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A Broughty Ferry shop owner has been left “overwhelmed” by support from locals after an alleged theft left her “angry and upset”.
Ann Annandale posted CCTV footage on Facebook apparently showing a woman stealing a top from her fashion boutique KarenB this week.
The footage shows a middle-aged woman browsing several items of clothes in the empty Brook Street shop on Wednesday.
She then grabs a top from the rack, before looking around and quickly stuffing the item underneath her jacket.
The rest of the footage then shows her slowly walking out of the store.
Ms Annandale said the hundreds of messages expressing support for her on social media have left her taken aback.
She said: “I was very upset and angry by the incident and I have been completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve been shown.
“I decided to share the CCTV footage of our recent theft to make other shop owners aware and so they can be on their guard and hopefully prevent the same thing happening again.
“The video is conclusive and clearly shows the top being stolen.
“If anyone happens to know the perpetrator’s name please do not post the name online but please do send a private message to our page or call the police directly on 101.”
Hundreds of people have shared the video and voiced outrage at the alleged crime.
Amanda Soutar said: “This makes me so angry.
“Small businesses trying to make a living and this happens, hopefully you get her.”
Elaine Faulkner Mills said: “Makes me mad seeing this, these people have no idea the damage it can do to a small business. Hope she’s caught.”
However, others raised concern that posting the video publicly was the wrong thing to do.
Beth McDonough said: “I’m not justifying her behaviour, and I appreciate how upset you must be…but is this not really something for the police?
“I’d worry that a member of the public might say something to someone who looks like this woman, or that the perpetrator might have underlying issues.
“I know that may sound a bit woolly, but we have judicial processes for a reason…so I’m not comfortable with this, just in case…”
Nobody from Police Scotland was available for comment.


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Build-a-Bear has recently introduced two products from the Pokémon franchise, Pikachu and Eevee. Today they announced another popular Pokémon that will make his debut Build-A-Bear in just a few short days, that would be Charmander! It will be available both online and in stores – with the online offer getting a special bundle.
The online special bundle, which will run $61 plus tax and shipping, will feature a sound chip for Charmander, a Great Ball Hoodie, a Lucario Hoodie, and a Build-a-Bear Workshop exclusive Charmander trading card!
Charmander will also be available individually for $28, as well as the Great Ball Hoodie for $12.50. It will be coming stores December 8th in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Plushes bought in store will also come with the exclusive trading card. The Lucario Hoodie and sound chip are only available online sadly. You can view the Charmander set on Build-a-Bear by clicking here.

domain: news


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Managing Director Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc Mr Dimeji Owofemi has said the insecurity situation in the country has not affected trading.
Rather, it has helped to strengthen the marketing chain, especially in the Southwest.
Owofemi spoke at the launch of the company’s new product called “Moor Instant Chocolate Drink on along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He said despite the insecurity in the northern, trade within the region hadn’t stopped.
According to him, “Vehicles still travel from the north to Lagos daily to lift fuel and convey goods from the state to the region. So, I do not see the reason anyone will say it has placed barrier on trade.”
He added that the farmers in the northern were also interested in exchanging their produce into cash.
“As this continues, it has led to the expansion of the market chain to give more people the opportunity to operate within the system. And it hasn’t affected the introduction of new product into the market.
“Daily new brands are introduced into the market and they all find their way to the parts of the country that we all brand as place with high level of insecurity,” he further said.
He noted that the level of security would increase when youths realised the importance of their hands as a tool for the development of the country.”
He added: “hundreds of youths while they were growing up weren’t exposed to how they can make use of their hands to produce materials that will benefit the society.
“And to address this, our company has trained hundreds of pupils from 43 different schools on how to use their hands effectively to produce different products with cocoa.”
Speaking on the new product, Owofemi said the company discovered that many chocolate brands in the market do not have enough cocoa, adding: “This is what the product has come to offer in the market.”
He noted that the product has 20 per cent cocoa, which gives it an edge over other brands.


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Walmart opens three new Washington stores
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -- Walmart opened three stores Wednesday in Washington -- at Bellevue, Lynnwood and Spokane Valley.
KXLY reports the Spokane Valley store is the largest and accounts for about 350 of the 590 new full- and part-time jobs.
Walmart has a total of about 18,000 employees at 58 locations in Washington.
-- The Associated Press


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Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:31 AM
America and China were supposed to make each other richer. Most of us are still waiting.
Below is an excerpt from Adam Davidson's latest New York Times Magazine column, "Come On, China, Buy Our Stuff!" Read all of Davidson's Times Magazine columns here.
The first time I visited China, in 2005, an American businessman living there told me that the country was so huge and was changing so fast that everything you heard about it was true, and so was the opposite. That still seems to be the case. China is the fastest-growing consumer market in the world, and American companies have made billions there. At the same time, Chinese consumers aren't spending nearly as much as American companies had hoped. China has simultaneously become the greatest boon and the biggest disappointment...
What went wrong? In part, American businesses assumed that a wealthier China would look like, well, America, says Paul French, a longtime Shanghai-based analyst with Access Asia-Mintel. He notes that Chinese consumers have spent far less than expected, and the money they do spend is less likely to be spent on American goods...
Yet probably the greatest barrier to Chinese consumption is the policy of China's Central Bank. Every month, the United States buys around $35 billion in goods and services from China and sells around $11 billion back. That, of course, leaves a $24 billion trade deficit. Currencies work like any other salable good in that they adjust based on supply and demand. Every month, the United States is demanding a lot of renminbi and China is demanding few U.S. dollars. The natural result should be for the dollar to get weaker as the renminbi gets stronger.
But China's government prevents that adjustment by artificially increasing the demand for dollars, spending much of that $24 billion surplus on U.S. Treasury bonds. This sounds boring, but it effectively makes all Chinese exports somewhere around 25 percent cheaper and all U.S. imports to China, effectively, about 25 percent more expensive. Sure, we get to buy cheap stuff made in China, and by selling so many Treasury bonds, our interest rates — like those for credit cards or mortgages — are lower. But the long-term impact is disastrous. Many economic analysts, from Dean Baker on the left to David Boaz on the right, argue that all that easy money from China helped make the housing bubble much bigger and last longer, which created a far bigger crisis when the bubble finally burst.
The currency intervention also functions as a massive inequality-creation machine. U.S.-based behemoths, which own or use many of those exporting Chinese factories, benefit, as do their shareholders. And because more than 90 percent of U. S. stocks are owned by the wealthiest 20 percent, the spoils are disproportionately concentrated at the top. Meanwhile, lower wages, lost jobs and crippled manufacturing employment fall on the less wealthy. The economists that I spoke to estimated that China's currency policy has cost the U.S. between 200,000 and 3 million jobs...
Now is a particularly good time to put pressure on China's economic planners. Many market analysts fear that China's economy is slowing down considerably, a prospect that suggests the country will keep the renminbi weak for years to come. Given this, it may seem odd that China's currency policy isn't the beginning and end of every single political stump speech. After all, it's probably the one thing that, if changed, could instantly bring both jobs and more equality to this country. I can't think of any other economic agenda that would receive the support of unions and big business, free traders and protectionists, Wall Street Occupiers and Tea Partiers.
Read the full column here. [Copyright 2012 National Public Radio]
This article is filed in: 89.7 Host Notes
Wisconsin Democrats hope to unseat Republican Governor Scott Walker in a recall election. In the Los Angeles Times, Jonathan Zimmerman, a lifelong Democrat, says he is "appalled." The recall, he writes, "epitomizes the petty, loser-take-all vindictiveness of contemporary American politics."
Our Place In The Universe
Are we the end product of cosmic cataclysms? Ask the dinosaurs.
Fuentes Criticized Power Before It Was Fashionable
Mexican author Carlos Fuentes died Tuesday at age 83. He was a prolific novelist whose work was read by everyone from the Mexican elite to the working class, making him one of the country's most influential social critics. Host Michel Martin speaks with OC Weekly columnist Gustavo Arellano about Fuentes' influence, both in Mexico and abroad.
How Facebook Can Live Up To The Hype
Facebook needs more users — and it needs to figure out how to make more money off of each user.
Weekly Standard: Obama's JPMorgan Account
President Obama has disclosed that he has $500,000-1,000,000 in assets in a JPMorgan Chase account.
News updates from WGBH


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- News tagged "canon"
Friday, 27 Mar 2015
Canon seems to have just unveiled a 4K camera at a conference in China, and images have just surfaced on the web via Weibo.
Friday, 6 Feb 2015
Are the 50.6MP EOS 5DS and 5DSR overkill for you? Perhaps you'd want to take a look at the 24.2MP EOS 750D and 760D entry-level DSLRs that Canon has also announced today.
Thursday, 29 Jan 2015
Canon has launched a new Maxify range of office printers designed for small and home offices that carry out high-volume color printing. These printers also come with advanced security, network, and cloud connectivity features.
Thursday, 15 Jan 2015
Going overseas? Canon's got your camera covered with the new Asia Traveller Protection Programme. Check out how you can get your camera repaired overseas if it's still under warranty.
Tuesday, 6 Jan 2015
Canon has just announced the launch of two new IXUS cameras and three new PowerShot cameras, all with twenty megapixel sensors and Canon’s ZoomPlus technology.
Friday, 2 Jan 2015
Canon has launched two new laser printers to help businesses enhance their workflow and efficiency. The MF810Cdn is a 4-in-1 A4 color laser printer and the LBP6780x is a high-speed and network-ready A4 mono laser printer.
Friday, 26 Dec 2014
DigiCamera Watch has separately interviewed managers from both Canon and Nikon, and both representatives revealed that plans for higher megapixel cameras are in the works at both companies. More after the jump.
Thursday, 13 Nov 2014
Canon has announced five new imageCLASS monochrome laser multi-function printers for SOHO and SMEs.
Monday, 27 Oct 2014
Canon has just announced that the 7D Mk II will be available at all major Canon retailers from early November. Hit the link for more pricing details.
Friday, 22 Aug 2014
The new projectors come with DLP BrilliantColor technology and a long lamp life span of about 6,000 hours. Of the five models announced, two are short throw models.


