3%, demonstrating a substantial recovery from the economic setbacks of the pandemic. Spearheading this recuperation are the technology, healthcare, and construction sectors, which are experiencing notable job growth. As businesses progressively reopen and expand their operations, the outlook for job seekers is anticipated to further improve.
Tourism and Hospitality: The tourism and hospitality sector in Greater Vancouver is gradually rebounding from the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, evident in the latest data available from July 2023. With the relaxation of travel restrictions, hotels and attractions are observing an upswing in bookings. The hotel occupancy rate for the month reached a commendable 75%, underscoring significant progress compared to earlier months. Despite these advancements, the industry remains confronted with challenges, including labor shortages and ongoing uncertainties associated with international travel.
Retail and Consumer Spending: Retail sales in the Greater Vancouver region continue their upward trajectory, propelled by burgeoning consumer confidence. July witnessed a 6% surge in retail sales, bolstered by robust performances in sectors such as apparel, electronics, and home improvement. The digital shopping trend persists, with e-commerce sales contributing significantly to overall retail figures. Local businesses are proactively adapting by amplifying their online presence and providing expedient delivery alternatives.
Transportation: Transportation infrastructure continues to be a focal point in Greater Vancouver, as evident in the latest developments through July 2023. Notable enhancements are observed in the public transit system, including the expansion of bus routes and the integration of electric buses. Progress in the construction of the Broadway Subway Line is underway, promising heightened connectivity between Vancouver and neighboring municipalities. Concurrently, efforts to advocate cycling and walking as sustainable modes of transportation are gaining momentum.
Sustainability: The commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness remains resolute in Greater Vancouver. As of July 2023, initiatives aimed at waste reduction, energy conservation, and the promotion of electric vehicles persist. The completion of additional electric vehicle charging stations in the month exemplifies support for the burgeoning adoption of electric vehicles within the region.
Conclusion: July marks another month of promising developments for the Greater Vancouver area in 2023. The housing market continues its vigorous pace, navigating supply limitations, while the job market maintains its recovery momentum. Progress in the tourism and hospitality sector is evident, accompanied by a healthy uptick in consumer spending. Ongoing efforts to augment transportation infrastructure and foster sustainability remain at the forefront.
Are you looking to buy or sell property? If you’d like, we can have a real estate expert show you the most efficient process that saves you thousands of dollars, a lot of time, with little or no inconvenience to you. Contact us today!


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FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Fort Collins' first licensed retail marijuana shop will begin to sell recreational marijuana on Friday.
Organic Alternatives, at 813 Smithfield Dr., is the first of Fort Collins' existing medical marijuana dispensaries to obtain a local license to sell retail pot. The city passed an ordinance in 2014 requiring that only existing medical marijuana businesses may apply for local retail or cultivation licenses.
According to records released on June 3, the state has issued retail marijuana licenses to two other Fort Collins businesses -- Choice Organics Inc. at 346 E. Mountain Ave. and Flower Power Botanicals LLC at 1308 Duff Dr.
Before they can start retail sales, however, those businesses must obtain a local license as well. Chief Deputy City Clerk Rita Harris said Wednesday that neither of the two businesses currently has applications pending. Once they do, the process took two months for Organic Alternatives, but there is no mandated deadline.
Colorado voters legalized retail marijuana sales statewide effective Jan. 1, but individual municipalities can opt out.


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Consumer Confidence Surges to One-Year High in March
Shoppers are feeling the most optimistic about current conditions that they have since U.S. lockdowns first went into place.
Information and analytics company Nielsen conducts the Consumer Confidence Survey every month for The Conference Board; it gathered data for its most recent survey through March 19.
What it found in its latest survey is that consumers are feeling much better about current conditions.
The Consumer Confidence Index surged ahead in March to its highest reading in a year, up from 90.4 in February to 109.7.
Additionally, the Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, was also up, rising from 89.6 to 110.0.
The Expectations Index, measuring consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, also improved, from 90.9 in February to 109.6 in March.
“Consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their short-term outlook improved significantly, an indication that economic growth is likely to strengthen further in the coming months,” said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board.
“Consumers’ renewed optimism boosted their purchasing intentions for homes, autos, and several big-ticket items. However, concerns of inflation in the short-term rose, most likely due to rising prices at the pump, and may temper spending intentions in the months ahead.”
Shopper assessment of current conditions improved dramatically in March, with the percentage of those indicating they believed business conditions are “good” increasing from 16.1 percent to 18.5 percent, while those saying they thought business conditions are “bad” fell from 39.7 percent to 30.5 percent.
Their assessment of the labor market was also more optimistic; the percentage of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” increased from 21.6 percent to 26.3 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” declined from 22.4 percent to 18.5 percent.
And when it came to optimism about the short-term outlook and the job market, attitudes were markedly better.
The percentage of consumers saying they expect business conditions will improve over the next six months rose from 30.7 percent to 40.8 percent, while the percentage expecting conditions to worsen fell from 17.7 percent to 11.0 percent.
Meanwhile, the percentage expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased from 27.4 percent to 36.1 percent, and those anticipating fewer jobs declined from 21.3 percent to 13.4 percent.
And when it came to income fluctuations in the short term, 15.5 percent of consumers expect theirs to increase in the next six months, a slight increase from 14.8 percent that said the same in February. But 13.3 percent expect their income to decrease, which is also up slightly from 12.9 percent last month.
More than 250 gem, jewelry, and mineral companies are expected to exhibit, including the American Gem Trade Association.
This year’s Design Atelier is full of gems.
They’re a testament to the power of excellent design.
The most trusted diamond report, available in print or the GIA App.
This year’s honorees include one of Florida’s largest independent jewelers and two multi-store independents in the Chicago and New York areas.
The industry’s most influential contemporary designers are showcasing their latest jewelry designs.
Created by Maitri Lab-Grown Diamonds and graded by IGI, it’s slightly bigger than the record-setting lab-grown diamond GIA just examined.
Navigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.
The marketing agency has integrated its first C-suite.
The jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.
Luxury kicks off today, with the full show in swing on Friday.
One of the three new collections was inspired by the legend of a woman who traded her mansion to Cartier for two strands of natural pearls.
Rob Ballew will be tasked with communicating the jewelry giant’s plans and financial performance to investors.
With the app, customers receive a 15-day insurance offer on new purchases while their coverage needs are being evaluated.
It is in House of Showfields, a bazaar-style retail space in the borough’s Williamsburg neighborhood.
From consumer trends to retail technology, these are the JCK Talks sessions that should be on attendees’ radar.
Signature pieces from Cartier and David Webb will appear in the June jewelry auction.
They will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.
Gemologists have long used machines in diamond grading but technology has made it possible for them to “learn” how to do it on their own.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by IGI
Watch retailers Jeffery Bolling and Bobby Bengivengo discuss employee training, customer education and the sticky subject of future value.
The company has plans to revamp the Movado brand and offer less expensive watches this year.
Set with a 118-carat unheated Sri Lankan sapphire, it just sold for $3.4 million at Phillips jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Sponsored by Noam Carver
As cybercrime incidents threaten the industry, jewelers need to know what they’re up against and the best ways to protect their businesses.
The Pittsburgh jeweler is redoing the lighting and showcases, and adding a full hospitality bar as well as new shop-in-shops.
The Yurman Family Crystalline Pass is inside the museum’s brand-new Richard Gilder Center.