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In a new report released today, Exploring the Digital Nation: America’s Emerging Online Experience, NTIA examines how Americans connect to the Internet and what Americans do once they get online. The report, co-authored with the Economics and Statistics Administration, confirms the dramatic growth in the number of Americans who are going online to perform important tasks like applying for jobs, looking up health information, and learning about current events.
The latest report updates and expands upon NTIA’s Exploring the Digital Nation: Computer and Internet Use at Home released in 2011. The new report, for the first time in eight years, explores how and why Americans go online. It is based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s July 2011 Current Population Survey (CPS) Computer and Internet Use Supplement, and includes information collected from 53,500 households.
“The data show that Americans depend on Internet use to engage in a wide range of everyday activities,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling. “It underscores the need for us to continue our efforts to ensure all Americans have access to broadband.”
While most Americans still used a desktop or laptop computer to go online in 2011, mobile device use grew significantly, with more than a third of Americans reporting that they used their mobile phones to access the Internet. The report also found that almost all users who used the Internet at home did so via a broadband connection.
The July 2011 CPS data collection gathered information on a broad range of online activities. This report focuses primarily on three areas – employment, health, and civic engagement – that are particularly important for society. The CPS data suggest that widespread Internet use benefits society, that mobile devices further increase these benefits, and that the Internet’s great utility leads users to go online regularly and rely on it in their daily lives.
The report also finds that:
- 34 percent of Internet users ages 25 and older conducted job searches online, and unemployed Internet users were more than twice as likely to use the Internet to look for employment as their employed counterparts.
- 35 percent used the Internet for research about health plans or providers.
- 31 percent of Internet users between the ages of 25 and 44 went online when looking for news, compared to only 8 percent of those over the age of 65.
Overall, about seven out of ten households nationally went online at home, with variability based on demographics and geography. And while the percentage of Americans who did not use the Internet declined compared with previous studies, the report finds that the key reasons some Americans chose not to go online included a lack of interest, expense, and insufficient computing equipment.
Exploring the Digital Nation: America’s Emerging Online Experience can be found online at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/report/2013/exploring-digital-nation-americas-emerging-online-experience.


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UPSFF (UPS Flight Forward), a drone delivery subsidiary of logistic behemoth UPS has announced to collaborate with Wingcopter, a German drone maker. This collaboration is to develop the next-generation package delivery drones for a slew of use cases in the US and across the world. It is a critical step taken by UPSFF to build a diverse fleet of drones with different capabilities to meet more potential customer requirements.
UPS selected Wingcopter for its unmanned aircraft technology as it is a transport drone pioneer with a track record in delivering a wide range of goods over long distances in various international settings. It is an award-winning manufacturer of electric VTOL aircrafts meant to improving the lives of people across the world. It focuses on delivering medical goods, food, and parcels.


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GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased two points in April 2018, to -9. Four of the five measures were lower, but the Major Purchase Index (MPI), which reflects consumers' willingness to buy big-ticket items such as furniture, increased one point to +3 – four points lower than in April 2017.
Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK, says: “We now have 28 consecutive months without a positive overall index score. The last positive was in January 2016. Hope springs eternal for better numbers but the continued uncertain economic forecast means that the sun is not yet shining brightly for UK consumers.
"Despite the headline news proclaiming that UK wages rose faster than inflation, that there’s no imminent interest rate rise on the horizon, and that we enjoy record high levels of employment, the index continues to bump along stubbornly in negative territory with a two-point slide to -9 this April.
"As consumers, we need to see clear evidence with our own eyes – in our bank balances and pay packets – that balmier economic climes have returned. Yet our view of the UK’s general economic situation remains low. More worryingly, there is a steep decline this month in the numbers concerning our personal financial situation – for both the past 12 months and the year ahead. This is the measure relating to security in our day-to-day finances and propensity to shop, spend and plan for their future. There’s little evidence of optimism in that respect. Consumer confidence is stuck in the doldrums.”
28 consecutive months have now passed without a positive overall index score.


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The Guardian: there is no more panic in the British economy after Brexit
According to the Guardian publication, the United Kingdom economy is apparently recovering from the panic that was caused by the results of the referendum regarding the country’s membership in the EU (Brexit).
Many economic indicators suggest that the economic activity in the industry, trade and construction is growing.
According to the poll, which was conducted in the industrial sector, export has risen to its highest level over the last two years. The construction sector gives the evidence that the customers are interested in the opportunity to purchase the housing again. The sales figures in supermarkets have increased by 0.3% over the last three months.
According to the publication, at first the results of Brexit led to the fall of the pound sterling and the situation of uncertainty in the market, but soon the consumers adapted to the new realities.
The experts have already changed their pessimistic forecasts about the British economy in 2016-2017.
The Brexit supporters consider this fact as a proof that the predictions about the collapse of the country’s economy in case of the UK exit from the EU were aimed to mislead people.
However, Chris Williamson, the chief economist at HIS Markit believes that the revival of the economic activity in the UK is connected to the severe measures taken by the Bank of England and Ministry of Finance after the referendum.
The Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney said in June that he was ready to take drastic measures in order to prevent the recession. BBC reported that in August the bank had reduced the interest rate and, in addition, the program of the quantitative easing had been expanded.


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It’s almost moving day on the stock market. The lineups of three of the 11 groups that make up the benchmark S&P 500 index are being shuffled as of Monday. Twenty companies in the index, including Facebook, Alphabet and Netflix, will find a new home.
The most notable change will occur with the telecommunications group, currently the smallest piece of the market. It gets reinvented as communication services and grows from three to 19 companies, adding some key names from the tech and the consumer discretionary sectors.
The S&P index itself will still be made up of the same 500 companies, but the moves could change how investors think about them and how they approach the market. Analysts will help shape those views as they publish research on the new sector.
The stock market could become a bit more volatile since many ETFs and funds offer products that track the S&P 500’s sectors. They’ll make trades to match the changes in the S&P 500.
The three companies in the telecom group right now are AT&T, Verizon, and their smaller peer CenturyLink. Next week they’ll be joined in the new sector by some broadcasting and media companies, video game publishers and social media companies. Alphabet and Facebook are the most notable additions — their combined value of about $1.25 trillion will account for about half of the sector’s total value.
The old telecom sector has been considered a safe bet because AT&T and Verizon pay big dividends and their stocks tend to do well when the broader market declines. The new sector looks a bit riskier.
Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist for CFRA, said the new sector is characterized by “Very volatile or cyclical companies like Netflix (and) Facebook that are going to be very high growth oriented when the market is doing well, and could get absolutely slammed when the market goes down.”
Stovall said utility companies and consumer goods makers will still act as defensive options for investors, but they’ll have to be more selective in finding companies that offer protection in an economic slowdown.
Along with Alphabet, Facebook and Netflix, the communication services sector will include broadcasters like CBS and Discovery, cable and internet companies like Comcast, movie studios such as Disney and video game makers like Activision Blizzard. Stovall said the technology, consumer discretionary and communications sectors will be more “pure plays” after the move.
Marley Jay writes for the Associated Press.


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All In Outdoor
CE Pro 100 company Audio Video Systems finds solid profitable niche with Coastal Source outdoor lighting.
Jason Knott · June 11, 2019
While many integrators opt to create outdoor home theaters from scratch, products like Stealth Acoustics’ self-contained LED-based Stealth Patio Theater offer a viable option.
Andrew Nichols · April 8, 2019
65-inch weatherproof Seura TV and rugged outdoor lift hide behind a fake wood-storage cabinet that doesn’t hinder the old farmhouse feel.
Julie Jacobson · February 28, 2019
Lutron acquires Limelight outdoor wireless lighting control from Twisthink to expand its commercial IoT solutions.
CE Pro Editors · February 20, 2019
NYC integrator ATTYWON designs outdoor audio system for massive Long Island property using 27 120-degree dispersion Episode speakers with no subwoofers. Did it work?
CE Pro Editors · February 7, 2019
Ring Smart Lighting system launches at CES 2019 one year after the acquisition of Mr. Beams, maker of quasi-connected outdoor lighting products that Ring is IoT-enabling. Why the proprietary RF and bridge?
Julie Jacobson · January 15, 2019
Launched at CES 2019, Ring’s new low-voltage transformer adds IoT to old landscape lighting for control via home-automation app.
Julie Jacobson ·
Florida-based integrator Luxury Illumination sells 60 percent of clients into service contracts around specialty exterior lighting.
Jason Knott · September 10, 2018
The wire-free, portable Solo motorized video-projection screen introduced by Screen Innovations last year is now available in a Pro model with ambient light rejection (ALR) material, tailor-made for short-throw projectors.
Julie Jacobson · August 28, 2018
The installers at Architechnology Designs tiptoe precariously around a pool, dodging plants and other dangerous obstacles to install a 75-inch SunBriteTV from SnapAV.
Julie Jacobson · August 23, 2018


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Chennai, Mar 18 (): Nokia, the Finnish mobile phone maker posted a 23% decline in revenue in India. Its revenue was €2,227 million ending 2012 while in 2011, it posted €2,923 million. It is for the second time that the mobile phone maker reported a decline in sales.
Globally for Nokia, India is the second largest market after China. In 2010, Nokia’s net sales in India were €2,952 million.
Nokia attributes the currency fluctuations impact on its revenue and increasing competition from brands. In India, China and Brazil where it has a strong presence had to deal with local currency against the US dollar.
Last year, Indian rupee against euro dipped by 2.3%. Locally made mobile handsets in India, China, Indonesia are popular in certain pockets and that has been cutting down the growth in sales. To offset the decline, Nokia was going to come out with innovative models this year, said the company statement.
Last week, telecom operator Videocon mobile services announced that it has selected Finnish telecom mobile maker,Nokia Siemens Network for its 4G services network in the country. The 4G network,apart from the internet will offer TV, HDTV and digital quality broadcast of video.
Nokia will get access to UP (East and West), Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh where Videocon has 4G spectrum after paying Rs 2,221.44 crore. Nokia Siemens too expressed its pleasure to partner with Videocon.
Towards the quarter ending 2012, the import of smartphones by India crossed 5 million units. The reason being the drop in 3G tariffs and more handsets being priced low has made the youth to get the data fast through 3G and 4G.
The jump in imports of mobiles in July-September 2012 was 38%. In 2012, the Indian mobile market was 218 million handsets recording a 16% jump. Nokia’s manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur near Chennai is facing a tax evasion charge from IT. It has also announced a wage revision for the plant workers.


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Bali to host Indonesian coffee festival
Nurfika Osman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Bali | Tue, August 28 2012, 6:46 PM
Tourism and Creative Economy Deputy Minister Sapta Nirwandar said that the festival would be one of the most important tourist events of 2012 as the ministry was currently developing culinary tourism.
“Cuisine, including coffee, is strongly related to tourism, and Indonesian coffee is among the best in the world. Thus, we want more people to know our coffee better by conducting this festival,” Sapta told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
“We also want to make kopi tubruk [ground coffee beans served with scalding hot water] and kopi luwak [civet coffee] more popular through the festival.”
Tuti Mochtar, a member of the festival committee, who is also a coffee producer, said there would be 40 booths in the festival serving all kinds of coffee varieties from across the country from Aceh to Papua.
In addition, she said the festival would be a place for coffee farmers, coffee producers, the Indonesian chamber of commerce and industry (Kadin) and some of the world’s best coffee distributors to meet.
“This is a good promotional tool for our coffee and we believe the event will be successful,” she said.
She said the people who came to the festival could participate in coffee and barista workshops.
“We will also have an agricultural tourism program by visiting a coffee plantation in Ubud,” she added. (swd)


text: When the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates its grand opening Thursday (May 17) the world will be privy to priceless artifacts, interactive experiences and films in the new $37 million facility. Among the offerings will be a world-class exhibit that features part of the vast personal collection of country artist Marty Stuart . Stuart previewed several of the artifacts during a recent press conference at the museum. Among the items displayed on tables were Hank Williams ’ fringed purple shirt; Williams’ handwritten lyrics for "I Saw the Light"; Jerry Lee Lewis’ black patent-leather boots; Patsy Cline ’s travel case; legendary designer Nudie Cohn’s own rhinestone-spangled suit; and Lamar Sorrento’s portrait of Bill Monroe . More.


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Time: 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Place: downtown Boston Hotel/TBD
Memsic Inc. saw its sales for microelectromechanical systems integrated circuit products swell with the growth of smartphones. Revenue grew to $68.15 million from 2010’s $38.65 million
“There wasn’t this kind of growth three to four years ago in the mobile phone industry, so we did the product development well before the market started to surge, and we were way ahead of our competition,” said Yang Zhao, chairman, president and CEO of Memsic. Memsic draws a large chunk of sales from the Asia/Pacific markets, and operates several manufacturing plants in Wuxi, China, while maintaining research and development and office functions in Andover.
Newton-based Ambient Corp. (Nasdaq: AMBT) has seen its fortunes improve dramatically over the last couple of years. After registering a net loss of $14.2 million in 2009, the smart grid technology provider posted nearly $5 million in net income in 2011 and saw revenue increase threefold from 2010, from $20.4 million to $62.3 million.
“We were an overnight success in just under 12 years,” joked President and CEO John J. Joyce. “2011 was a very important year for Ambient, because that turnaround was significant enough to get us to the Nasdaq exchange in August, which is an important milestone for us.”
Other newcomers included HeartWare International (Nasdaq: HTWR), which develops miniaturized implantable heart pumps. HeartWare warmed investor hearts with a leap in revenue to $82.76 million from 2010’s $55.16 million on the increased worldwide sales of its devices. Dusa Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: DUSA), a dermatology company that develops and markets its Levulan Photodynamic Therapy to treat actinic keratoses, saw a 20 percent rise in revenue from $36.42 million to $45.29 million.
MicroFinancial Inc. (Nasdaq: MFI), which provides leasing and financing services to small businesses, and the Hingham Institution for Savings (Nasdaq: HIFS) saw relatively modest increases in revenue, but it was enough to propel them onto this year’s list. MicroFinancial posted an increase from $50.30 million to $54.67 million, and Hingham saw a bump of about $1.6 million to $50.14 million.
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[NEWS LIVE TV] SEND BIZ TEAM TO NE STATES, AIBC URGES MINISTERadmin
GUWAHATI: The Asean India Business Council (AIBC) has requested Union minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman to send a business delegation to NE states in September.
The AIBC, a major regional group representing one of the biggest consumer markets in Asia, has presented a 14-point agenda of issues that needed to be resolved to enhance commerce and ease the flow of trade, to the economic ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The visit was proposed by Assam-born businessman Habib Mohammed Chowdhury, who is the chairman of AIBC (Laos), during an earlier meeting of the council.
The AIBC members unanimously accepted the proposal and informed their willingness to extend their co-operation to the visiting Indian minister. “Nirmala Sitharaman requested a comprehensive consultation for tariff and non-tariff barriers between Asean and India and said all issues should be addressed before the next round of discussions of AEM-India,” said Chowdhury.
She added that inputs from particular industries, which have access to the Asean market, should be given a larger capsule in the detailed study ‘to help us understand what others will encounter in the next 15 to 20 years.’
Asean and India together, with a population of 1.8 billion and a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion, has huge potential,” said Sitharaman.
Submitting the 14-point agenda of issues that needed to be resolved to enhance commerce and ease flow of trade, the AIBC said, “The set of recommendations are aimed at strengthening economic ties and smoothening businesses between Asean and India.”
The AIBC recommendations were intended to consolidate ‘mutually beneficial economic engagements between India and the Asean region’. Council members finalized their recommendations after consultative meetings held in New Delhi on July 13 and in Vientiane on August 6.


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Every newspaper this week has covered the details of a disagreement that is set to go down in history. After a court ordered Apple to create what its CEO, Tim Cook, describes as a technological “backdoor” which will allow access to the private and (ordinarily) encrypted data of smartphone users, the company refused to do so voluntarily. He detailed his reasons in an open letter to customers, which can be read here: http://www.apple.com/customer-letter/
Mr Cook explains the wider concerns he has, by stating that “The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone’s microphone or camera without your knowledge.”
Initially, some individuals from Silicon Valley backed the multinational, or at least expressed their concern over what the court order could mean, like Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai did on Twitter, but the majority of technical giants stayed silent and refused to issue an official company stance.
But now, companies including Facebook and Microsoft have quietly come forward in support of Apple.
Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) is a coalition of ten of the biggest tech companies, and it aims for reform in the laws and practices regulating government surveillance in the US. RGS is made up of Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Evernote, AOL, LinkedIn, Yahoo!, Twitter and Dropbox. Though they did not make ground-breaking individual statements, they did, under the umbrella of RGS, come forward and make a statement condemning the request made by the US government. On Wednesday 17th February, it declared:
“Reform Government Surveillance companies believe it is extremely important to deter terrorists and criminals and to help law enforcement by processing legal orders for information in order to keep us all safe. But technology companies should not be required to build in backdoors to the technologies that keep their users’ information secure. RGS companies remain committed to providing law enforcement with the help it needs while protecting the security of their customers and their customers’ information.”
While the world is waiting for top tech executives like Zuckerburg (Facebook) and Mayer (Yahoo!) to join the debate, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum did air his opinion via Facebook: “I have always admired Tim Cook for his stance on privacy and Apple’s efforts to protect user data and couldn’t agree more with everything said in their Customer Letter today. We must not allow this dangerous precedent to be set. Today our freedom and our liberty is at stake.”
This debate is particularly relevant to British citizens since arguments along similar lines have been raging here in the UK for a long time. The debate over the importance of national security versus the need for privacy is one that we are all too familiar with. In support of the collection of mass communications, Andrew Parker – the director general of the UK security service – recently said, “We all live our lives with our smartphones in our pockets. The terrorists do the same and they are using secure apps and internet communication to try to broadcast their message and to incite and direct terrorism.” Key figures of the government, including Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May regularly express their support of this, with the former agreeing that it is crucial that intelligence agencies are able to “get to the bottom” of online communications.
Any rational person can understand the need for a government to protect its citizens from the dangers of terrorism. Monitoring communications seems to many like a sensible and proactive precaution. But it is a complicated issue; one that asks citizens to revoke some of their privacy, supposedly, in return for their safety.
Essentially, this is a very divisive issue that touches on a lot of sensitivities. At one point, Cook mentions that in the “wrong hands”, the ‘key’ that unlocks Apple’s defence could cause a lot of destruction, as well as potential chaos for small businesses, individuals and families if things such as sensitive company information, bank accounts and passwords are compromised.
The US Justice Department suggested that Apple is more concerned ”for its business model and public brand marketing strategy” than it is about terrorism. To be fair, Apple has been extremely cooperative and has worked alongside the FBI from the very beginning of this investigation; moreover, Apple has repeatedly stressed its commitment to the fight against terrorism. What the company opposes is the method it is being asked to use.
More recently, in response to Apple’s hesitation, the McAfee founder (John McAfee) has offered to hack into the iPhone in question. At the time of writing this article the FBI had yet to respond.