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(Reuters) – You may need to sit down for this.
Shares of Herman Miller <MLHR.O> soared 34% on Thursday after the office chair seller posted blowout quarterly results and joined an expanding list of companies reinstating their dividends as they become more confident about recovering from the coronavirus.
Herman Miller late on Wednesday reported revenue and earnings far above analysts’ expectations, with sales from its retail segment surging 40% thanks to strong demand from people kitting out their home offices due to the pandemic.
Pointing to “our confidence in the strategic direction of the business, strong liquidity position and operating performance this quarter,” the Zeeland, Michigan company also re-established its quarterly cash dividend, which it suspended in early April, one of several steps it took then to cut costs due to the coronavirus threat.
Shares of Steelcase <SCS.N>, an office furniture competitor that reports its quarterly results on Sept. 22, surged 14%.
S&P 500 companies slashed or suspended over $40 billion in dividends in the second quarter, the deepest quarterly drop since 2009, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
But after cuts tapered off mid-year as the U.S. economy began to rebound, S&P Dow Jones Indices estimated that S&P 500 companies would see only a 2% decline in overall 2020 dividend payments, not nearly as dire as analyst projections earlier this year of around a 10% drop.
As coronavirus lockdowns ease and businesses reopen, several U.S. companies have now restarted their dividends or increase existing dividends.
“The rebound of dividend and buyback sentiment together with the stabilization of dividend cut announcements suggest the worst may be over and a sharp drop in cash returns in 2H20 is unlikely,” Evercore ISI strategist Dennis DeBusschere wrote in a recent client note.
Microsoft <MSFT.O>, which has soared to record highs during the pandemic, this week hiked its dividend by 10%.
Companies recently reinstating dividends include Guess <GES.N>, on Sept. 2, and Estee Lauder <EL.N> on Aug. 20. Foot Locker <FL.N> also resumed its dividend in August, even as the shoe retailer declined to reinstate its full-year 2020 guidance because of ongoing uncertainty related to COVID-19.
(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Marguerita Choy)


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Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) announced today that it had completed its acquisition of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Combination of the local entities worldwide will proceed in accordance with local laws.
New version of Sidux was released on 31st December 2009, shipping with kernel 2.6.32 and KDE 4.3.4 in the following flavors: KDE-lite, amd64, en/ de, ≈585 MB. KDE-lite, i686, en/ de, ≈580 MB. KDE-full, amd64+i686, en/ de (bg, da, el, es, fr, hr, hu, it, ja, nl, pt, pt_BR, ro, ru through liveapt) ≈2.1 GB. […]
The browser war is back on. This time, Microsoft’s opponent is Google, a familiar foe. On Tuesday, Google will release a free Web browser called Chrome that the company said would challenge Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, as well as the Firefox browser. In a curious twist, Google made its online announcement after its plans appeared as […]
Karanbir Singh has announced the release of CentOS 5.3, a Linux distribution rebuilt from source package for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3: “We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of CentOS 5.3 for the i386 and x86_64 architectures. CentOS 5.3 is based on the upstream release EL 5.3, and includes packages from all variants, […]


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latest news releases from the newsroom
Dow Jones Indexes
Component Changes Made to Dow Jones and Dow Jones STOXX Select Dividend Indexes
ZURICH, Switzerland, July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- STOXX Ltd., the leading provider of European equity indexes, and Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider, today announced changes in the Dow Jones STOXX Select Dividend 30, Dow Jones STOXX Global Select Dividend 100 and Dow Jones U.K. Select Dividend 20 indexes.
Integrated BioPharma, Inc.
Integrated BioPharma's Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, AgroLabs, Introduces Seven New Liquid Dietary Supplements
HILLSIDE, N.J., July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- AgroLabs, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Integrated BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:INBP), announced today the launch of seven new products to promote healthy lifestyles and serve growing consumer needs, including Superberry Upgrade(tm), Green Envy Daily Detox(tm), Peaceful Sleep(tm), RECALL IT Memory Formula(tm), Cardio Support(tm), Liquid First Choice(tm) and Naturally Acai Xtra(tm). These products will be launched globally in target markets and via the Internet through AgroLabs and in partnership with our major retailers.
GulfMark Offshore, Inc.
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. Announces 2nd Quarter 2008 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call Information
HOUSTON, July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (NYSE:GLF) today announced plans to release earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008, before the market opens on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. The Company will also conduct a conference call to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties at 9:00 a.m. EDT the same day. Those who wish to participate in the conference call should dial 877-381-5943 in the United States or 706-679-4543 from outside.
ALLDATA Posts White Papers On Alldata.com
ELK GROVE, Calif., July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- ALLDATA LLC has announced the availability of white papers on its website, www.alldata.com. White papers on topics of interest to automotive service and collision professionals cover subjects such as: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, Preventive Maintenance, Shop Management Systems, Hybrid Technology, Advanced High Strength Steel, The Value of OEM Information and more.
Roy Jacobs & Associates
Roy Jacobs & Associates Announces Investigation of FCStone Group, Inc. for Possible Securities Law Violations
NEW YORK, July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Roy Jacobs & Associates announces it is investigating possible securities law violations concerning the announcement by FCStone Group, Inc. ("FCStone" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:FCSX) that earnings for the third quarter of 2008 would be significantly below estimates due in material part to a hedge transaction which the Company terminated, booking material losses for the quarter on a mark-to-market basis.
Management Services Inc
Management Services, Inc. -- Correction and Revision -- Special Shareholder's Meeting
HOUSTON, July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Management Services, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MGSV) wishes to correct and revise the previous announcement. The Company previously announced that the annual meeting of the shareholders would be held at 1:30 p.m. on July 15, 2008 at the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hotel, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33304.
Rosetta Resources Inc.
Rosetta Resources Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2008 Financial Conference Call
HOUSTON, July 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Rosetta Resources Inc. ("Rosetta") (Nasdaq:ROSE) today announced it will hold its second quarter 2008 results conference call on Monday, August 11, 2008. The call will be hosted by Randy L. Limbacher, Rosetta's President and Chief Executive Officer, and will cover the second quarter of 2008 financial and operating results as well as an updated outlook for 2008. The conference call will broadcast live over the internet.


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Reach, Frequency and Beyond. Insights from Comscore and YouTube.
Comscore Releases First Public Report of Online Usage in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea, June 8, 2009 – Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its first overview of Web usage in South Korea. The report includes a ranking of the most visited Internet properties, based on the Comscore World Metrix audience measurement service, and the top search properties, based on the Comscore qSearch service. In April 2009, 28 million people in South Korea age 15 and older accessed the Internet from home and work locations, consuming an average of 4,158 pages of content and spending an average of 26 hours per person online.
“South Korea is regarded as one of the most wired nations in the world, with its high broadband penetration rate and tech savvy population,” said Will Hodgman, Comscore executive vice president. “In contrast to other countries around the world where global brands comprise the top Web properties, the South Korean Internet landscape is represented predominantly by local brands. That so many developed local players exist is a testament to South Korea’s technological leadership and its early investment in the online industry.”
NHN Corporation is South Korea’s Most Visited Web Property
Local South Korean companies represent the majority of top Internet properties in the country. NHN Corporation ranked as the top Internet destination in South Korea with 22.7 million visitors in April 2009, reaching 81 percent of the total online population. Daum ranked in second place with 20.5 million visitors (73 percent reach), followed by SK Group, which includes CyWorld, with 20.2 million visitors (72 percent reach).
Top Internet Properties in South Korea Based on Unique VisitorsApril 2009Total South Korea Internet Audience*, Age 15+Home & Work LocationsSource: Comscore World Metrix
Total Unique Visitors (000)
Total Internet : Total Audience
JMnet (JoongAng Media Network)
*Excludes visitation from public computers such as Internet cafes or access from mobile phones or PDAs.
NHN Corporation Leads South Korean Search Market
According to Comscore qSearch, 3.4 billion searches were conducted in South Korea in April, a 61-percent increase versus year ago. NHN Corporation, which includes Naver.com, led the search market with 2.1 billion searches conducted on its sites (62 percent search market share), followed by Daum with 680 million searches (20 percent) and Google Sites with 251 million searches (7 percent).
Top Search Properties in South Korea by Query Volume April 2009Total South Korea Internet Audience*, Age 15+ - Home & Work LocationsSource: Comscore qSearch
Share of Searches
*Excludes searches from public computers such as Internet cafes or access from mobile phones or PDAs.
Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence. In an independent survey of 800 of the most influential publishers, advertising agencies and advertisers conducted by William Blair & Company in January 2009, Comscore was rated the 'most preferred online audience measurement service' by 50% of respondents, a full 25 points ahead of its nearest competitor. Comscore's capabilities are based on a massive, global cross-section of approximately 2 million Internet users who have given Comscore permission to confidentially capture their browsing and transaction behavior, including online and offline purchasing. Comscore panelists also participate in survey research that gathers and integrates their attitudes and intentions. Using its proprietary technology, Comscore measures what matters across a broad spectrum of digital behavior and attitudes, helping clients design more powerful marketing strategies that deliver superior ROI. With its acquisition of M:Metrics, Comscore is also a leading source of data on mobile usage. Comscore services are used by more than 1,100 clients, including global leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo!, BBC, Carat, Cyworld, Deutsche Bank, France Telecom, Best Buy, The Newspaper Association of America, Financial Times, ESPN, Fox Sports, Nestle, Starcom, Universal McCann, the United States Postal Service, the University of Chicago, Verizon Services Group and ViaMichelin. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com.
Contact:Sarah RadwanickDirector, Regional Product MarketingComscore, Inc. +44 (0) 20 7099 firstname.lastname@example.org


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Maritime shipping is the lifeblood of international trade, and it’s all thanks to the modern container ship. These floating skyscrapers can carry as many as 15,000 containers 20-ft. long containers, enough to carry 745 million bananas—one for every European and North America. (I took that fact from Rose George’s upcoming book Ninety Percent of Everything, which looks fabulous.) Container ships—which can unload and load their cargo via those regularized container far quicker than ships in the past—carry everything you can buy, and their existence is what enables the cheap flow of goods from the developing world to the developed one. Without container ships, you really would have to buy American.
But shipping incurs an environmental cost. According to the International Maritime Organization, sea shipping accounts for around 3 to 4% of global CO2 emissions. That may not sound like a lot—and because container ships can carry so much, they’re relatively efficient on a ton per mile basis—but as shipping industry grows, so does its carbon footprint. And the local pollution produced by container ships as they steam in and out of port can be severe because they usually burn low-grade ship bunker fuel that is painfully high in polluting sulphur. In 2009 it was calculated that the largest 15 ships could be emitting as much carbon and greenhouse gases as 760 million cars.
So the maritime shipping industry could stand to go on a carbon diet. Some of the big players, like Denmark’s Maersk, have already made moves to improve environmental performance—its massive Triple-E container shops will be able to hold more cargo, requiring fewer trips, while its more efficient engines and waste heat recovery system could help cut the cost of long-distance transport. Just this past week, the first Triple-E—which will hold 18,000 20. ft containers, the most in the world—just set off on its maiden voyage from the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia. The company believes the Triple-E will be able to cut carbon emissions per container moved in half.
But efficiency can only get you so far—as maritime companies reduce fuel costs, they’ll be able to use some of those savings to increase shipping, cutting into the carbon reductions. (This is known as the “rebound effect,” though researchers disagree on how large it might be for maritime shipping.) Truly green shipping would require crafts that don’t depend on fossil fuels, like the sail-powered hybrid container ship being designed by the Dutch company Dykstra, or even solar-powered cargo ships. What would a greener era of martime shipping be like? TIME contributor Laurent Laughlin has the above video report.