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Soon Amazon will launch their game “New World”, what to expect?
Amazon Game Studios is finally ready to launch its massively multiplayer online game New World. The game is set to hit the markets next month, however, it wasn’t a smooth ride at all for the developers.
The most recent hurdle the game developers faced was yet another delay after remotely working on the game for more than a year.
The recent delay is caused by bugs, according to Game Director Scot Lane. The issues and bugs surfaced during the beta testing which started in July. “We have a little bit more work to do than we thought,” Lane added. “The surprise for me was our alpha community didn’t find nearly all the exploits the whole world found.”
“One bug, which allowed players to duplicate items, was discovered within days, and savvy fans worked together online to map out the best and most expedient ways of exploiting it. “Players are really clever at finding exploits. There are really no substitutes for that,” Lane added. “It was clever and smart, and it was something we hadn’t anticipated.”
The stakes are high this time for Amazon as it failed previously when it comes to launching big-budget video games. Crucible came out last year but failed to attract players and was eventually put down.
Now, Amazon is taking a huge gamble and going all-in for its new MMO New World.
New World has suffered four delays till now, however, it may turn out promising as the developers valued players’ feedback during the beta testing.
The game is coming out at a time when some big gaming companies are moving to the metaverse. While others are investing and focusing on mobile gaming. Keeping in view the trend, New World feels like a throwback to the heyday of the MMO genre.


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Taunting tweets, provocative pics, iPad-spam chats -- stupid slip-ups lead to high-profile hacker arrests.
Got an Android tablet? These 11 must-have apps are all optimized for Honeycomb tablets and stand ready to help you make the most of your big-screen experience.
A new Internet domain system will create a limitless number of new dot-com-like suffixes -- and will create chaos for users and businesses alike.
IBM celebrates its 100th birthday this week. In tech years, by our estimation, that makes the company approximately 4,976 years old.
Apple is now selling its iPhone 4 unlocked in the United States--but for most users, the move isn't as magical as it may sound.
Facebook's facial recognition flap is reflective of an ongoing disregard for user privacy by the site. Hey Zuck: Enough's enough.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 launches next week. Here's a guide to everything you need to know about the hotly anticipated new Android tablet.
Not sure how to get started with your new Android tablet? Fear not: We've got you covered.
An Israeli couple actually named their baby after Facebook's "Like" button. We think they could have done much better.


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Brian Armstrong explains how Coinbase Analytics extends 'goodwill' to regulators
July 24, 2020, 9:59AM EDT
2 min read
San Francisco Coinbase is best-known for being the poster child for cryptocurrency trading in the U.S., but a relatively new service has been increasingly making headlines: Coinbase Analytics.
The product licenses Coinbase's data and analytics software for AML to third-parties including government agencies, which has drawn the ire from certain factions of the crypto world. In an episode of What Bitcoin Did, host Peter McCormack asked CEO Brian Armstrong whether new service was at odds with the ethos of bitcoin.
"I'm a big supporter of privacy," Armstrong said. He said the product supports Coinbase's core business of cryptocurrency trading inasmuch as it builds "goodwill" with regulators by making them also their clients. That also decreases the potentiality that they would probe Coinbase about specific customer data.
"If we just kind of like tell them, 'hey, you know, F off' like we don't want to help you and we're just going to develop a kind of hostile relationship with them where they're just going to request even more customer data from us," Armstrong said.
Armstrong added that the service is commonplace and if these agencies weren't a Coinbase customer they could easily get access elsewhere.
"The main thing is that it's not lubricating anything in my mind because they have many options of where to get that information. There are three or four major blockchain analytics companies," he said. "They can even just if they really wanted to build it themselves, it's publicly available data. Right. So they're going to do it one way or another."
Iceland-headquartered bitcoin mining firm Genesis Digital Assets has raised $431 million in a strategic funding round led by investment firm Paradigm. Genesis Digital Assets said in an announcement on Tuesday that other investors in the round included NYDIG, Stoneridge, FTX, Ribbit, Electric Capital, Skybridge, and Kingsway Capital. Kingsway also invested $125 million in a previous […]


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Disney Cruise Line resumes US sailings from Florida in August with Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line announced Friday it will resume its Florida cruises Aug. 9.
"We're ready to welcome you aboard and set sail once again," Disney Signature Experiences President Thomas Mazloum said in a video posted on Instagram. Mazloum oversees Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney, among other divisions.
The first sailings with paying passengers in the USA since the coronavirus pandemic began will be on board the Disney Dream. The three- and four-night cruises will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, and visit Disney Castaway Cay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.
"We are resuming sailing in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures, developed in consideration of guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts," Disney Cruise Line wrote in an advisory to guests.
Taking a cruise from Florida? Appeals court blocks order lifting CDC COVID-19 rules on ships
The cruise line said it was preparing its Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder ships for sailings. Disney Magic offers short sailings in the U.K. this summer, exclusively for British residents.
New health and safety measures
- Vaccinations are "strongly encouraged" but will not be required on Disney Dream sailings from Florida. Guests who show proof of vaccination can skip required coronavirus testing.
- Everyone who does not show proof of vaccination must take a coronavirus test before leaving home and at port and have negative results from both tests to board the ship.
- Face masks will be required in "most indoor public areas" for all guests age 2 and up.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the ship and the cruise line's private island.
- Ship capacity will be reduced to allow for more social distancing.
The cruise line said there will be twice-daily stateroom cleanings, new air purification systems and extra attention paid to high-touch surfaces.
"While some things may look a bit different for now, you can rest assured that the dazzling entertainment, impeccable service and attention to detail that have long defined Disney vacations remain the same," Mazloum said.
This cruise sold fares starting at $73k:It sold out in less than 3 hours
What happens if there's COVID-19 on board?
Disney Cruise Line said experienced doctors and other medical crew will be available on board to screen for and respond to coronavirus symptoms.
Its website said, "If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected on board the cruise ship during a voyage, the voyage will be ended immediately and the ship will return to the U.S. port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed. ... By sailing with Disney Cruise Line you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree to follow all health and safety measures implemented by Disney Cruise Line and any relevant governments and authorities."
Can I cancel my cruise?
The cruise line said guests with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure may cancel their bookings within 14 days of sailing and get a full refund or apply their fares toward future sailings without Disney's usual cancellation fees. Guests without COVID-19 concerns will have a "relaxed cancellation fee schedule" this year.
Guests who book sailings by July 31 for travel this year can change their sail date up to 15 days before their scheduled departure.
Disney test cruise
Days before the return-to-sail announcement, Disney Dream completed a two-night test sailing, which had been postponed because of inconsistent coronavirus tests among crew.
It was the first cruise out of Port Canaveral since cruising shut down in March 2020 during the pandemic, according to Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.


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Town Board says thanks but no thanks to charger station
The offer of an electric automobile charging station was accepted by the Baileys Harbor Town Board Monday but turned down by the Sevastopol Town Board.
The Door County Visitor Bureau announced plans earlier this month to buy ten of the chargers for installation throughout the county this year, supplementing four already in place in Sturgeon Bay and Ephraim.
In addition, another charger would be installed in Manitowoc County as a marketing tool informing electric vehicle owners of the availability of the charging stations on the peninsula.
Visitor Bureau President/CEO Jack Moneypenny told another town board meeting earlier this month the four existing stations were intended last year as a marketing strategy to create awareness drivers of electric vehicles can find such facilities in Door County.
The reality was nearly 50 motorists used them last year, using slightly more than $47 worth of electricity in the process, he said, while addressing the Gardner Town Board Feb. 11.
Moneypenny said the chargers would be purchased by the Visitors Bureau and donated to local Door County communities, which would then bear the cost of installation.
In Gardner, the owner of the Stevenson Pier Mini-Mart offered to install the charger at his business.
Town officials there delayed accepting the offer, questioning the legality of a local government accepting and then giving away something of value.
The same issue were discussed at the Sevastopol meeting.
Supervisor Chuck Tice said other questions involved giving away the means to propel an electric vehicle while owners of conventional cars and trucks pay for their fuel.
Tice also said owners of electric vehicles, by virtue of not buying gasoline and paying the per-gallon road tax, are using the state's roads without paying for them.
But the Baileys Harbor Town Board accepted the bureau’s donation, although a location for the charging station is yet to be determined, Town Clerk-Administrator Doug Smith said Tuesday.
Warren Bluhm contributed to this report.