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'Siri®, How Much Discoverable ESI is on My Smartphone?'
As anyone who has collided with someone staring at their smartphone and not where they are walking knows (known in Yoga circles as the "downward-facing pedestrian"), mobile device usage has exploded in just a few years, becoming an integral part of how we communicate, both personally and professionally.
This sudden ubiquity of smartphones and tablets has created another rich source of ESI and another set of e-discovery opportunities and challenges. The data even gets its own acronym: mESI (which stands for "mobile Electronically Stored Information" for the acronymically challenged).
Those of you who have thumbed, pecked and swiped your way through your smartphone looking for a phone number, address or your client's children's names, you know full well the enormous volume of sensitive information stored there. It's a wonder we let them out of our sight. And when we do, many of us feel mobile separation anxiety.
This should be no surprise to anyone. A smartphone alone contains your emails, voice mail messages, call history, contact list, text messages, photos, videos, calendar, Web browsing history, passwords, search history, data stored in applications, and access to social media accounts. And that doesn't count how many times you have listened to your Lady Gaga playlist.
"As of November 2011, a staggering 71 percent of Americans own either an iPhone® or an AndroidTM based smartphone. And millions of applications are downloaded to these iPhones and smartphones everyday. The use of these devices has created a treasure trove of hidden [ESI] that most users may not even know exists-and that could be discoverable," wrote Troutman Sanders attorneys Lindsey Mann, John Hutchins and Alison Grounds in a recent post on the LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Law Community.
The Troutman Sanders attorneys point to a Wired.com report that says IBM® has become so worried about the types of data being collected on smartphones that it has disabled the ubiquitous Apple® voice-recognition "Siri" application on its networks. (Siri, does that hurt your feelings?)
"For example," Mann, Hutchins and Grounds wrote, "Siri, Apple's 'personal assistant,' collects and uses Voice Input Data, which includes audio recordings, transcripts, and related diagnostic data, to process requests and understand commands. Siri also collects and uses User Data, which includes address book contacts, labels assigned to email accounts, and names of songs and playlists in the user's collection. And iPhones aren't the only ones collecting this data. Other smartphones contain dictation features that collect and use things like audio recordings and address books."
Watch Your Apps
Information is also collected by apps, the Troutman Sanders attorneys explain. GPS apps, for example, collect and use data like the name and address of the owner, his or her friends, and even his or her bank, they warn. They also point to the increased use of digital voicemail, which sends users transcripts of their voice mail.
"These devices are likely to contain both personal and business-related information," the Troutman Sanders team wrote. "In addition to disabling certain devices or applications, companies can also limit the exposure associated with this hidden ESI by having clear use policies that address issues such as how to preserve such data if required. If text messaging or instant messaging is necessary for a business function, companies may want to consider options that give them more control over usage, storage, and retention of such data. As iPhone and other smartphone usage continues to skyrocket, companies need to be proactive in adopting policies to manage the data associated with iPhone and smartphones. Without a policy in place, companies may be unwittingly storing huge caches of potentially discoverable information that can be extremely expensive to produce."
Get to Know the IT Department
It bears repeating that attorneys and their clients can be sanctioned for failure to properly supervise discovery of electronic information. In 2004, a New York federal court imposed a new responsibility on attorneys to supervise e-discovery by communicating directly with a client's IT department (Zubulake v. UBS, (229 F.R.D. 422 [S.D. N.Y. 2004]). In other words, attorneys now have to make an effort to understand what IT people are talking about.
Zubulake, also known as Zubulake V, requires attorneys to identify and preserve clients' ESI that is relevant to litigation by placing it on hold. Until recently, this requirement focused on ESI generated by computers but is now being applied to information generated by mobile devices as well. This means attorneys must acquaint themselves with clients' document and data retention policies and systems.
"At minimum," said Lori M. Tyler, marketing director for e-discovery at LexisNexis Technology Solutions, "find out what information is stored, how, and where, and how information will be retrieved in the event of a discovery request. Educate IT contacts on the kind of information requests they can expect to receive. Collecting mobile ESI through discovery may be a relatively new responsibility, but the bottom line is, attorneys do not want to plead ignorance of the technology or these issues when they get to court."
Left to Their Own Devices
"Discovery of electronic information on mobile devices requires practical policies on the preservation, extraction, and review of ESI," Tyler adds. "The reality is these issues raise more questions than answers, so attorneys will want to stay current on risks and seek guidance from courts and organizations that analyze and advise on e-discovery."
A key concern for attorneys is clients that allow their employees to use their own mobile devices for work. It seems like a good idea because it saves the company money. And, employees often own better equipment than their employer would provide.
A 2012 survey by Dell Inc. found that employees at 87 percent of the companies polled have employees who use their own laptops, smartphones and/or tablet computers at work. Survey respondents confessed they are unable to effectively ensure these employees' compliance with company policies to protect proprietary data and intellectual property.
Smartphones Will Come and Go, But Data Is Forever
"Another troubling issue is this: what happens to an employee's personal mobile device when he or she decides to discard it for a new one? Erasing sensitive data from a device doesn't mean it's really clean," Tyler said. "Not by a long shot."
Owner of the magazine PCWorld® purchased refurbished smartphones from a variety of sources who had told the magazine that the devices' memories had been wiped clean. However, later inspection found that contact information, voicemails, and text messages belonging to the previous owners were still on some of the devices.
The problem? Many people don't realize that smartphones have at least two sources of memory-both a SIM card and the device's internal memory-and fail to properly erase the internal memory after removing the SIM card. But PCWorld, in a July 2011 article, cautioned, "Even if you do everything right, and you wipe the phone exactly according to the directions, you might want to reconsider passing the handset along."
"Until there is a easy and reasonable way to wipe a mobile device clean with 100 percent certainty, consider taking a hammer to it," Tyler suggested.
Finally, attorneys must consider their own practices when it comes to using mobile devices. According to the American Bar Association's 2012 Legal Technology Survey Report, 89 percent of attorneys reported using a smartphone for work while away from the office. Thirty-three percent said they used a tablet computer for work while out of the office.
"Fundamentally," writes consultant and eDiscovery Journal editor Greg Buckles, "the expansion of mobile device operating systems to support practically infinite apps and associated ESI is the pivot point for mobile device discovery. Relatively few civil matters currently justify collection of text messages, call logs, GPS location logs and other unique ESI from a cell phone. However, now that mobile employees are drafting/editing Microsoft® Office documents, instant messaging through multiple channels and effectively doing business online through their smartphones or tablets, how can we ignore ESI from iOS (Apple), Android and other systems?"
Ignore ESI on iPhone and Android systems? If she hasn't been disabled, Siri would likely say: "You can't. Would you like me to show you why?"
For more information about LexisNexis products and solutions, connect with us through our corporate site.


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Timi Olubiyi, Ph.D
It is widely acknowledged that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to have severe impact of businesses, households and economies globally and it has triggered inflation in many countries. Even though inflation is a concept that affects all of us; but most importantly high inflation is hostile to any economy and business especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). With persistent inflation, businesses and households usually perform poorly and expectedly we pay more for the same goods and services. Admittedly, inflation erodes the value of money and also erodes the purchasing power of citizenries. The inflation- business growth nexus is the specific focus of this article; however, it was mainly instigated by the continuous rise in the level of inflation rate in Nigeria in recent times. The consequence and impact of inflation (price instability) on businesses in Nigerian cannot be over-emphasized.
Inflation is simply defined as a persistent rise in the general price level of the broad spectrum of goods and services in a country over a long period. Largely, when prices of energy, food, commodities, goods, and services go up, purchasing power usually goes down. The persistent rise in the inflation rate will erode the value of the naira and continue to cause general price instability and this is a concern. The entire economy is affected by this increasing rate of inflation and it affects economic growth negatively. The inflation rate is measured as the percentage change in the price index (consumer price index (CPI), wholesale price index (WPI), producer price index (PPI), etc).
The CPI is the more acceptable means of measure of inflation or price movements and it represents the actual cost of living. Therefore, because CPI is available on a more frequent basis, it is mostly in use for monetary policy purposes even by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Nigerian data on CPI in recent years was used to examine the level of the inflation rate. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that the headline inflation rate for 2018 was 12.09%, a 4.43% decline from 2017 from an inflation rate of 16.52%. The inflation rate for 2016 was 15.68% and the inflation rate for 2015 was 9.01%. The annual inflation rate in Nigeria rose for the eight-straight month to 12.50% in May 2020 from 12.26% in April 2020. So far, we have seen the inflation rate rise from month on month (MoM) in year 2020. The 12.50% rate in May 2020 was the highest inflation rate since April of 2018 which is a two-year high and is a cause for concern. This steady rise has been largely driven by the effects of government policies, COVID-19, external shocks and public debt.
Noticeably in a study on inflation in Nigeria using panel–data models by Sani Ibrahim Doguwa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State finds a threshold inflation level of 12 percent applicable to Nigeria. This threshold implies that below the level, inflation has a mild effect on economic activities; while above it, the magnitude of the negative effect of inflation on growth is very high. Consequently, from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data Nigeria has experienced high volatility in inflation rates in recent times and the continuous rise above the threshold level of 12% is a cause for apprehension. The sharp increase in the inflation rate, lull in economic activities and looming economic recession could be attributable in specific terms to the land border closure, increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, increasing public debt, volatility in the price of crude oil, and the multifaceted COVID-19 consequences. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the global economy and most especially in Nigeria. It has significantly affected industrial output, the fortune of businesses especially MSMEs. More so causing a decline in economic activities with an attendant shrink in GDP. Furthermore, COVID-19 has caused severe shortages in the supply of goods and services across borders, due to series of restrictions and this has necessitated depressing foreign earnings for Nigeria and also impacted negatively on economic growth and the fortune of MSMEs.
History and literature also replete some other factors adduced to the unsustainable business and economic growth in Nigeria apart from the high inflation rate and impact of COVID-19 to include: rising foreign and domestic debt, currency exchange rate volatility, propensity to consume more and save less, decrepit infrastructure and poor policy implications, among others. Regrettably, these issues can further compound and manifest in areas we already have a deficit as a nation, increase the staggering unemployment, trigger a rise in the cost of borrowing, bleak SME business continuity, overwhelming poverty level, worsened living standards, illiteracy, crime, and terrorism. Another big issue is the economy of Nigeria solely dependent on crude oil production, our country’s growth prospects are over-reliance on the revenue from oil. Due to external shocks and current realities, crude oil per barrel trades below $27, which is a big dip in our nation’s projected revenue fortunes.
Based on the aforementioned and from the inflationary perspective, to achieve adequate price stability in the country, government need to adopt significant structural policy reforms with tight monetary and fiscal policies. This will help to maintain stronger growth rates in terms of improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to stabilize tide of inflationary pressures on the economy and in business operations. It is advocated that political leaders should minimize avoidable public spending, address insufficient infrastructure, and build strong and effective institutions. The massive growth and developmental challenges of the country can improve by also promoting human and SME development. The SME sector can play a major role in the economic growth of the country through the distribution of wealth, poverty reduction, and job creation. The sector is labor-intensive and can provide a reasonable reduction in the unemployment rate in the country but government needs to provide adequate enabling environment for the sector to strive.
Considerably, institutions and individuals have the opportunity to beat inflation by accelerating the preservation of capital and strengthening purchasing power with income addition. This can be done by acquiring investments particularly assets such as real estate because they usually keep up with inflation. Remember N100,000 today will not acquire the same value of goods and services in 10 years mainly due to inflation. Therefore, investing is key to hedge against a sharp inflation impact because it erodes the value of savings, if funds are just left in the bank accounts.
Supportively, it is imperative to consider investing in other currencies, diversify investment portfolio internationally if you can, consider inflation-protected securities with potential for higher-growth like equities, Gold Shares ETF, or mutual funds. These can earn more interest returns per year than the inflation rate therefore the options are reasonable. It is also possible to start a business, cultivate passive income, and even buy items with a long shelf life as today.
Dr. Timi Olubiyi holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. He is a prolific investment coach, Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and a financial literacy specialist. He can be reached on the twitter handle @drtimiolubiyi and via email: email@example.com,for any questions, reactions, and comments.


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Alex Trebek-Endorsed Education Program Duped Parents, FTC Says
Question: Who is Alex Trebek?
An education company whose products were hawked in an infomercial by "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek has settled charges filed by the Federal Trade commission accusing the company of deceiving parents about how well it would boost their children's school performance and test scores.
The FTC said on Thursday that WordSmart boasted that 20 hours of use of its program would raise kids' GPAs by a full point, and their SAT scores by 200 points. GRE and GMAT scores supposedly would rise by 100 points. Kids, ads claimed, would learn 10 to 100 times faster after using the program. But the FTC says there was no truth to those claims, and that the company had no evidence to make them.
Over-Promised and Over-Promoted
Under the agreement with the government, the company and president David Kay promised to not dupe consumers about "the benefits, performance, or efficacy of their educational goods or services, including claims that the products will help students learn faster, improve reading speed, or increase grades, IQ scores, or test scores." It also comes with an $18.7 million judgment, but as long as the defendants pay $147,400, they'll be off the hook for the rest, the FTC said.
"Whether you want to increase your knowledge, improve your grades, get into a good college, earn a higher income or simply go further in life, stay tuned, because it's time to join the Wordsmart phenomenon, just as hundreds of thousands of people already have," Trebek boasted in the TV commercial. "Don't miss your chance to take the Wordsmart challenge and see for yourself how Wordsmart can help any student read, write, and speak better in just 30 days. Guaranteed."
And, the FTC also said there was nothing behind that promise of a full refund after a 30-day trial. WordSmart programs sold for $15 to $300, the FTC said, and the company took in more than $18 million since 2010.
In addition to hollow claims made by Trebek and the company, WordSmart was also spanked for trying to sell the product over the phone to people who were on the federal Do Not Call registry. Telemarketers even used the names of children when trying to push the products on parents who answered the phone, the FTC's complaint said.