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The Mazda MX-5 Miata will keep on to exist in its purest variety, in accordance to an government at the corporation. That implies regardless of a enterprise-extensive drive to electrify, go carbon neutral, and transfer all of its offerings onto two platforms, the Miata will even now hold a unique, practically revered, place in the Hiroshima firm’s lineup.
“At the second, it looks like we will have this car or truck permanently, with this sizing and idea and combustion engine,” Mazda’s European chief of products progress and engineering, Joachim Kunz told Autocar. The short article clarifies that Mazda will continue to keep the Miata on its individual dedicated chassis, an outlier from the company’s two committed up coming-era platforms.
Currently, Mazda has what it calls a smaller architecture platform, a entrance-wheel-push 1 which underpins the 3, CX-30, and CX-50. A significant architecture platform supports the CX-60, just released in Europe, and two forthcoming SUVs for the U.S. marketplace (The CX-5 and CX-9 are designed on more mature platforms outside the house of this hierarchy). A rear-travel sedan was prepared for this system as effectively, but Kunz just lately reported the enterprise is prioritizing the SUVs in a print version of Autocar.
Nevertheless, Kunz also famous that the Miata’s electrification was unavoidable in the long run. “Of course, some day, we will have to electrify it, but we want to continue to keep this pure thought,” he explained. Kunz also explained that the Mazda’s subsidiaries in a variety of nations around the world have less say on the fate of the sporting activities auto than other vehicles since the Miata “is the toddler of headquarters.”
The Miata was released in 1989 and has stayed amazingly genuine to its primary mission of remaining a entertaining-to-drive automobile that just about anybody can access. In its 33 decades, there have been only four generations. Kunz instructed Autocar that “having 1 era for 10 yrs is not a issue for us”, suggesting the up coming technology may perhaps not debut until eventually the 2025 model calendar year.
Even as most providers jettison sedans, never intellect sporting activities cars and trucks, Mazda seems fully commited to retaining the Miata around in its quintessential sort. “It’s our brand name icon and it is constantly taken care of really specially,” Kunz reported. With any luck , that signifies it can be not an island in a lineup of SUVs.


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We have previously mentioned that criminality in New York has increased significantly over the past year and that the police were particularly concerned about this as it was for 20 and for years more efforts to fight crime were effective since New York each year saw a decrease exception in the previous year.
The reason was the frequent attacks on unsuspecting Apple and Apple users and the iPhone. But why do the thieves seem to prefer the iPhone and not for example the Samsung Galaxy S3?
This answer came after a survey today Our Strengths. So the reasons are two with the first being the metropolitan value of the iPhone that is clearly far superior to any Android mobile. The second is that for thieves it is very easy to distinguish an iPhone in the hands of an unsuspecting man the same as an iPad. On the contrary, it is difficult to distinguish an expensive Android device from a cheap because of their external appearance and the quality of materials that are almost identical.
Presumably New York City's criminals are snapping up iPods, iPhones, and iPads because they prefer Apple's battery life over its competitors, but because the resale market for Apple devices is robust and predictable. According to the Wall Street Journal, high tariffs in countries like Brazil can drive up the price of a new entry-level iPhone 4 to $ 1,000, so the used ones go for as much as $ 400 there. Here in the US, secondhand dealers buying bulk on Craigslist pay as much as $ 500 for a used iPhone 5. Demand is strong. Resale prices are high. There are millions of iPhones out there, but unlike many other products in our age of plenty, they have not yet become too abundant to steal.
With other brands, theft is an iffier proposition. That snatchable seven-inch non-Apple tablet could have an initial retail price anywhere between $ 99 and $ 499, and there may not be much of a secondhand market. This is a bigger crime than ever before: No one wants to be the chump who earns a stretch in the Big House for strong-arming some cheapskate out of what after closer inspection turns out to be a Nook Simple Touch.


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Okay, for those of you who want to play 24 Caret's unique backwards-shmup music game on a different platform, the developer has announced plans to bring it to Steam for PC on March 20. This version is more versatile, supporting Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii guitar controllers!
Posted on Jan 27th 2015 8:15AM
Posted on Jan 26th 2015 11:00AM
Posted on Jan 26th 2015 10:00AM


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Asian stocks erased gains as Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (16) led a decline in Hong Kong shares after a director of the world’s largest real estate company was arrested as part of a bribery investigation. Exporters rose as confidence among U.S. homebuilders improved.
Sun Hung Kai slipped 1.6 percent in Hong Kong following the arrest of Thomas Chan Kui-Yuen, an executive director at one of the company’s units, by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Samsung Electronics Co. (005930), Asia’s biggest consumer- electronics maker, gained 1.1 percent in Seoul. LG Display Co. (034220), a manufacturer of liquid crystal displays that gets about 16 percent of its sales from the U.S., rose 1.4 percent.
GCC chambers to honor inventors
Under the patronage of Abdul Latif Al-Zayani, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Federation of GCC Chambers will be organizing the closing ceremony of the 2nd Gulf campaign for th
UNB committed to improve overall services
The Union National Bank (UNB) is committed to continue with improving and developing overall customer service by motivating its staff to exceed customer expectations, create a strong customer service


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Google is apparently a stylist now.
Fox was joined by the likes of Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, Solange Knowles and others at the event.
Attendees included Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, Ava DuVernay, Kathryn Hahn, Sandra Oh and others.
The musician created an original score for the ballet, her first time working with a ballet company.
Harrier was joined at the premiere by Kid Cudi, Jessica Williams, Ty Dolla $ign and others.
The iconic silhouette gets an update.
Stay stylishly protected from the season's chill.
Sarah Jessica Parker Channels Embellished Trend in Armani Privé Jacket for ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Red Carpet Premiere
Parker joined costars Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy for the beloved Halloween movie's long-awaited sequel.
Whitney Peak Casts a Sartorial Spell in Embellished Chanel Dress at ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Red Carpet Premiere
Peak has been a Chanel brand ambassador since last year.
Experts say to take great care of your luxury handbags, and when in doubt — there's a myriad of repair…
The Los Angeles Lakers player opened his first retail location for his fashion brand over the weekend.
Olivia Rodrigo Honors Alanis Morissette in Saint Laurent Slipdress at Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
Rodrigo spoke about Morissette's influence on her music and career.
Blanchett previously wore the look earlier this month at the Venice Film Festival.


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Intel Corp. will acquire Internet security firm McAfee, Inc. for $7.68 billion, the computer chip giant said on August 19.
In a statement, Intel said it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase all of McAfee's common stock at $48, in cash.
Boards of directors for both companies have unanimously approved the deal, which still is subject to approval from regulatory authorities.
Paul Otellini, Intel's CEO, said the merger comes as online security becomes a growing concern among business and government agencies.
"The addition of McAfee products and technologies into the Intel computing portfolio brings us incredibly talented people with a track record of delivering security innovations, products and services that the industry and consumers trust to make connecting to the Internet safer and more secure," Otellini said.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010


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Shopping malls are about so much more than shopping.
Whatever your thoughts on consumerism might be, it seems the shopping mall has taken the place of main street or the village square.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
This is a social space where you can go with friends and family to shop, eat, get some steps or find entertainment.
So when will malls reopen?
Obviously, nothing happens without the go-ahead from health officials, and Ontario’s emergency orders were recently extended until June 9.
Still, there are hopeful signs of life.
At Yorkdale Shopping Centre, which normally has 18 million visitors a year, curbside service is going great guns for such shops as Holt Renfrew, Indigo and Nordstrom.
Yorkdale is still — after 56 years — the jewel in the crown of Canadian shopping centres; it’s a fair guess that their preparations for reopening will set the standard.
A spokesman for Oxford Properties says new health and safety protocols are being put in place.
“As always, Yorkdale is really committed to customer service. They have virtual concierges in place, knowing there will be increased texts and inquiries to customer service. Everybody is getting prepared for the day malls get the green light to open again, and at every Oxford property, people are working hard to make sure all the pieces are in place.”
Craig Patterson, editor-in-chief at Retail Insider, offers specifics of preparation from some of the stores inside Yorkdale. Even without a firm date, most are preparing for re-opening.
“Stores will be observing occupancy limits, spacing protocols, enhanced sanitation and continuous cleaning of bathrooms and high-touch places,” said Patterson.
He believes temperature-taking and questions about travel and symptoms may well be part of any future shopping spree.
“And retail hours are changing. Many retailers have changed their hours of service from 11 a.m. or noon until 5 p.m., with staff working before and after on cleaning. Store hours and staff hours are not the same,” Patterson said.
While stores are busy getting ready, not all staff are enthusiastic.
According to a staffing recruiter for retail, about 20% of retail employees don’t want to return. They’ve seen the statistics about COVID-19 and enclosed spaces and have health concerns.
On the consumer side, nobody can say when or if crowds of shoppers will return.
Patterson knows there’s a pent-up demand for retail therapy, but doesn’t know if it will last. According to insiders, he said, there’s something called “revenge spending” — the need to shop fuelled by weeks of being locked down at home.
Once that impulse passes, however, people haven’t rushed back.
It all remains to be seen.
Yorkdale, meanwhile, has circulated a highly detailed document about health and safety in the new normal; it mentions increased cleaning and sanitation, increased signage, face masks for clients and a health questionnaire about fever, symptoms of illness, contact with COVID-19 positive people or breaking quarantine.
Some general public seating has been removed, as have some amenities such as strollers and wheelchairs. Anything that might inspire people to gather in one spot will be altered.
Ontario prepares to reopen as COVID-19 restrictions loosen
BRAUN: Lots of losers as retailers strive to survive in 2020
Everything — including eating utensils and air quality and circulation — has been addressed, and there are instructions on what to do if a client or staffer tests positive for COVID-19.
The emphasis is on open and transparent communication.
Why can’t the government of Ontario produce something this detailed and responsible?