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Popcorn brand Butterkist released a grim green sweet popcorn in a bid to tap into demand for spooky products.
The slimy-looking product features bright green popcorn made with natural colours and flavours.
Butterkist said novelty products were key to driving consumer purchases at Halloween, with spooky coloured classic treats popular among consumers.
Butterkist’s sales during the Halloween season represent 42% of the popcorn market.
The firm’s senior brand manager Anjna Mistry said: “Our first-to-the-market limited editions offer a fantastic opportunity for retailers to drive sales as we head into a time of year when consumers are looking to spend a little bit more on snacking and treating. These products deliver on taste and quality as well as satisfying customer demand for novelty and seasonal products.”
Butterkist also launched a limited edition gingerbread popcorn for the autumn season.


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CLEARWATER, FL – Beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Clearwater’s weekly Downtown Farmer’s Market will have a new home on the 500 block of Cleveland Street. The area will be closed to traffic, and endors will set up booths along the renovated streetscape instead of the parking lot at City Hall, the market’s home for the past four years.
Downtown Development Board member Bob Fernandez, who oversees the market, is delighted about the move to the city’s main street. “I’ve visited markets all over the state and the most successful ones are those that are held in the street,” he said. “That gives us better exposure.” Now in its fourteenth season, the market was originally held in Station Square Park on Saturdays. Later switched to Wednesdays, the weekly event was a Station Square Park staple between November and April until construction of the Station Square Park Condominiums and the Cleveland Street Streetscape forced organizers to find temporary digs elsewhere.
Fernandez expects the market to grow along with the improved visibility of the completed streetscape. “We expect more gourmet food product vendors,” he said.
Merchandise currently available for sale includes farm-fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, bakery products, pottery, plants, food concessions, art, handmade crafts and jewelry, eco-friendly products and Fair Trade items.
The market is free, open to the public and live music will entertain shoppers. Parking is available in the Garden Avenue Garage, and shoppers can park free of charge with a validation stamp supplied by Farmer’s Market vendors.
For more information, contact Fernandez at (727) 461-7674 or visit www.clearwaterfarmersmarket.com.


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The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Utrogestan 100mg capsules, a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) across the United Kingdom.
“This will allow pharmacists to dispense a maximum of two months’ supply per prescription to help ensure continued access for women who use this popular medicine to help manage symptoms of the menopause,” said DHSC.
Utrogestan is used to treat menopausal symptoms, is expected to be in intermittent supply until late 2023.
Besins, the manufacturer of the medicine has been struggling to meet the rising demand. DHSC said: “The manufacturer is taking steps to increase supply, but in the meantime the SSP will support access to available stock.”
Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: “Today’s decisive action will mean more women will be able to access this medicine, and I want to reassure women that the vast majority of HRT products are in good supply.
The overall supply of HRT products has improved considerably over the last year and I am encouraged by how industry is responding to the growth in demand and our continued calls for action to boost supply to meet it.
We continue working to help ensure continuity of supply – which is a key part of increasing support for menopausal and pre-menopausal women and improving their quality of life.”


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The big interview: Alasdair Steele, commercial manager in Scotland at property consultancy Knight Frank
The London-based company says it advises clients ranging from individual landlords and buyers to major developers, investors and corporate tenants, with over 20,000 staff operating from 488 offices across 57 territories.
His roots date back to 1896, with deals he has helped secure since, including a private sale of Stonehenge and the sale of Chartwell to Winston Churchill.
The business opened in Edinburgh in 1913 and today Mr Steele is also responsible for the day-to-day running of its office in Scotland’s capital. He worked in investment teams in London and Scotland, and left DTZ – now known as Cushman & Wakefield – to join Knight Frank, where he is a partner, in 2010.
Deal volumes in Scotland have held up remarkably well during the pandemic and we have seen prices hold steady at pre-Covid levels and even harden in key areas of the market – prime offices, industrial and retail warehouses retail are the obvious examples.
One of the main reasons investors are still looking to buy in Scotland is that professional markets have also held up surprisingly well. The pre-letting of 280,000 square feet in M&G’s The Haymarket project by Baillie Gifford amid the pandemic has been a remarkable indicator of the health of Edinburgh’s office market.
In the future, do you expect big changes in the distribution of the origin of investment capital? Looking specifically at overseas investment, this funded the majority of deals in some years, but fell to less than half in 2021…and what is the impact of Brexit?
Sources of capital will fluctuate over time, but what is essential is that the Scottish property investment market has now become truly global. It is no longer dominated by British investors and is attracting strong interest from all corners of the world. There is a lot of money looking to invest in Scotland from both the Middle East and the US at the moment, as well as continued interest from European and UK institutions.
Iconic Aberdeen office tower auctioned for just £25,000 gets new life
The drop in numbers in 2021 appears to be just a hiccup caused by a small number of large deals made by UK investors, which skewed the numbers – the long-term trend should continue to show strong interest from foreign capital. It’s hard to get a clear view of the impact of Brexit right now because so much is happening around the world. I think it will take some time to shake.
It’s complicated and there are a number of different aspects to watch, such as whether European buyers are cooling off relative to the UK and whether other international investors are replacing them.
Trends in shopping habits that were already happening accelerated during the pandemic, with significant growth in online shopping boosting the industrial sector. Retail warehousing has also done very well as people have become more accustomed to shopping in a retail park environment rather than going to a city center.
Yields continue to tighten and all research suggests tenant demand will exceed supply as rents continue to rise. Soaring construction costs at the moment may well further restrict the development pipeline in the short to medium term.
In terms of the office market, what does 2022 hold for Scotland’s key cities, and how has the growth of the booming tech sector increased demand for prime space?
The year is shaping up to be strong again – occupier demand remains robust and strong sales are expected in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The pandemic has accelerated the transition to a better working environment – companies want their workplace to be a stimulating and collaborative place in which their staff want to work, rather than the old-fashioned idea of rows of desks, so it’s probable that there is a leak towards buildings of quality and adapted to the use.
This will also be influenced by the environmental, social and corporate governance program, which has become extremely important very quickly for owners and occupiers.
The tech sector is really big, especially in Edinburgh and Dundee, while Glasgow recently held its first Tech Fest. It’s kind of a snowball effect where companies want to be close to like-minded organizations.
We believe demand for technology occupiers will continue to increase in each of these cities as Aberdeen begins to emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, with office occupancy in the first quarter of 2022 as high as it was. throughout the exercise. from last year.
What about bricks and mortar retail? There are concerns about its longevity, and major anchors like Jenners in Edinburgh are set to change use – you cited the potential for conversion of retail space into prime office buildings…
Our main streets have been struggling a lot lately, but there are more and more signs of recovery. Retailers have adapted their offerings to take into account new ways of shopping and it is exciting to see the revival of traditional shopping areas in city centres.
If you take Edinburgh, for example, we see Princes Street becoming much more of a leisure supply, while George Street has rebounded surprisingly quickly from a retail perspective, with terms agreed for eight of the street’s 11 units which were previously vacant.
What was the biggest real estate transaction of your career and why?
I would say it was the sale and leaseback of TSB bank in Falkirk. It was not serious but it was my first. I didn’t really know what I was doing and remember standing by the fax machine on the closing date hoping for at least one offer.
In the end, that’s exactly what I got – an offer, but it was a good one and, despite my naivety, the deal went down well. It was a strange mixture of relief and elation – probably still the way I feel today when a deal is done!
You are a passionate environmentalist and a key driver behind Knight Frank partnering with Surfers Against Sewage and announcing its bid to become a plastic-free company. Could you explain more about this?
I have always had a keen interest in the environment, especially the marine environment. I have been a member of the great charity Surfers Against Sewage since I was a student in Aberdeen. Recently, he has worked to encourage communities to commit to reducing their use of single-use plastics.
I was sitting at home on a Friday night and decided to email our managing partner suggesting they go plastic-free. It was a good idea at the time, but I wasn’t so sure when I didn’t get a response! It turned out he was away for the weekend and responded on Monday saying he was all behind the idea.
Since then, it’s been phenomenal – all of our staff have received reusable coffee cups and drink cans, and we’ve significantly reduced our plastic footprint across the business. I think it’s a sign of how big business has changed – it’s no longer just about making a profit, but also about your impact on society and the world at large.
Have you had a mentor or mentors in your career and do you mentor others? If so, what benefits have you found?
I think mentoring is extremely important, especially for young people. I’m lucky to have worked with a few people in my career who mentored me and who I knew I could totally trust and rely on – it makes such a difference.
I sponsor young people through The Prince’s Trust and have also signed up for our in-house mentorship program at Knight Frank. If I can help people with their career development in the same way others have helped me, then that would be great.