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WTIN: Chinese Manufacturer Invests in SEWBOTS™
Tianyuan Garments Company of Suzhou has signed an agreement with SoftWear Automation of Atlanta to develop a fully automated T-shirt production line at Tianyuan’s newly acquired plant in Little Rock, Arkansas, in July.
The technology was developed by and is patented by Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center. Using cameras to map the fabric and robots to steer it through the sewing needles, the system will handle soft fabrics and make T-shirts for Tianyaun’s customers.
The system is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of next year, the company adds.
“From fabric cutting and sewing to finished product, it takes roughly four minutes,” says Tang Xinhong, chairman of Tianyuan Garments. “We will install 21 production lines. When fully operational, the system will make one T-shirt every 22 seconds. We will produce 800,000 T-shirts a day.”
With complete automation, the personnel cost for each T-shirt is roughly US$0.33. “Around the world, even the cheapest labour market can’t compete with us. I am really excited about this,” says Tang.
Tianyuan announced last October that it would invest US$20m in the 100,000 sq ft defunct Little Rock plant it had acquired. In time, it will bring 400 new jobs to Arkansas, says the company.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by a Chinese textile delegation led by Xu Yingxin, vice president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council.
Xu says that establishing a clothing factory in Arkansas enables Tianyuan to satisfy instant order demands from its clients. He praises Tianyuan’s collaboration with American partners in automation as a smart move at a crucial junction in the technology revolution. “The idea of Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing is gradually becoming the reality,” says Xu. “It is revolutionising labour-intensive clothing manufacturing.”
The delegation, made up of industry leaders and entrepreneurs, also visited existing plants of Tianyuan and Shandong Ruyi Technology, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and Walmart’s global headquarters.
They were also received by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who has been actively promoting Arkansas to Chinese investors. He personally went to China and signed the deal for Tianyuan to set up shop in Little Rock last year, says the company.
Overall, Hutchinson’s efforts have produced results. Following Tianyuan, Shandong Ruyi announced in May a US$410m investment to set up a yarn factory utilising local cotton, in Forrest City, a town about an hour from Little Rock. The company is in the process of renovating a former Sanyo building and will bring about 800 jobs to the area, adds the company.
“China attracted a lot of technology and equipment from the US,” says Xu. “Many brands have entered China. Now, China is beginning to manufacture in the US.
“Chinese textile companies began investing in North Carolina and South Carolina. With Shandong Ruyi and Tianyuan’s investment here, Arkansas is becoming another centre for China’s textile industry.”
In welcoming the delegation, Hutchinson says: “We are very committed to making sure that the two garment companies already here – Ruyi and Tianyuan – are successful. AEDC director Michael Preston is working hard to support them. If they have an issue, or there is something they don’t understand, they get help.”
The company supplying the technology, SoftWear Automation, has recently received US$4.5m in financing from existing investor, CTW Venture Partners. The funding will accelerate the company’s development of fully automated sewn good worklines specifically for apparel production in the US. The company plans to add 20 employees in view of growing customer demand, says the company.
SoftWear Automation, which counts leading brands among its customers, is leading the disruption of the US$100bn sewn products industry with its next-generation sewing worklines for home goods, footwear and apparel. The company’s fully automated Sewbots allow manufacturers to Sewlocal, moving their supply chains closer to the customer while creating higher-quality products at a lower cost, the company continues.
“Our innovative Sewbots are moving needles to the fabric instead of fabric to the needle,” says Palaniswamy “Raj” Rajan, SoftWear Automation chairman and CEO. “Factories today chase cheap labour around the world and we have ended up with an unsustainable supply chain. SoftWear Automation’s Sewbots can move that manufacturing closer to the customer or the raw materials.”
The company’s patented computer vision systems view fabric more accurately than the human eye, tracking exact needle placement to within half a millimetre of accuracy. SoftWear Automation’s sales grew 1,000% from 2015 (started shipping product) to 2016. The company is on target to grow at the same rate through 2017, it says.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association reports 97% per cent of all apparel in the United States currently is imported. According to Rajan, one of SoftWear’s most important goals is to help bring textile manufacturing back to the US while creating higher-wage jobs for those supervising the Sewbots’ work. “US textile manufacturing will look different when it comes back, but it will be more productive and provide higher paying jobs than before,” he says.
Read the full article in its original format at WTIN.com


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“We will identify the root cause of the inefficiencies. Tata Motors will undergo a major transformation to get future ready”.
That was what Guenter Butschek, managing director of Tata Motors, said in a no-holds barred media interaction in March 2016, just a month after joining the company.
It was understandable that Butschek was trying hard to convince. After all, the announcement of his appointment was welcomed by a tepid 2 percent increase in Tata Motors' stock in a bull market.
There was reason for the skepticism among investors, even though Tata Motors was now finally filling a position that was vacant for two years.
The answer to that perhaps lies in the commonality (even repetition) in the tone to Butschek’s predecessors.
Tata Motor's domestic operations, especially passenger vehicles, had been nearly written off by market watchers in the face of continuous onslaught from rivals. Commercial vehicles division bore the brunt of the aggression from new and old players leading to erosion in market share.
Tata Motors’ previous heads – Carl Peter Foster and Karl Slym – had voiced concerns over issues like brand in the car segment and servicing and product roll out in the truck and bus division. They devised like-wise plans, but before these could be put into action they exited the company.
But as Butschek, who is a former Daimler and Airbus employee, marks his second work anniversary at Tata Motors this week, there is a lot the market needs to commend him for.
Under the German's reign, Tata Motors has achieved a much better success rate with its new passenger vehicle launches such as the Tiago and Nexon, and the even the unorthodox Hexa. The Nexon became Tata Motor's first product after Nano to have a waiting period that stretched to two months, while the Tiago crashed into the coveted list of India’s top ten best-selling cars.
“The urgency is clearly visible in the way Tata Motors is moving forward. This is seen areas of products, sales, service and network. Butschek has led from the front and rallied his forces most efficiently despite the fact that he was previously alien to the manufacturing culture in India,” said an analyst based in Bengaluru.
Tata Motors’ market share in the passenger vehicle (PV) segment has climbed to 6 percent after hitting an all-time low of 5.2 percent two years ago. The company even regained its historical number three position in the PV segment in December 2017, unseating Mahindra & Mahindra. Sales rose 15 percent to 1.45 lakh units by end of December compared to 1.26 lakh units in the same period last year.
In commercial vehicles, the story gets even sweeter. Tata Motors’ market share, by end of December, rose to 47 percent, better than 44.4 percent recorded at the end of the last financial year. In some heavy duty segments such as tippers and tractor trailers, the share went well past 50 percent. Sales grew 17 percent to 2.69 lakh units by end of December.
The growth has reflected in financials too. Tata Motors’ reported profits for the first time in five quarters, in the quarter ended December. A profit of Rs 184 crore was reported in the quarter as against a loss of Rs 1,052 crore posted in the same quarter last year.
Some of that success can be attributed to the massive changes the company made to its human resource (HR) division. Tata Motors has transformed from a casual fence sitter to target-hungry blood hound thanks to the performance-oriented HR drive led by Butschek.
The HR restructuring saw several key personnel move to new roles and in some cases to new companies within the group. The flat hierarchy system that Tata Motors adopted shrunk designations from a whopping 140 to just 5. From automatic promotion every 2-3 years, the appraisal process for its 12,000-13,000 employees now relies strictly on performance.
Its sales team is now rewarded handsomely with incentives coming every quarter, an industry first. Executives can earn 300 percent of the stated incentives for achieving 150 percent of the target sales. Besides there is an estimated savings of Rs 400 crore every year, thanks to the HR restructuring.
Working with dealers
Another area where Butschek had put his weight behind was sales and service experience at Tata Motors’ dealerships, which is the first point of contact for a prospective vehicle buyer. The overhaul of its dealerships, which included revamp of showrooms to make them trendy, use of more technology for the tech-savvy young buyer (salespersons were given iPads), were some of the initiatives carried out by the company.
The constant focus on sales, services and spares business, helped place Tata Motors alongside Maruti Suzuki in the coveted JD Power study behind the new leader Hyundai last year.
Quality assumed one of the top most places on Butschek’s ‘to-do’ list, an area which has let Tata Motors down several times in the past. Being a manufacturing expert and having worked with German giant Daimler AG for 25 years, Butschek knows that quality cannot be compromised with. At Daimler he led production, industrialization and procurement, while at Airbus he was the chief operating officer.
Tata’s new generation cars such as Tiago, Hexa, Tigor and Nexon mark a generational leap on quality parameters, say several analysts and auto enthusiasts, when compared to older cars like Nano, Indica or Safari. Butschek tightened the screws on parts suppliers and chose only the top 250-300 from a pool of 1,300 Tata Motors did business with during earlier years.
“Forget quarterly reviews, meetings now happen every day to review the performance of the company. Immediate action is taken if the target seems difficult to achieve. Co-ordination with suppliers is much better now than earlier,” said a top Tata Motors executive speaking to Moneycontrol News.
Focus on profitability
Butschek is learnt to now have singularly put his focus on achieving profitability at the standalone level, something which has dodged the company for past several quarters. This is why project TaMo, a tech-heavy, ring-fenced start-up, was put on the backburner.
Under Butschek the company forged alliances with Microsoft and with Jayem Auto for future mobility solutions. The company even emerged as the lowest bidder to win the order to supply 10,000 electric cars to government-owned company EESL through a tender process although it is yet to launch its first all-electric car for the personal buyer.
“We started two year ago with our transformation journey. That was meant to be the overall transformation of the company over the period of 2-3 years. We needed to change gears. Closing product gaps, ramping up products much faster, cost reduction and focus on sales and marketing were the highlights of our journey. We are now much less vulnerable than before because we have become that much more agile. The profits in the third quarter after five quarters of losses is the reflection of our efforts”, said Butschek in an interview with Moneycontrol.