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Will There Be a Performance Chevy Blazer or an Off-Road Capable Chevy Blazer ZR2?
In the world of today where SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne or the Alfa Romeo Stelvio act more like sports cars than utility vehicles, we Americans have to keep up. We have been doing so with the likes of the insane Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk or some “spirited” versions of other large SUVs. Yet, it seems that manufacturers here lack the conviction of the Audi S division, or the Mercedes-AMG division to make high-performance versions of basically every car they sell, SUVs included. With the introduction of the new Chevrolet Blazer, I was curious about the possible prospects of a performance version, or a “soft, off-road” knockoff. Not that the Blazer name is entirely dissociated from that kind of thing. Looking back in past, we have the Blazer Xtreme Sport or the Blazer ZR2. One of these was a sporty version, while the other a rather interesting, off-road-focused machine. Can Chevrolet bring any of these back?
2019 Audi S6
The Audi A6 was redesigned in 2018 after six years on the market and now its time for other versions of the sedan to get their official launch. First on the list is the S6, which we began seeing on public roads as a camouflaged prototype in 2017. Come 2018 and the four-door moving closer to an official launch, and we already know a lot of details about it.
The sedan is still hidden under wraps, but as before, the S6 will sport the same styling cues as the A6, but it will feature a slightly more aggressive exterior and a more potent drivetrain. The upcoming S6 is more important than ever to Audi, as both BMW and Mercedes-Benz have solid offerings in this niche in the M550i xDrive and the AMG E53 Sedan, respectively. Will the new S6 have what it takes to give its competitors a run for its money? Let’s find out in the review below.
Updated 06/14/2018: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Audi S6 out for a new testing session in the heat of the southern Europe regions.
Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Audi S6.
First Official Image of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Shows a Big Hood Vent and Carbon Wing
The most menacing sixth-gen Mustang yet, the Shelby GT500, is coming for the 2020 model year, and Ford just launched the first official photo of the car via Motor Trend. The teaser shows the top of the beefed-up coupe and some of its aggressive design and aerodynamic features.
2019 Audi E-tron Quattro
Back when Audi debuted the Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, it promised a production version of its all-electric SUV would be ready in 2018. Sure enough; it looks like Audi is about on par with keeping that promise as the production version of the E-Tron Quattro was just spotted in the wild for the first time. Little is known about the E-Tron Quattro at the moment, but based on the concept and what we see here, it will be a sporty, sleek SUV that shouldn’t have a problem standing up to vehicles like the Tesla Model X. I wouldn’t expect to see all of the futuristic tech from the concept inside, but it should get a digital instrument cluster and a large tablet-like display. If Audi keeps the same drivetrain setup from the concept, the production model should boast a 95 kWh battery pack that’s good for 310 miles per charge along with somewhere around 429-496 horsepower and up to 590 pound-feet of torque.
Of course, by the time this thing hits the market as a 2019 model, it’s quite possible that other automakers could be taking part in the all-electric SUV niche too. Think about models like the Mercedes EQ and the BMW i5, which should both be on the market by 2020 or 2021. Be that as it may, the segment is rather bare right now, and it looks like Audi just might beat the flock in enough time to grab itself a nice little piece of the market. Before that happens, though, let’s take a good look at the spy shots we have now and talk a little more about what we can expect.
Uodate 5/16/2018: The Audi E-Tron Quattro SUV was caught playing on the Nurburgring. Check out the spy shots section below to see it for yourself.
What is Renault Doing with this Weird and Cobbled Mule Wearing a Kadjar Body?
The Renault Kadjar is a relatively new model in the crossover segment. It only made its debut in 2015 and has only been on the market for a few years. I bring this up because our excellent spy photographers managed to capture a peculiar-looking Renault SUV that looks awfully like the Kadjar, except that it isn’t. Could this be a new SUV that Renault is planning to launch in the near future?
The McLaren BP23 Will Probably be Called the McLaren GT When it Goes Into Production
It’s no secret that McLaren is developing a follow-up hypercar to the P1. Internally, the model is called by its prototype designation, “BP23.” Externally, it could be called the McLaren GT, if a recent trademark filing by McLaren is to be believed. If the filing is accurate, it would put to bed any speculation on what the new hypercar is going to be called. I suppose we’re going to have to wait a little longer for the McLaren Hakkinen to arrive.
Subaru Will Probably Kill Off Its Manual Transmission Because Eyesight Isn’t Compatible
In a bid to make its cars safer, Subaru will look to double down on its high-tech Eyesight suite of features. Unfortunately, that could mean the death of its manual transmission offering, which so far is not compatible with Eyesight.
Continue reading for the full story.
The New BMW Z4 (and Probably the Toyota Supra) Will Debut This Summer!
The new BMW Z4 is going to make its debut sometime in the summer of this year, quelling the uproar over the roadster’s surprising absence at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The word for months had the Z4 penned to make its debut in Geneva, but the show arrived with no signs of the roadster. Now we know why. The German automaker didn’t say when the car will have it’s world debut, opting only to say that it’s going to have a “dedicated event” before it heads to the Paris Motor Show in October.
Hot Off the Trail of the AMG GT 4-Door, Jaguar Expresses Interest in a Four-Door F-Type
In the wake of Mercedes-AMG’s successful debut of the GT 4 four-door coupe, Jaguar looks to be warming up to the idea of rolling out its own version of a four-door coupe. Jaguar’s head of design, Ian Callum, admitted that a four-door version of the F-Type sports car would be something that Jaguar would look into, provided that a good business case for such a model can be made.
2020 RAM Ramcharger
Many in the industry basically begged Dodge to build a three-row SUV based on the then-new 1994 Ram 1500 pickup. Those requests went ignored for three generations of pickups, even as the Ram Trucks brand spun off onto its own from Dodge. But it seems the stars have aligned yet again; Ram has an all-new 1500-series pickup for 2019, SUVs are enjoying a healthy uptick in popularity, fuel are holding steady at a reasonable price, and Fiat Chrysler is basically abandoning domestic sedan productions to make room for more crossovers and SUVs.
So, that begs the question – will Ram build a competitor to the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and Ford Expedition?
Sadly, we haven’t heard any official rumors or seen any appropriately shaped and camouflaged test mules running around Detroit, so it’s almost impossible to speculate with any certainty. However, the timing has never seemed more right. As such, we decided to compile what we imagined a new Ram SUV might look like. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Continue reading for more information.
Word Has it That there’s a V6-Powered, Alfa Romeo 6C in the Works!
Alfa Romeo isn’t messing around. On the heels of launching the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV, the Italian automaker is reportedly at work developing a new model that will slot above the 4C. The model is set to be called the 6C, a nod to the number of cylinders it has in its engine. Alfa is eyeing a 2020 launch for the 6C so expect the coupé to make its debut sometime before that.
If Mercedes Drops Diesel in the U.S., the new X-Class Becomes Under-powered and Obsolete
Mercedes-Benz had been on the fence about bringing the X-Class mid-size pickup to the U.S. ever since the project got started. Conflicting reports from the automaker danced the fine line of “we’re researching the American market” to “we’re not offering the X-Class in North America.” Sadly, the latter statement eventually won out. However, a slight tinge that not all hope was lost still lingers. Unfortunately again, sad news reigns. Mercedes has given up selling diesels in the U.S.
What does that mean for the X-Class? Well, it removes all but the base X200 model and its underpowered, naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder as the only engine currently in the X-Class that could be sold on U.S. shores.
Keep reading for the back story.
Continue reading for more information.
Leaked Specs Say the Ferrari 488 GTO Will Carry the Most Powerful V-8 Engine in Ferrari History
In case you’ve been inundated with news about Ferrari’s planned SUV and all-electric supercar, there is one other Ferrari model that you also need to pay attention to. I’m talking about the Ferrari 488 GTO, the same “Special Series” version of the 488 that’s rumored to be debuting at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March. There have been a lot of rumors being thrown out about the go-faster 488, including whispers that it’s going to pack in excess of 700 horsepower. Well, leaked photos from a recent dealership meeting have revealed a few more details about the upcoming monster, and one of these details point to the car getting “the most powerful V-8 engine in Ferrari history.”
Is Ram Considering a 2000-Series Pickup To Compete with the Nissan Titan XD?
An interesting article came across my desk this morning stating the possibility of Ram Trucks offering a “heavy half” pickup to compete with the Nissan Titan XD. Like the XD, the truck would slot between the 1500 half-ton and 2500 three-quarter ton with a focus on an improved ride while still hauling and towing more than a 1500-series truck. The Torque News article actually cites a Ram Trucks representative who revealed the plans and said the truck would be called the Ram 2000 and powered by an EcoDiesel engine.
The source of this interesting information is an owner of a 2017 Ram 1500 who was surveyed about his thoughts on his truck by a Ram representative at a marketing booth at the Cowboy Christmas convention in Las Vegas. He claims the rep told him of Ram’s interest in the new pickup class, but revealed no other details. He posted his experience on an enthusiast forum and seen by Torque News.
With the backstory over, let’s dive into what a Ram 2000 might look like and what it means for the pickup market.
Continue reading for more thoughts and opinions.