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The fifth and final teaser has been released for Nissan's all new 2013 Altima sedan ahead of the car's official debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The new Altima, will be much swoopier than before with a highly stylized front fascia and a steep D-pillar arc.
There's also a bulging rump on the trunk lid and a rising body line that starts below the side mirrors heading over the rear to the taillamps.
Nissan also point out that the 2013 Altima will feature a "new Advanced Drive-Assist Display" in the instrument cluster that "is designed to keep the driver focused on the road." Other features available will be lane departure warning, rear moving object detection and blind spot warning.
Audi recently unveiled the R8 E-Tron Piloted Driving Technical Concept at the 2015 International CES Asia. It has 456 horsepower, 679 pound-feet of torque and 340 kW of power, which enables it to reach 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds. Read more
The infamous Aston Martin DBS recently received a bold makeover for Gumball 3000 courtesy of Nevana Designs. The pain applied was a glow-in-the-dark paint job to the limited-run DBS. It uses strontium aluminate, which stores sunlight to reflect at night. Read more


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Nissan has released five teaser videos offering a glimpse of the all-new 2013 Altima. The Altima sedan will be unveiled completely at the New York Auto Show next week, and until then Nissan is using these videos to enhance enthusiast’s anticipation for the most popular model in their lineup.
Video #1: Aerial View
Video #2: Headlight & Front Grille
Video #3: Taillight
Video #4: Side View
Video #5: Dashboard


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India's Business Standard reports troubled real estate platform Housing.com only has enough cash for a few more months, with CEO Jason Kothari back in the market looking for a new investment.
The report says Housing.com currently spends Rs 10.05 crore but only brings in Rs 1.2-1.5 crore a month.
According to the Business Standard Kothari has approached a few strategic investors looking to raise capital in a few months, but he nevertheless maintained the company is stable and not in "urgent need" as suggested by the online newspaper's sources.
Contrary to the claim, developments at Housing.com over the last eight months suggest the company is anything but stable.
In particular it recently announced plans to move offline with the hire of a large team of its own brokers expected within the next two years.
In May, a further 400 staff were asked to leave following a business restructure late the previous year in which the company decided to focus its business on home buying and selling only with 700 staff losing their jobs.
Housing.com then shut its rent category in January following an investment of $15 million from Softbank even though, according to the Business Standard report, rent brought in "a million listings and eight million hits".
The company currently gets less than four million unique hits, the online newspaper adds.
While the rental category cost the company less than Rs 2 crore, Kothari argued there was a need to bring focus to the business model with the sale of apartments on Housing.com.
The Business Standard suggests, perhaps due to pressure from an investor, Housing.com decided to evolve into a transaction-led model. But, there were no transactions to do, Kothari admits.
“The easiest transactions to do would have been rentals. But, that was shut down,’’ an executive told the newspaper .
But Kothari explained: “No one in the world is using renting as a transactional model online and we would need to make innovations never made before.”
At the time the decision to close the rental platform was made last year, Kothari asserted the strategy was about Housing's revenue position in the future.
“We are now focusing on just buying and selling residential property – that’s the biggest business in real estate, about 80 per cent of all deals,” he said.
Last November the company also resolved to monetize its products as part of its restructuring exercise with Kothari pointing to Housing.com's series of digital advertising products for developers and brokers expected to provide maximum customer exposure and return on investment for their home sales efforts.
In addition, the company is offering customized digital marketing services to large developers to drive home sales and build developer brand equity.
Kothari told the Business Standard Housing may make acquisitions to kickstart the sales model, but no suitable target has yet been identified.
Despite all of this, Housing.com still aims to make $10 million (Rs 67 crore) in this financial year and be profitable in 18 months.
Kothari says the company will not measure its revenue in gross merchandise value and that it is on its way to hit the mark. "Even our board thought it was ambitious, but we will get there."
The Business Standard hints Snapdeal may make an offer to acquire the company in an all-stock deal but Housing.com has regularly rebuffed Snapdeal takeover talks.


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Oct 22, 2021
oviding DOT physicals and additional resources helps commercial drivers maintain their certifications, publishes nedotphysicals.com Reading, Massachusetts - September 1, 2021 /MarketersMedia/ — According to the latest national reports, an estimated 3.5...
Oct 08, 2021
Gade Masonry and Landscaping, a Landscape Company in Cape Cod, proudly announces the company has openings for individuals looking to have an in-ground pool installed on their property.
Oct 07, 2021
Plymouth Dumpster by Precision Disposal proudly announces it is open for business. Nicholas Despres founded the business in 2020 amid the pandemic. He did so during a unique time in history with a unique purpose. Mr.


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KOZHIKODE/KOCHI: It could be the perfect piece of news the state can have as it gets ready to welcome the new year. The state’s tourism industry and trading community on Thursday decided to defy hartal calls by political parties and other organisations from next year.
The traders under Kerala Vyapara Vyavasai Ekopana Samithi (KVVES), which comprises 36 associations, met in Kozhikode and took a decision to open all shops on every hartal day. They also decided to observe 2019 as anti-hartal year.
“Buses will run, lorries will ply with goods while shops and establishments will function as on a normal day,” said KVVES president T Naseeruddin.In Kochi, tourism stakeholders under Kerala Tourism Task Force, which consists of 28 organisations allied to the sector, also vowed not to cooperate with hartals anymore. The Task Force also decided to move court over non-implementation of Supreme Court and High Court directives on hartal.
Frequent hartals hit where it hurts
In the current year alone, there were 97 hartals called by various political parties in Kerala. While the general public is invariably inconvenienced, traders incur losses to the tune of J2,000 crore on hartal days


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Elizabeth Isiohor clocks 42 today
Creative Director, Beth Model Africa, Elizabeth Elohor Isiohor adds a year to her number of years today, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
She turned 42.
The astute businesswoman, who doubles as CEO of Prive Luxury Wedding & Event Company at PRIVE luxury wedding & Event Company has made her mark in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Elohor began modelling at the age of 16. As a model, she emerged winner Miss Nigeria UK beauty pageant in 2001 and at 24, she launched Beth Models agency.
With a vision to take the industry in Africa to a different level, she secured a franchise deal with Elite Model Management Paris to organise Elite Model Look Nigeria in 2008.
Since then, Elohor, who says she wants her agency, as well as the models discovered, to be recognised globally and have an international presence has consistently churned out thousands of commercially successful models to date.


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How Many More DMCA Milestones Before Google Gets Serious About Piracy?
If insanity truly is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results, the current system for fighting copyright infringement is wearing a straight jacket and staring at rubber walls.
The DMCA takedown notice system has for some time been seen as an increasingly futile fight for creators and organizations trying to protect their intellectual property, as the British Phonographic Institute’s (BPI) latest figures clearly demonstrate.
The BPI has now filed in excess of 100 million takedown notices over the system’s 16 year history. The only positive it can take from this, aside from proving that it isn’t resting on its laurels. But the BPI is working harder, not smarter, and through no fault of its own it is simply spinning its wheels. The same is true of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which along with the BPI is right at the top of the charts for tenaciously trying to keep content flowing through only legitimate, licensed channels. The RIAA also passed 25 million takedowns this week,
The fault here lies not with the administrators but in the system itself, which is no longer fit for purpose. The pirates have got smarter and more effective at quickly circumventing DMCA takedowns, while the system has essentially remained the same.
While Google’s stock response is to claim simple middle man status and preach a need to remain neutral, it is of course far more influential and biased than this explanation allows for.
For starters, search provides the company’s biggest profit center by far, meaning that it has a vested interest in keeping folks coming back for more. Of course there is huge interest in finding content for free, most of it illegal, and Google is usually turning a blind eye to sites that host it. Aside from the occasional blacklisted site like The Pirate Bay or even lyrics directory Rap Genius, sites that flagrantly break U.S. copyright law are frequently listed alongside legitimate digital stores like Amazon and iTunes. Even the most notorious, like the aforementioned Pirate Bay, tend to stay in Google’s results until they step so far across the line that they’re banned around the world.
Moreover, Google even contradicts its supposed “results neutral” excuse by offering searchers suggestions before they complete their query, usually prioritizing illegal options like torrents and free download sites. A search for this year’s popular Disney hit “Frozen.” for example, yields a suggestion to “download Frozen movie for free,” before the free has even been entered into the search box. Here’s just one example of such a search in action:
Of course users are swayed to what amounts to an enticing offer from Google, which takes them to a page listing several. If that’s not enabling piracy, it’s certainly not the action of an unbiased middle man leading searchers to make their own decisions.
We could continue the constant churn of DMCA takedowns followed by piracy pop ups, aided and abetted by Google’s blindness to illegal activity polluting their search pipes, or we could finally take meaningful . Google’s algorithm changes and associated penalties frequently wipe out search traffic to legitimate businesses, damaging their online visibility and eating into their profits. Would it be so much to ask to extend this enforcement to sites that are unashamedly ripping off the country’s creators?
Unfortunately, for too many years now, the answer from Google has been yes, it would, and we have no intention of changing.


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As Walt Disney World gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Orlando International Airport is getting a magical makeover in time for the festivities.
When guests fly into the hub this fall, they’ll be greeted by a festive display, complete with a mural, lights, and photo booth.
The terminal train stations at the airport will be complete with a new mural featuring favorite Disney characters and passengers will “walk through a glistening glow of projected EARidescent light patterns,” according to a Disney Parks blog post.
An “immersive photo opportunity” at the airport will let Disney fans experience the theme park before they even get there, with a recreation of a Disney ride vehicle.
“Collaborating on a commemorative presence at Florida’s busiest airport means we get to be the first moment of celebration for guests flying into Orlando to be part of the spectacular fanfare,” Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said in Disney’s announcement.
The airport will also open a “Magic of Disney” store in its south terminal in 2022.
Meanwhile, some flourishes are also popping up at Walt Disney World itself. The Cinderella Castle recently received a makeover, with touches of gold bunting and golden embellishments around the castle. It also now sports a large 50th-anniversary crest, just above its main entrance.
The Disney World 50th anniversary celebrations will officially kick off in the theme parks on Oct. 1 and carry on for 18 months. Guests will be able to see tons of new anniversary programming, including two new nighttime spectaculars when they visit.
Attractions like the Tree of Life and the Hollywood Tower Hotel will sport a new nighttime glow and characters’ costumes will have 50th-anniversary touches of gold.
The theme park is also running a contest through Oct. 1 that allows you to nominate a “Magic Maker” doing good in your community to win a free trip to Disney for its 50th celebrations.
Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or at caileyrizzo.com.


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Brings HTML5 app platform and HbbTV to set-top boxes
Altech Multimedia and Opera Software are extending their partnership to bring the Opera TV Store application platform on board selected Altech set-top boxes, kicking off in Australia before rolling out internationally. Altech has already been deploying the Opera Devices SDK (Software Development Kit) and the Opera hybrid TV option in Europe, and will now also expand that offering to Australia.
A leading provider of multimedia services and products, Altech will offer audiences hundreds of entertaining HTML5 apps via the Opera TV Store. Optimized for connected TVs and set-top boxes, the store features video on demand, sports, music, games, social media and news. The Opera TV Store is currently shipping on millions of devices from manufacturers and pay-TV operators.
Altech will also launch the Opera hybrid TV option on its Australian set-top boxes, to support the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) standard, recently deployed in Australia for delivery of web-based TV content via digital broadcast and broadband. The Hybrid TV solution has been deeply integrated into the Opera Devices SDK, making it simple for customers to add the solution and immediately support all HbbTV services.
HbbTV improves the video user experience for consumers by enabling innovative, interactive services over broadcast and broadband networks. HbbTV has already been adopted by many broadcasters in Europe, with more trials to come, and is now rolling out to Australia, with interest also coming from Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Integrating Opera’s TV web service is key in differentiating our product for viewers, by adding new functionality and entertainment services,” says Russell Futter, Managing Director APAC, Altech. “It is important for Altech to work with an established browser vendor who provides support for premium content and the rapidly evolving standards in the interactive TV space.”
“Offering these additional Opera TV products expands our great relationship with Altech and brings on board another top-tier manufacturer for the Opera TV Store application platform,” says Aneesh Rajaram, Senior Vice-President for TV & Devices, Opera Software. “We’re excited to bring a huge range of entertaining app content to Altech viewers.”
The upgraded Opera services will be available on Altech UEC set-top boxes from all major consumer retail chains in Australia, later in 2014.
About Opera TV
The Opera TV portfolio powers rich web experiences on tens of millions of Smart TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players and chipsets for more than 60 customers, including Sony, TiVo, Samsung, Swisscom, Philips, TCL and Sharp.
Tap into the complete suite of tools for creating compelling connected-TV experiences. The Opera TV ecosystem spans the Opera TV Store app platform with hundreds of entertaining apps tailor-made for TV, Opera Devices SDK (software development kit) for creating and rendering HTML5-based user interfaces, and the Opera TV browser for reaching the full web. Opera TV offers solutions for OEMs, pay-TV operators, broadcasters and content publishers. With the Opera Mediaworks advertising platform, Opera TV can help monetize and drive traffic to content through an end-to-end advertising solution. Visit www.opera.com/tv/ to learn more.
About Altech Multimedia
Altech Multimedia is one of the world leading providers of products, professional services and competitive solutions to the digital multimedia Broadcast and Broadband Industries. Altech Multimedia solutions include a number of innovative world-first applications that are currently deployed in several digital television networks around the world and in addition to being device independent, Altech Multimedia offerings are available as either stand-alone or complementary solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems. Through its operating companies Altech Multimedia has a global footprint with technical development and support centres in South Africa, India, China and Australia and sales support offices in South Africa, Australia, India, Europe and the Middle East. Altech Multimedia boasts a Blue-Chip client base and an award winning product portfolio as well as an enviable reputation amongst its partners and peers as one of the most technologically capable businesses in the industry. The Altech Multimedia group consists of a number of operating companies which include Altech UEC SA, Altech Multimedia International, Altech UEC Australia and Altech SetOne. Altech Multimedia is a division of Altech (Allied Technologies Limited), a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company. www.altech-multimedia.com


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"Our sales are up. It would be remiss of me not to point out that this is in stark contrast to Tesco," he said. "It clearly demonstrates that we have been doing a different and better job for our customers."
In the 16 weeks to October 1, like-for-like sales were up by 1.9%, better than most City analysts were expecting.
Tesco has responded by slashing the cost of basic goods - a price war to some - though the Sainsbury's boss King is sceptical of the need to hit back directly.
"That's clearly a response to their poor performance," he said. "We are confident that what we are already doing is right. We have a winning approach."
Tomorrow Gok Wan launches his women's clothing line in 200 stores, something the ebullient King insists will be "huge".
Sainsbury's notes the pressure rising fuel prices have put on household budgets. The reluctance to drive except when absolutely necessary, however, is boosting business at local convenience stores.
King reckons the wider economy is "about the same" as it was a year ago.
"We have flat-lined along the bottom. There is no reason to suppose that will change anytime soon," he said.
Total sales at Sainsbury's, the third-biggest UK supermarket after Tesco and Asda, are up 4.4% excluding petrol. Some analysts have argued that Sainsbury's should make higher profits given its sales. Its shares have underperformed a lately, but today rallied 13.7p to 288p. Long-standing talk of a bid from Qatar seems to be coming out of the stock valuation.
- More about:
- P Funk


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Welcome to the December 2020 issue of our newsletter.
This year will be remembered for the destruction Coronavirus has caused to our lives, especially those who have lost loved ones.
Economically, the country has been devastated with sectors such as hospitality, travel, the Arts and high street retail hit hardest.
However, we have been amazed at the resilience of many of our clients and how they have energetically repurposed or pivoted their businesses into new areas, products and services.
We can also reflect on the good news of the first vaccines arriving, being distributed and administered to people. Let’s hope that sometime next year we have broken the back of this virus!
Please see the below information which will hopefully help you to plan for success in 2021.
05 May 2021
The online service for applications for the fourth Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant is now open for claims.
The Recovery Loan Scheme has been introduced to replace the government's coronavirus lending schemes.


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SmartFreight, a leading Australian global freight software provider, has embraced the recommendations in Austroads’ supply chain visibility report for Australian industry to adopt Global Data Standards (GDS) to improve freight visibility and supply chain efficiencies.
The SmartFreight solution has successfully completed GS1 Australia’s Transport Software Certification process. SmartFreight users are now able to generate freight labels according to the GS1 global supply chain standards outlined in the Australian Freight Labelling Guideline.
GS1 supply chain standards enable parties across the supply chain to operate more efficiently with improved freight visibility using a common standard for identifying, labelling and sharing data relating to the movement of freight units.
The GS1 Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) is a globally unique freight unit identifier used to uniquely identify each freight unit from origin to destination.
Kerry Holmes, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand at SmartFreight said, “SmartFreight fully support the Australian Freight Labelling Standards, based on GS1 open global standards. The GS1 system is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world, enabling increased visibility and reduced costs across the supply chain, which ultimately helps all Australians.”
GS1 Australia’s Senior Advisor – Trade, Transport & Heavy Industry, Michiel Ruighaver said, “We are very pleased that SmartFreight have embraced GS1 global supply chain standards and look forward to assisting them and their clients to improve efficiency and freight visibility within their supply chains.”
The SSCC can be used to uniquely identify any type of logistic unit including satchels, cartons, crates and pallets.


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Asos stops taking orders after warehouse fire in South Yorkshire“A criminal investigation has been launched to establish the cause of a fire last night (Friday, 20 June ) at the Asos warehouse in Grimethorpe, Barnsley,” said South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service in a statement. “ South Yorkshire Police are now treating the incident as deliberate, after initial investigations were carried out this morning (Saturday, 21 June.)”
So far the extend of the fire damage is unknown, as the warehouse remains closed to employees whilst the clean-up operation takes place. Huge piles of clothes, shoes and fashion accessories have been seen piled up outside warehouse, which held an estimated amount of 10 million clothing packages.
Asos stop taking orders on Saturday, with an unknown number of customer orders being delayed. A company spokesman told MailOnline that: “customers will either receive a full refund or get their orders as soon as possible.”.
On Sunday, customers visiting Asos's site were greeted with the following message: “Dear Customers, We have pressed pause on the Asos website, this is due to a fire in our Barnsley distribution centre in the early hours of Saturday morning. Thankfully no one was hurt and we expect to be back to normal for you in the next day or so. So please hold on to your orders, we will be back with you soon.”
Customers are also offered the option of giving the online fashion giant their email address to receive an instant notification when the site is back up and running, as Asos assures its visitors that they will “be able to shop soon.” Online on a number of social media outlets, customers voiced mixed reactions to the news.
Devoted Asos fans share their sympathy by creating and sharing hashtags such as #asosfire and #poorasos. However other customers complained about not receiving their orders on time and being able to shop. “Asos needs to hurry up, I need to order stuff,” tweeted one customer. “People moaning they won't receive a dress from Asos when there's been a fire #firstworldproblems #getagrip,” tweeted another.
The South Yorkshire warehouse is of vital importance to Asos, as every item the online e-tailer sells is screened before being shipped out for delivery. Last year the fashion e-tailer has sales of 770 million pounds. However, the fire at its warehouse comes at a difficult time for the company.
Early this month Asos released it's second profit warning since March, as the online retailer was forced to cut prices severely abroad to offset the strengthen of sterling. With the website being suspended, Al Mackin, founder of Formisimo, calculated that Asos is losing 2.283 pounds every sixty seconds.
This is not the first time that Asos has suffered damage to its warehouse and distribution facilities. In December 2005, the fashion giants warehouse was damaged when a nearby oil depot exploded. Asos also suspended its online site after the incident and refunded customers whose orders could not be delivered on time.