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In lieu of an ongoing court battle, Philipp Plein is proposing that Ferrari agree to a settlement in which the German fashion designer will give $200,000 in the luxury car company's name to a social justice organization.
The proposal, which has been roundly criticized as arguably being an example of sheer opportunism instead of a genuine effort at providing help amid global protests, was announced late last week in an IG post.
"After such a long time, I am exhausted and tired of fighting…especially in this particular moment," Plein said in the all-caps caption of the IG post in question. "It is completely inappropriate to fight over such unimportant issues."
Plein added that neither entity needs the money, which he claims began as a $2 million demand from Ferrari but has since been negotiated down to $200,000. He also claimed he would still "make a donation" even if Ferrari did not agree to these terms, though it was not immediately made clear if he meant that donation would also be in the amount of $200,000.
Days later, Plein provided an update. Ferrari reps, he said, had responded and "confirmed availability to an amicable solution of the dispute." However, they had declined the proposed donation-based settlement. Plein also shared a screenshot showing a donation of $20,000 (with a $2,000 tip) to a fund benefiting George Floyd's daughter.
As Fashion Law explains in detail here, Philipp Plein and Ferrari have spent the past year in a battle over the former's use of the brand's cars (and trademarks) as a "backdrop to promote his wares." This behavior, Ferrari has argued, could confuse customers who may be unaware that there is no actual link between the two brands.
Plein's latest effort at putting the legal dispute behind him, as many have argued, certainly isn't in good taste: