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February 24, 2014 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ebates Inc., the owner and operator of the world's most rewarding shopping programs, today announced the appointment of Yen Lee as Senior Vice President Corporate Development. Most recently Lee served as co-founder and CEO of Uptake, a travel research website. There he developed the company's go-to-market strategy and led corporate development initiatives that established Uptake as America's third largest travel research website and resulted in a strategic acquisition by Groupon. At Ebates, Lee will support the brand's ongoing growth through the development of strategic partnerships and other special projects.
"We welcome Yen Lee to the Ebates team and are pleased to have him join us," said Kevin H. Johnson, CEO of Ebates. "Yen's experience in creating successful and dynamic strategies that drive growth will be a real advantage to continuing the expansion of our business."
Lee brings more than 17 years of experience in growing businesses in the marketplace/ecommerce, small business, and search/discovery sectors at both startups and Fortune 1000 companies; including serving as General Manager for Travel at Yahoo! Search & Marketplace. Lee's previous roles also include Executive Vice President of Business Development and Product Marketing at WorldRes, and Director of Operations at CitySearch.
"I'm delighted to be onboard the Ebates team at such an exciting time for the company," said Yen Lee. "Ebates has positioned itself as the category leader in online and mobile shopping and continues to build a large and loyal member base. I look forward to propelling even more rapid growth for the company as it ascends to the next level."
Lee holds a Masters degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a HBA from the University of Western Ontario.
About Ebates Inc.
Ebates rewards consumers around the world by providing cash back on purchases while also providing access to thousands of coupons, discounts, and promotions at over 2,600 retailers. Ebates members receive great deals and cash back on practically every product or service sold online -- from diapers to diamonds, furniture to fashion, and appliances to airfare. Membership in Ebates is free and allows shoppers to earn a percentage of every purchase paid in the form of a "Big Fat Check", through PayPal, by gift card, or directly to a member's credit card. Shopping through Ebates is also hassle-free: no forms to fill out, no points to redeem, and no hidden fees. To date, Ebates members have earned more than $250 million just by starting their shopping at Ebates.com, Ebates.cn, Ebates.kr, Ebates.ca, and FatWallet.com.
For Ebates Inc.
Alessandra Nagy, 310-935-2592


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September 18, 2018
Trump slaps tariffs on US$200b of Chinese goods in sharp escalation of trade war.
United States President Donald Trump on Monday (Sept 17) defied warnings and escalated the trade confrontation with China, hitting the country with tariffs starting next week on another US$200 billion (S$275 billion) in imports and threatening to target even more if Beijing retaliates.
He said China had refused to change the unfair practices that hurt US businesses and workers.
“For months, we have urged China to change these unfair practices and give fair and reciprocal treatment to American companies,” Mr Trump said in a statement.
“These practices plainly constitute a grave threat to the long-term health and prosperity of the United States economy,” he said. “But, so far, China has been unwilling to change its practices”, including theft and force transfer of technology.
Once the new round of tariffs takes effect on Sept 24, punitive duties will be in place on roughly half of the products the US buys from China – its largest source of imported merchandise.
The latest round of imports will face 10 per cent tariffs through the end of the year, and then the rate will jump to 25 per cent.
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, President Xi Jinping’s top economic adviser, is set to convene a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday (Sept 18) morning to discuss the government’s response, according to a person briefed on the matter.
China’s Foreign Ministry has already vowed to strike back. “If the US launches any new tariff measures, China will have to take countermeasures to firmly ensure our legitimate rights and interests,” its spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters during a regular press briefing on Monday.
Markets traded nervously, with the yuan lower against the dollar, Chinese shares mixed and S&P futures weaker.
But Mr Trump warned that “if China takes retaliatory action against our farmers or other industries, we will immediately pursue phase three, which is tariffs on approximately US$267 billion of additional imports”. That would mean imposing new taxes on all of the goods the US imports from China.
“Once again, I urge China’s leaders to take swift action to end their country’s unfair trade practices,” Mr Trump said. “Hopefully, this trade situation will be resolved, in the end, by myself and President Xi of China, for whom I have great respect and affection.”
SMART WATCHES SPARED
The United States will spare Apple’s Watch and other consumer gadgets from the latest round of tariffs on Chinese goods, a senior administration official said in a last-minute reprieve for the technology industry on Monday (Sept 17).
The administration’s proposal for the tariffs on US$200 billion of products drew protest from technology companies earlier this year, but the final list of taxed devices described by the official avoids many big consumer brand names and products.
Smart watches and devices that use Bluetooth wireless communications, the technology behind Apple’s AirPods and other products that work with smartphones, will be excluded from the new tariff list.
In an earlier round of tariffs on US$50 billion of goods, the Trump administration removed proposals on flat-panel television sets for the final list in June.
The new list would spare fitness trackers from Fitbit, which had said in a comment letter to regulators that the tariffs would compromise its own investment in the US.
However, some products that help computer networks operate, such as routers, will remain on the new list, the official said. That could affect smaller technology firms such as Eero, a start-up company that makes home routers and had asked to be exempted from the tariffs.
Altogether, about 300 product categories were given reprieves, including some non-tech consumer devices such as bicycle helmets and baby car seats.
US INDUSTRY, RETAIL GROUPS SLAM ‘RECKLESS’ MOVE
The US Trade Representative’s office eliminated 297 product categories from the proposed tariff list, along with some sub-sets of other categories, but administration officials said the total value of the revised list would still be “approximately US$200 billion”.
A broad, US$23-billion category of Internet-connected devices will remain subject to tariffs, but some products, such as smart watches, Bluetooth devices, and other consumer-focused technology products were removed following a lengthy public vetting period, during which more than 6,000 comments were received.
Also spared from the tariffs were Chinese inputs for US-produced chemicals used in manufacturing, textiles and agriculture.
Consumer safety products made in China, such as bicycle helmets sold by Vista Outdoor and baby car seats and playpens from Graco Inc also were taken off the list.
But the adjustments did little to appease technology and retail groups, who argued that the tariffs would hit consumers hard.
“President Trump’s decision to impose an additional US$200 billion is reckless and will create lasting harm to communities across the country,” said Mr Dean Garfield, president of the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents major tech firms.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (Rila) pointed out that the new tariffs would still hit more than US$1 billion worth of gas grills from China, $843 million worth of luggage and travel bags, US$825 million worth of mattresses and US$1.9 billion worth of vacuum cleaners.
“Tariffs are a tax on American families, period,” said Ms Hun Quach, Rila’s vice-president for international trade. “Consumers – not China – will bear the brunt of these tariffs and American farmers and ranchers will see the harmful effects of retaliation worsen.”
Republican US lawmakers urged the Trump administration to pursue negotiations with China to resolve trade differences, while applauding Mr Trump’s tough stance on Chinese intellectual property and trade practices.
“The sooner President Xi and President Trump meet to craft a new trade path forward, the better,” said Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Makeovers That Matter (MTM) recently partnered with three Paul Mitchell Schools to help female veterans in the Los Angeles, CA area. The new partnership with the Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, and Costa Mesa Paul Mitchell Schools will provide free makeovers to 12 program participants per month.
In the September issue of Beauty Industry Report (BIR), you’ll find hundreds of new products launched at Cosmoprof North America to fill in niches in your product mix and drive new business into 2016.
The top beauty reps and distributor principals also share their takes on what was hot. Multicultural Columnist Lafayette Jones shares his take on a new association for global multicultural companies and visits the Bronner Bros. show in Atlanta.
LAKMÉ USA is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Ceglia as the new National Sales Manager.
Ceglia has over 25 years working in the professional beauty industry with companies such as Goldwell, Alterna and for the last 10 years, as the National Sales Director for Schwarzkopf Professional USA.
Sundial Brands, the natural skin care and hair care manufacturer, announced that it has signed an agreement to enter into a strategic partnership with Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global investment firm, to accelerate the company's growth.
Andrew Dale, CEO and Founder of UNITE Hair, has been named the Best CEO of the San Diego, CA region. A former Sassoon educator, successful salon owner and enthusiastic entrepreneur, Dale was recognized for offering his employees extra perks like in-house yoga classes and for contributing thousands to local charities. The name of his company defines his philosophy: bringing hairdressers together to celebrate their mutual passion for hair and beauty and to provide them with the tools they needed to thrive.
The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL)has awarded four BCL mentorships to aspiring hairstylists. The BCL Mentorship Program is open to students enrolled at an American Association of Cosmetology Schools member school and pairs a highly respected professional mentor with each student for a unique learning experience.
The 2015 BCL Mentorship Program winners and their respective schools are as follows:
Members of the Matrix family from around the globe are set to gather in Orlando, Florida to connect with and learn from award-winning artists at Matrix Destination 2016. The three-day event will include both hands-on and Look and Learn classes that will cover the latest trends in color, cut and style; avant garde inspiration; celebrity color; and men’s trends.
Your trade show exhibit is a great catch: It’s been there for you for years… traveling to different events, staying in the same hotels, and putting on a great face in front of potential business at the shows. The two of you are inseparable but what good relationship doesn’t go through up’s and down’s? Every now and then, you have to offer a little extra TLC to make it all feel new again.
Each year, the team at Neill-TSP examines emerging trends in the world of business to develop a relevant theme for Serious Business. In 2014 they asked for Trust. Last year they invited attendees to get Naked and explore transparency. Now they will be taking it to the next level and exploring Intimacy (INTO-ME-SEE) January 31 — February 1 at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.


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Apple has all the time been forward of the curve on the subject of iPhone coloration choices. Now Apple has determined to make its Professional iPhones separate from the usual iPhones.
However a Weibo person named Setsuna Digital claims that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus could have a frosted glass again panel, giving it a frosted look that is distinctive to the iPhone 14 Professional. So, in response to Apple’s plan, these rumors might transform true as they suggest a new search for the iPhone 15 fashions.
That is not all, the identical Weibo person additionally claimed in one other put up that Apple will deliver a blue coloration to its iPhone 15 lineup. Beforehand, the iPhone 15 collection was rumored to be accessible in coloration choices like Gentle Blue and Pink for traditional mannequin and darkish pink for the skilled mannequin.
There is a purpose why this recommendation from a Weibo person ought to be considered. The identical person predicted yellow coloration choices for the iPhone 14 earlier this yr, and it has certainly been launched.
Talking of the iPhone that hasn’t been unveiled but, there are a selection of Apple merchandise which can be about to be unveiled at WWDC, be sure you examine them out.
The iPhone 15 could have a new vary of coloration choices than every other iPhone
Apple usually presents 5 coloration choices for the usual mannequin and 4 for the Professional. Midnight (black) and Starlight (white) are the apparent two choices, together with pink for the Professional. So, for different choices we are able to contemplate gentle blue, pink and blue.
Aside from the colour half, rumors additionally say that the usual iPhone 15 fashions won’t get many updates, however the iPhone 15 Professional has an opportunity of getting some updates. The replace consists of USB-C as a charging commonplace, and we hope it makes use of the A16 Bionic chip. Moreover, the iPhone now comes with a characteristic known as Medical ID, which will certainly turn out to be useful throughout a disaster or any medical emergency. The ID ought to be obligatory for all iPhone customers
The iPhone 15 lineup is anticipated to launch round September, so you will nonetheless have to attend about 5 months to seek out out if the colour rumors are true. Till then, we’ll simply have to stay with these predictions.
For extra expertise information, product opinions, S&T options and updates, preserve studying Digit.in or go to our Google Information web page.


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Amsterdam-based XSML invests in growing African businesses providing basic consumer goods and services in less-invested markets like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For its fourth African Rivers Fund, it inked $98.7 million from the International Finance Corp., development finance institutions FMO, BII, Nordfund and Swedfund, as well as a fund managed by ResponsAbility.
The fund will cut checks of up to $3 million in 50 growth-stage businesses.
XSML has a target of $135 million for the fund.
XSML was started 15 years ago by former executives of Dutch development bank FMO. Through three funds, it has invested $145 million in more than 70 African businesses through a mix of debt, equity and mezzanine finance.
Portfolio companies include Kinshasa-based printing company Quick Print, Congolese hair and beauty brand Zuri Luxury, and Ugandan healthcare provider TMR Hospital. With its fourth fund, XSML is planning to open a new office in Zambia.


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MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Thousands of people came to Myrtle Beach for the unofficial start of summer. Business owners say a postponed bike week and the ease of COVID-19 restrictions may have brought more families in town.
Oceanfront hotels turned on “no vacancy” signs on Saturday as reservations quickly became booked down Ocean Boulevard. Restaurants had long waits and beaches were crowded with groups social distancing.
Locals and families vacationing were out enjoying the boardwalk on Monday. People from out of town told News13 this is their first weekend getting back out. After months of quarantine, visitors said they were beginning to go stir crazy, leading them to a vacation in Myrtle Beach.
“We were cooped up in Philadelphia,” vacationer Danny Goomba said. “We’ve been going out to restaurants and outside cafes, it’s lovely here, beautiful town.”
Hotel and restaurant owners welcomed customers as holiday crowds checked in and dined in.
Business owners say many people came to the area from states were restrictions related to coronavirus may still be in place such as North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York.
“We got the best hamburger and cheesesteak on this side and then pineapple and ice cream on this side,” said Larry Cardella, manager of two Ocean Boulevard food shops, including Burger Paradise.
It was a good weekend for business owners like Cardella, who said it was the best weekend he’s had all year.
It wasn’t the typical Memorial Day in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach’s streets on Memorial Day are usually flooded with bikers for the annual summer bike rally, making it tough for businesses as bikers don’t spend as much as the families do.
“I wish it was like this every Memorial Day that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Cardella also said.
A postponed bike fest and Myrtle Beach easing COVID-19 restrictions drew a large crowd. News13 spoke with many families, first-timers, and year-round vacationers over the weekend arriving in Myrtle Beach.
“We had a couple of drinks, good friends, sunshine, beautiful skies, great scenery,” Jim Sullivan, a North Myrtle Beach local, said.
Locals say they’re used to twice the size of restaurant crowds this weekend. Reopening guidelines enforce restaurants to serving 50% capacity.


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When the pandemic was announced back in March 2020, everyone has the same reaction: hold on to their money, so they have cash when something happens. By April, auto sales slumped by 40%. In May, some said that markets in the US and Europe dropped by almost 85%. It was catastrophic at best and total anarchy at worst. It was the worst in decades and automakers have to scramble to persuade customers that this is the right time to buy their own cars.
Thankfully, the markets seemed to listen. When they realized that public transportation is no longer the safe route, consumers started looking at having their own cars. While they’re not buying high-end models (and most are buying used cars because of the price), the demand found its way back. Automakers finally reopened their plants and made new models. Auto dealerships are back on their feet, albeit a little wobbly.
In the midst of all the uncertainties of the pandemic, auto dealerships and auto manufacturers turned to public relations. They hired PR agencies that crafted strategies to reach out to the market. Proving one’s competency amid the pandemic was a hard task, but reputable PR agencies were able to convince the market that this is the right time for them to invest in a car. Coupled with well-thought marketing schemes, automakers found themselves on the precipice of a long road to recovery.
The Buying Process
Before the pandemic, car buyers follow a single process or pattern. First, they search on the internet for the make and model of the car. Next, they watch videos and read blogs of certain car experts to find out more about the model they are eyeing. Then, they visit the showroom to see the car in person and even take it for a test drive. After some time, the auto sales agent will call the potential buyers and convince them with discounts, freebies, and low interest rates.
That was not possible during the height of the virus outbreak. Car buyers could not see or touch the cars in person. They can’t just troop to the auto dealership and test drive a car. All they have are the photos sent to them by their sales agent. This forced dealers to conduct 100% of their transactions online. With the use of technology, resourcefulness, and innovativeness, many managed to pull through.
Nowadays, people are all about the experience they get from transacting and buying online. Most dealerships have an online presence, but they have to invest in it more during the pandemic. It is not enough to have all the necessary information there about the car. Dealers have to be innovative in trying to persuade their customers to buy right here, right now.
It’s not enough to have a website. You need a mobile app and social media profiles. You need to make use of marketing videos to compel your market to check out your offers. Make sure that you have loads of photos and videos of your car lineup. You can even produce a virtual tour of the showroom to show your customers around. Lastly, actively marketing on social media demands that you continue engagement and monitoring activities. You have to know what people are saying about your company.
Spend on Marketing Schemes
It’s time to go beyond the usual marketing strategies. Auto dealerships have to maximize their marketing schemes and optimize the campaigns and ad spend. The right marketing message will drive additional traffic to their websites. And maybe, one day, once the country reaches herd immunity, people will once more be confident to visit auto showrooms. But for now, auto dealerships need to depend on their marketing messages to show people that despite the challenges of the pandemic, they are ready to provide the products and services consumers need.
Consumer purchasing behavior will change because of the pandemic. Whereas before consumers move seamlessly between online and offline worlds, they must now content themselves in the virtual world. During the height of the pandemic, online sales of new and used cars grew. People started becoming comfortable with the thought of buying a car online. They video-call with the sales agent, go on a virtual tour of the showroom, and some even have a simulated experience of driving a particular car model.
The lengths that automakers have to go to survive the pandemic were unprecedented. They have to be creative in their use of marketing and public relations. They have to leverage technology and other resources, both traditional and modern. But aside from the auto dealerships themselves, consumers also needed to readjust their expectations, accept shortcomings, and adjust their needs to what is available.


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Dasgupta, 58, died Sunday.
Dasgupta's work has been exhibited internationally, both in solo and group shows, and published in Indian, French, English, Italian and American magazines.
Apart from photography, he also wrote books and was the recipient of many awards, including the Yves Saint Laurent grant for photography in 1991.
Here is what the fashion world had to say on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter:
Fashion photographer Dabboo Ratnani: "Just received the sad news that Prabudha DasGupta passed away. He was a Brilliant Photographer. I had assisted him on a shoot many years ago."
Designer Masaba Gupta: "Thankyou for the images, thank you for the inspiration but we must meet in another life. RIP Prabuddha Dasgupta."
Bollywood actress and former model Neha Dhupia: "Shocked and saddened to hear about Prabhuddha Das Gupta. A photographer, a genius ... One of the best we had! RIP. I remember him telling me.. "All you need is a smile to face the camera, make up is just a coincidence!"
Designer Abdul Halder: "Your art will remain eternal forever! Rest in peace Dada!"
Fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar: "Shocked to hear that Prabudha DasGupta passed away at a shoot. Brilliant fashion photographer who shot iconic images for nearly three decades."
Designer Samant Chauhan: "Prabudha DasGupta R.I.P.. one of India's legendary photographer is no more...but his work will remain forever..."
Make-up expert Clint Fernandes: "Really sad and still in shock! its a great great loss of a wonderful Human being and one of the best photographers in our country."
Fashion photographer Avinash Gowarikar: "I got to know about this loss through my friend. It's really sad."


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All the latest coverage from Apple's annual developer conference.
Find out when your device will be updated to the latest version of Android.
Apple is counting on the $249 iPad Mini to draw you into its stores. But it's hoping you end up buying a $499 iPad Air instead.
When asked whether supply will start to reach demand, Apple CEO Tim Cook says, "We're not even on the same planet."
Only around half of the 250 million iPhone 4S units and older models may be upgraded in the near term, leaving plenty of room for fiscal 2015 and 2016, says Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.
The electronics giant is projecting stronger-than-expected sales this holiday even after delivering better-than-anticipated revenue in the September quarter. The only negative was another drop in iPad sales.
For its pioneering virtual-reality headset to take off, Oculus needs software makers to begin crafting compelling software that will attract consumers.
Internet service providers are getting a new option called G.fast that can extend the lifespan of existing copper phone lines yet again.
The products will serve as the showcase devices for the latest version of Android, Lollipop, until now nicknamed Android "L."
Pictures from XBbox's Press Conference at E3, shot by Josh Miller for our live blog coverage of the event.
Last year was the PlayStation 4. What will Sony's 2014 E3 press conference bring? A big dose of Vita and PS4 games, and more: tune in for CNET's live coverage.


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November 6, 2013
The aquaculture industry has grown significantly and now accounts for almost half of Australia's fish production, Senator Richard Colbeck announced today.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Australian fisheries statistics 2012 annual report, which was released today, shows aquaculture has increased its share of Australian fishery product earnings from 30 per cent to 46 per cent over the last decade.
"Most of this increase can be attributed to the fast growing farmed fish sector. Farmed salmonids became the largest species group produced and increased earnings by 20 per cent in 2011-12. It remains Australia's highest earning fisheries product at a value of $513 million," Senator Colbeck said.
Senator Colbeck welcomed the growth in the aquaculture industry and said it vindicated the Coalition's plan to work with industry to develop a national aquaculture strategy.
"We want to further develop the aquaculture industry in Australia because there are huge opportunities to be had," he said.
"The fisheries sector is vital to regional economies and the tens of thousands of people employed in the industry. Our national aquaculture strategy will create employment in regional areas and support the sector so it continues to grow into the future."
Senator Colbeck said the report showed the total gross value of production of Australian fisheries increased 3 per cent to reach $2.3 billion.
"The health benefits of seafood are well known. With organisations like the National Health and Medical Research Council recommending increases in the dietary intake of seafood there is an opportunity to grow the appetite for seafood domestically and internationally," he said.
"Domestic consumption of seafood has been on the rise for over three decades. In Australia, we eat more seafood per year than the world average, at 25 kilograms per person. This is why the Coalition's plan to develop a national aquaculture strategy is so important."
Other key species of farmed fish include farmed tuna from South Australia, which increased in earnings by 31 per cent to reach $150 million; and farmed barramundi, which rose by $5.3 million to reach $41 million.
Senator Colbeck acknowledged the support and contribution of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) in the development of the 2012 Australian fisheries statistics report.
Full details can be found at daff.gov.au/abares/publications.


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Samsung will demonstrate its first consumer model at an upcoming trade show.
Samsung said it will display a cable modem prototype at the upcoming Western Cable Show in Anaheim, California. Code-named InfoLink, it is intended to be the first in a "family" of cable modems that Samsung will pitch to a range of audiences, from home consumers to corporations.
The details of succeeding modems will be announced at the National Cable Television Association show in May, said Samsung spokesperson Frankie Borison.
InfoLink is targeted toward the home user, and will initially be sold to cable companies. Pricing specifics are not yet available, but the modems will eventually be available through Samsung's traditional retail distributors, according to Borison.
3Com announced a similar distribution strategy for its cable modems last month, while Motorola is hoping to use the retail channel right from the start. Currently, consumers who want a cable modem must lease them from their cable company, in addition to paying for Internet access.
InfoLink complies with the Multimedia Cable Network System Partners (MCNS) specification, an industry guideline drawn up to ensure that any given cable modem product will interoperate with competing products. "The intention is to almost above all else be interoperable with other cable modems," said Borison. 3Com, Motorola, Hayes Microcomputer Product, and Cisco Systems have also developed MCNS-compliant products.
Samsung's cable modem transmits at speeds up to 40 megabits per second (mbps) "downstream" (from the cable company to the end user) and up to 10.24 mbps "upstream." User trials will take place in the first and second quarters of 1998, with the product to begin shipping in the second quarter of 1998.


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April 2, 2022
According to the World Economic Forum, a metaverse is shaped […]
According to the World Economic Forum, a metaverse is shaped by technology including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and brain-computer …
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It’s great to pat yourself on the back now and then, maybe even twice. In the spirit of this, we’re incredibly proud to have been awarded the Global Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovation, which recognises business excellence, and the Logistics Award for Growth which praises brilliance in the logistics and supply chain sectors.
Both awards mark a period of rapid growth for us at Huboo, evolving from a touchline chat between Martin and Paul, our co-founders, to a business with more than 250 employees, over 800 clients, and a £1mil MRR.
Speaking with Business Leader on our successes Martin said, “it’s great to see that our innovation, growth and expansion has been recognised both within the fulfilment industry and beyond. It is a real testament to the hard work and commitment of all our team.”
And there’s plenty more to come! With lots of exciting developments on the way including relocating our head offices to Bristol city centre, the opening of our fourth warehouse in Avonmouth and overseas expansion plans, we’re eager to continue our mission of disrupting the fulfilment industry with all the efforts we’ve shown so far!
Read the full Business Leader article here.
If you need help with your fulfilment needs, check us out here.
Huboo is delighted to have won the Large Business of the Year award at the 2021 Bristol Live Business Awards! We are very proud of the Huboo team whose efforts allowed us to receive this accolade, especially considering the challenges presented over the past two years by the Covid pandemic. We have certainly grown a […]
Huboo has won the ‘Best Scale-Up’ award at this year’s Sparkies tech event. The Huboo team is thrilled to announce we have won the coveted ‘Best Scale-up’ award at this year’s Sparkies ceremony. Our win reflects the continued awards success Huboo has experienced since being founded in 2017. This achievement was possible thanks to the […]
Best Places to Work Certification We’re delighted to have been officially recognised as one of the best places to work in Netherlands for 2021 according to the annual prestigious “Best Places To Work” certification program. The employees ranked the company high on employee conditions, workplace culture and relationships recognising the company as one of the […]


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Mixed bag again, as auto sales contributions are volatile in a generally softening auto market. And the Fed estimates the tax cuts and spending increases will add about .4-.5% to GDP this year. Also, the spending numbers are not inflation adjusted, and year over year cpi has been moving higher:
Strong gains for the discretionary categories of autos and restaurants and a big upward revision to May highlight the June retail sales report. Total sales rose an as-expected 0.5 percent in June with May, in what will be another positive for second-quarter GDP, revised a sharp 5 tenths higher to an outsized 1.3 percent jump.
What’s striking is that autos were very strong in both June and May, up 0.9 and 0.8 percent respectively, with restaurants really showing unusual acceleration, up 1.5 and 2.6 percent in the two months. Gains here point to new confidence among consumers and are consistent with the strength underway in the labor market.
Sales at health & personal care stores were unusually strong in June, up 2.2 percent following a series of very strong gains in the 1 percent range. Nonstore retailers, in a sign of e-commerce strength, rose 1.3 percent in June and continue to make ground compared to other components. Gasoline stations, boosted by high gas prices, saw a 1.0 percent rise in June sales following a 3.0 percent spike in May. Building materials, at plus 0.8 percent in June, and furniture store sales, up 0.6 percent, are both positive indications for residential investment.
Consumer spending in May was at first modest overall on weakness in spending on services though today’s upward retail revision will offer a major lift for May’s final result. And unless services prove flat again, June — based on today’s report — should prove a very strong finish for the second-quarter economy.
Retail are only a bit more than 10% higher than they were in 2008, adjusted for inflation but not population, again demonstrating how weak this recovery has been:
President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met in Finland’s capital city on Monday for a bilateral talk that lasted more than two hours — longer than the 90 minutes that had originally been planned. “The Russian state has never interfered and is not going to interfere into internal American affairs including election process,” Putin said during the conference alongside Trump. “There was no collusion. I didn’t know the president. There was nobody to collude with,” Trump said Monday.
Disputing the US intelligence community, President Trump said at a press conference alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday that “I don’t see any reason why” Russia would interfere in the 2016 election.


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Bankers in Israel and the West Bank will be able to get special discounts on gift cards starting Monday as part of a pilot program by the nation’s largest lender.
The new program is the first such program to offer discounts on bank gift cards.
The discount is valid on purchases made with a bank card in Israel or the West to people in Israel, the West bank and the Gaza Strip.
The promotion will run until July 24, with the final discount starting on July 29.
According to the bank, gift cards are among the most widely used consumer goods in the country, accounting for about $1.7 trillion of purchases per year.
“We want to help customers who are trying to make purchases with gift cards, and we are working with the government to make it easier to do so,” said Moti Katz, head of credit and finance at Bank Leumi.
“There are a lot of people who are in a pinch, and it is good to offer something that is easier to use.”
The bank said it is also encouraging customers to check their credit history, as the discount could save them up to $1,000.
The promotion is part of the Bank Leimi’s efforts to boost the value of the bank’s gift card program and to create a customer-friendly shopping experience.
Bank Leumis, which has branches in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the occupied West Bank, said the pilot program will cost the bank $30 million, including $20 million for marketing.
The bank’s new bank gift card initiative aims to address the problem of low demand for gift-card purchases, Katz said.
“We want people to know that the bank has more than a million customers, and they can get their card for free,” Katz said, adding that the promotion is only for Israelis and the bank is working to get the discount in all branches.
“For people from other parts of the world, it will not help them much.”
The promotion will allow customers to use a gift card for any purchase made in the West, including those made with cash or cheques.
The bank will also offer a gift-cards coupon at checkout.
“The bank offers discounts on these cards, but we are trying not to make too much of a fuss,” Katz added.
“People can still buy gift cards in other ways.
They can buy them online, or they can buy from an ATM.”
The program will also allow the bank to charge extra fees to its customers, Katz added, as well as make other changes.
“All the changes will be in the same spirit.
We want to make sure that we don’t overcharge our customers,” he said.
The Bank Leuma initiative will be open to banks in Israel but will not extend to customers in the Palestinian territories.
The program comes after the Bank of Israel raised its gift card offering for Israel by $10,000 in 2016 to $100,000 a year.
The offer has been available since the fall of 2016.
The current program, which offers discounts for all banks, includes a one-time discount for Israeli citizens.
The previous program was limited to customers with Israeli passports.
Bank of America has offered a similar program for Palestinians in the past, but only for those living in the occupied territories.
Israel’s biggest bank, Bank Leuven, has also raised its discount offer, with a three-year offer available for Israeli residents of the occupied East Jerusalem and West Bank.
The current offer is available to customers living in those areas.
The initiative comes amid growing tensions between Israel and Palestinian leaders over the future of the Jewish state.
Palestinians in Israel accuse the Jewish State of violating international law and of discriminating against them.
Israel has long been criticized by international banks and others for its refusal to allow Palestinians access to their bank accounts and to allow them to deposit and withdraw money in international currencies, despite their right to do both.


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Find out the latest news at Ettinger, from the latest launches to events and competitions.
Four new travel accessories have been introduced to the ‘Age of Travel’-inspired CAPRA COLLECTION
LONDON | TOKYO | NEW YORK Ettinger now offers customers a chance to make their very own bespoke Ettinger accessories.
A new elegant ‘tan’ has been introduced to our 1930s-inspired CAPRA COLLECTION
Celebrate our 85th anniversary with a limited-edition notebook
Well over 100 journalists met with British luxury menswear style leaders at an all-day showcase, held at Spencer House, St James on 2nd July.
The first look at the latest Ettinger products and NEW Capra tan colour launching this Autumn - first seen at Pitti Uomo.
The inaugural Walpole Power List 2019 highlights the 50 most influential people in British luxury and we are delighted the CEO of Ettinger has been named as one of the Legends.
Win The Perfect Gift For Him This Father's Day
A stunning and practical addition to the Ettinger Collection... The New Double Watch Roll


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Nothing in nature blooms all year, and the same goes for our markets. The old saying “sell in May and go away” looks right. Uncovering good news in this market is a little like searching for a needle in a haystack.
The Ukraine conflict has exacerbated supply bottlenecks and material shortages, leaving ever clearer traces in the economy. German industry is experiencing its sharpest slump since the COVID crisis. After the start of the Ukraine conflict, German companies unexpectedly curtailed their production. Industry, construction and energy suppliers together produced 3.9% less in March than in the previous month, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Owing to a shortage of drivers (many forwarders used to employ Ukrainians), there continues to be a bottleneck in terms of sourcing trucks and afterwards finding empty containers. On top of this, fuel prices are rising and therefore also logistics costs.
The officially-reported aluminium ingot prices have been dropping for weeks and there is a lack of good news to stop this fall. China’s zero-COVID policy is leading to less demand worldwide based on lower production. With declining LME and ferrous prices, scrap availability is dropping too. The automotive industry in Germany is reporting that fewer cars are being produced and that semiconductor problems are persisting. Some car manufacturers are no longer accepting new orders as they do not know when the car would be delivered.
To end on a positive story: in times when the waves are higher than a building, the wind stronger than a hurricane and the rain heavier than a lorry, people need to talk through all the possibilities in person for getting through this storm together. It is absolutely the right time to meet and so this month’s BIR Convention in Barcelona will be the best place for the recycling industry to see each other and exchange views.
See you soon and don’t forget: if you are going through hell, keep going.


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Update: Scope of credit card security breach expands
HSBC Bank is just one of several institutions whose customers may be affected
Computerworld - Discover Financial Services Inc. today joined Mastercard International and Visa U.S.A. Inc. in confirming that some of its card holders were also affected by a security problem involving a point-of-sale (POS) system at retailer Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.
A spokeswoman from Discover said that the company has been informing affected card holders of the problem but declined to say how many cards are involved or how long the company has been sending out the letters.
"It was an incident that impacted the credit card industry as a whole," said Discover spokeswoman Jennifer Kang. "We have taken appropriate steps to ensure that card members are safe" from any potential fraud, she said.
The security breach came to light earlier this week when HSBC Bank PLC started sending out letters warning 180,000 of its credit card holders of potential ID thefts.
Visa and MasterCard both confirmed yesterday that they had been notified of the breach and had in turn notified several banks and credit card companies of the potential data compromise. They declined to say how many companies have been notified.
Since Monday, HSBC North America Holdings Inc., a division of London-based HSBC Holdings PLC, has been asking holders of its General Motors Corp.-branded MasterCard to replace their cards because their confidential information may have been compromised (see story).
Thomas Nicholson, an HSBC spokesman, said yesterday that the problem stemmed from a faulty POS system at a national U.S. retail chain, which he didn't identify.
Nancy Murray, a Polo Ralph Lauren spokeswoman, late yesterday confirmed the company's involvement in an e-mailed statement to Computerworld.
"The company did learn that certain credit card information may have been retained and stored in its point of sale software. The company took immediate steps to purge this data and cure the problem," the statement read.
The statement also noted that Polo Ralph Lauren has been working with law enforcement officials and credit card companies since fall 2004 to determine the origin and extent of the compromise. "The company is confident that its credit card system is secure, and that our customers' credit card information is properly protected," it added.
Foster City, Calif.-based Visa said in a statement that it has been working with "the merchant, law enforcement and the affected member financial institutions to monitor and prevent card-related fraud. While we must respect the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation, it's important for cardholders to know they are fully protected against unauthorized purchases with Visa's zero liability fraud protection policy."
Kim Forde, a spokeswoman with American Express said the company is aware of a "potential data compromise"
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Another Australian agricultural company is in the sights of an offshore player, with Spanish food giant Ebro Foods SA lobbing an unsolicited $600 million takeover offer to buy Ricegrowers.
The National Stock Exchange-listed company, which is better known as SunRice, and is one of Australia’s largest exporters of processed branded food products, has entered into a five-week exclusivity period with Madrid-based Ebro.
The two will work on a final purchase agreement, which will be presented to government authorities.
SunRice is being advised by Rothschild and Chang, Pistilli & Simmons Lawyers, while Ebro is being advised by Morgan Stanley.
The bid is the latest of a string of plays made by deep-pocketed overseas companies for local agricultural assets, including Singapore’s Olam International (which is in merger talks with France’s Louis Dreyfus) and Wilmar International.
Olam acquired Queensland Cotton in 2007 and later bought the almond assets from collapsed MIS company Timbercorp, while Wilmar has moved on CSR’s sugar business in a deal worth $1.75 billion.
Canada’s Agrium is hoping AWB’s shareholders vote in favour of its takeover next month. Fellow Canadian Viterra purchased South Australia’s biggest grains handler, ABB Grain, for $1.6 billion in 2009.
SunRice has co-operative roots but has been corporatised and has two classes of shares: A Class voting shares, which are held by about 800 active rice growers; and B Class non-voting shares, which are held by about 2200 active rice growers and individuals who have previously been rice growers.
A Class shareholders will receive $50,000 per share in cash. B Class shareholders will receive $5.025 per share in cash together with 60.3¢ per share of franking credits, Ricegrowers said.
The implied enterprise value is about $600 million and values the equity of SunRice at $315 million.
SunRice needs to address its capital structure in order to fund growth. It tapped drought-stricken growers for more money in June 2009.
“Ebro and SunRice have known and dealt with each other over the last 50 years," he said. “We have been partners in two significant business ventures and remain close trading partners today. Our enduring relationship with Ebro gives the board confidence in Ebro’s capability, integrity and commitment to our industry."
Ebro Foods is the world’s largest producer of rice and the second-biggest producer of pasta. Ebro and SunRice were joint venture partners in Anglo Australia (Liverpool, British-based food ingredients supply company) and Herto (Belgian-based Rice Cakes company) and continue to be trading partners in the supply of rice food products to international markets.
Under its proposal, Ebro will make a minimum five-year commitment to NSW rice growers to purchase rice at a price consistent with historic pricing and based on Californian prices for medium grain rice. Ebro will also look to grow international markets for Australian rice through its existing global market network.
A final agreement is expected to be ready in November and will be submitted for approval to SunRice shareholders in March 2011.
The Australian Financial Review


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LemonBox, a Chinese e-commerce startup that imports vitamins and health products from the U.S., has raised $2 million to develop its business.
The company graduated from Y Combinator’s most recent program in the U.S. and, fueled by the demo day, has pulled in the new capital from 10 investors, which include Partech, Tekton Ventures, Cathexis Ventures, Scrum Ventures and 122 West Ventures.
LemonBox started when co-founder and CEO Derek Weng, a former employee at Walmart in the U.S., saw an opportunity to organize the common practice of bringing health products back in China. Any Mainland Chinese person who has lived in, or even just visited, the U.S. will be familiar with such requests from family and friends, and LemonBox aims to make it possible for anyone in China to get U.S.-quality products without relying on a mule.
The service is primarily a WeChat app — which taps into China’s ubiquitous messaging platform — and a website, although Weng told TechCrunch in an interview this week that the company is contemplating a standalone app of its own. The benefit of that, beyond a potentially more engaging customer experience, could be to broaden LemonBox’s product selection and use data to offer a more customized selection of products. Related to that, LemonBox said it hopes to work with health and fitness-related services in the future to gather data, with permission, to help refine the personal approach.


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As expected, Sprint has completed its acquisition of Clearwire.
The company announced the news on Tuesday, saying that it now owns 100 percent of Clearwire. Sprint previously owned about 50 percent of the wireless company.
Sprint initially offered $2.97 per share for Clearwire. However, after concern over the valuation from shareholders and an unsolicited bid from Dish, Sprint changed its tune and upped its offer to $5 per share. Dish bowed out after the carrier upped its bid.
The deal's closure comes just.
Clearwire offers a nationwide wireless broadband network and has a retail business that offers wireless broadband service to consumers. Sprint wanted to buy out the other Clearwire shareholders to roll the company into its own business. Meanwhile, Japan's Softbank has beenSprint since October.


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The first prototype of the SUV has already tested in South Africa and will commence winter testing in Northern Europe in April.
The design's exterior and interior have now both been signed off by the Volkswagen Group board. Company sources report that the latest creation is less boxy and more "Bentley-like" than the EXP 9 F concept that was first shown in 2012.
Bentley's target is to sell 15,000 vehicles per annum by 2018. Its sales last year were 10,120. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley's chief executive and chairman, said the target can be reached using the marque's existing model range, plus the SUV.
The SUV will be built in Crewe, Schreiber confirmed. About 400 extra personnel will be hired to handle the project, and it is estimated that 600 jobs will be created among closely located suppliers. Schreiber said Bentley tries to give priority to UK suppliers.
The plug-in hybrid version of the SUV is expected to be launched in 2017, before any diesel is considered. The plug-in should offer an electric range of 20-25 miles. It will still feature a big engine, because "it's the Bentley way".
Company chiefs haven't decided which engine and electric motor combination will be used, although the existing V8 seems a strong contender.
The SUV might not mark the end of Bentley's future ambitions. Schreiber said he "could imagine" a luxurious smaller car, perhaps a coupé, that would be built in a limited production run.
However, a supersports car like the Lamborghini-based Hunaudieres concept of 1999 is entirely off the agenda now.


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“There is no reliable evidence that genetically modified foods now on the market pose any risk to consumers,” the paper pointed out in an editorial published Friday (March 15, 2013) and available here: http://nyti.ms/ZU7FQz. “The Food and Drug Administration says it has no basis for concluding that foods developed by bioengineering techniques present different or greater safety concerns than foods developed by traditional plant breeding.”
The Times agreed that consumers have a right to know what is in their food, but noted:
“Consumers can already find products free of genetically engineered ingredients, with labels voluntarily placed by the manufacturers,” “For those who want to avoid such ingredients, the surest way is to buy products certified as ‘organic’ under federal standards. They contain no genetically engineered ingredients, or at most inadvertent trace amounts.” Read more.


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Is TripAdvisor Sandbagging Estimates for a Huge First-Quarter Earnings Beat?
TripAdvisor (NASDAQ: TRIP) reported earnings after the close Wednesday, beating on the top and bottom lines, but managed to disappoint investors on its conference call, sending shares tumbling almost 10 percent.
Leading into the earnings report, JG Capital reiterated its Overweight rating on the stock, stating that it believed earnings would be strong and that the company was the one of the best plays in the travel space. The report proved to be correct, but that didn't seem to help sentiment.
In an effort to distract shareholders from the miss, the company announced a $250 million share buyback program, while naming a new chairman.
Following the report, Morgan Stanley issued a downgrade on the company, sending it to an Equal-weight rating and a $42.00 price target. In the report the company stated that they were disappointed in the single digit revenue growth predicted for 2013, and that their thesis, which previously hinged on long term benefits of the stock, was being called into question.
Later on, the report stated that, “we still think TripAdvisor is one of the best-positioned companies in the online travel space; however the near term uncertainty and the recent run-up in the stock (+30 percent over the past three months) make us move to the sidelines.
While Morgan Stanley was backing off on the hot stock, Monness Crespi Hardt was quick to jump on board, issuing an upgrade to Buy while announcing a $60 price target.
The upgrade was predicated on the fact that the company believes TripAdvisor's guidance is excessively conservative, setting up the company for a series of beats in the coming future- similar to how Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) used to consistently guide 20 percent below what the actual EPS figure ended up being.
The report also stated that the company is expected to raise its guidance in the near future, which should send shares skyrocketing.
Following the earnings release report, shares dropped as low as $41.40 in post-market trading, but have since hovered around $43.60 today, down roughly seven percent.
Latest Ratings for TRIP
|Feb 2017||Cowen & Co.||Downgrades||Market Perform||Underperform|
|Jan 2017||Citigroup||Initiates Coverage On||Neutral|
|Dec 2016||CLSA||Initiates Coverage On||Underperform|
© 2017 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


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Half-Blood Prince Already Breaking Records
The sixth installment of the Potter series Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has barely been out for 24 hours but has already broken records.
Its 12:01 midnight screenings in the US took a whopping $22.2million, the largest sum taken on an opening of that kind.
Paling in comparison are The Dark Knight, opening with $18m, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith ($17m) and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($16m).
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix also opened in midnight slots in 2007, taking $12m and going on to gross $139.7m in its first five-days.
If Half-Blood Prince continues to outperform its predecessor to such an extent, this could be the biggest UK opening weekend of all time by quite a margin.


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The Portuguese tourist board has begun a campaign to encourage UK tourists to continue to visit, whatever happens with Brexit.
Portugal is now outpacing Spain as Europe's fastest-growing tourism market. But the small nation is struggling to meet the industry's steep demands.
The heir to the British throne became the first member of the British royal family to visit the communist-run island. The UK supported the trip in hopes of boosting commercial and cultural ties with Havana.
The ECB has kept its benchmark refinancing rate at zero, as it weighs up risks to the economy from Brexit and trade disputes. ECB chief Mario Draghi said the eurozone's current economic indicators were "weak."
The border has dominated Irish thoughts on Brexit. Amid the political tensions, several English voices have called for Ireland's dependence on UK trade to be used as leverage in negotiations. Are they right?
© 2019 Deutsche Welle |
Legal notice |
| Mobile version


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As cyber threats persist and continue to evolve, staying vigilant and informed remains crucial in safeguarding our digital lives. But should you ever fall victim to a scam and need help in recovering your losses, call the I-ARC hotline 1326.
What is I-ARC?
I-ARC stands for Inter-Agency Response Center. It’s a hotline set up by various government agencies, including the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, National Privacy Commission, and National Telecommunications Commission. The Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation are also involved and responsible for enforcing cybercrime-related laws.
How do you contact I-ARC?
The main hotline number is 1326, which is available 24/7. Alternatively, victims and concerned citizens can call or message I-ARC through the following:
- DITO: 0991-481-4225
- Globe: 0966-976-5971
- Smart: 0947-714-7105
What can you report to I-ARC?
The public is encouraged to report cybercrime cases to I-ARC. Some examples of online scams that can be reported to I-ARC are phishing scams, romance and dating scams, and marketplace scams. Caller ID spoofing, crypto job scams, and other scams you receive via SMS and phone calls can be reported too.
What can I-ARC do for you?
According to Art Samaniego, co-lead convenor of Scam Watch Pilipinas, victims of scams may be able to recover their stolen money and online accounts after contacting I-ARC. The 24/7 hotline has trained professionals who are ready to assist victims and provide them options. In order for I-ARC to start an investigation, victims will need to provide details about the scam, such as when and where it took place and how the scammer contacted them.
With rising cases of cybercrimes in the Philippines, the public is urged to be vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their online accounts and financial wellbeing. Essential measures such as the use of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and avoiding unknown Wi-Fi networks are a must. The public also needs stay informed about the latest cyber threats, inquiries of which the I-ARC can also answer through their hotline.
This article, Got scammed online? Report it to PH anti-scam hotline 1326, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to’s.


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Intel handily beat Wall Street estimates on revenue and earnings per share in its third quarter report Tuesday, but profit slid 6 percent from a year ago.
The Santa Clara chip giant reported third quarter revenue of $14.5 billion and earnings per share of 64 cents. The consensus of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters before the earnings were released was $14.22 billion in revenue and 59 cents a share. In the same quarter of 2014, Intel reported revenue of $14.6 billion and earnings of 66 cents per share.
“We executed well in the third quarter and delivered solid results in a challenging economic environment,” Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said in a news release.
But profit slid to $3.1 billion from $3.3 billion in the same quarter last year.
Krzanich said sales of Intel”s new 6th Gen Core processor had been greeted enthusiastically by customers. That would be good news for a company that has seen declining sales in its core business of selling chips to power PCs.
The PC business continues to decline. The Windows 10 release has not yet been a big revenue driver yet, as PC owners hang on to their machines longer and longer before replacing them. Windows 10 was a free upgrade, and apparently few people rushed out to buy a computer to get the new operating system.
Intel has been trying to decrease its dependence on sales of PCs, which have seen declining sales with the growth of mobile. Two research firms, IDC and Gartner, say shipments of PCs worldwide fell sharply. IDC put the drop at 11 percent while Gartner estimated it was 7.7 percent. Either way, it”s not a healthy trend for a business whose largest revenue source is sales of chips for PCs.
Sales at Intel”s Data Center Group were up 12 percent from a year ago with $4.1 billion in sales, an increase of 8 percent from the second quarter.
Intel is by far the dominant player in selling chips for servers, with an estimated 90 percent or more of the market. It recently acquired Altera in a $16.7 billion deal targeted at a chip that is increasingly being used in servers.
The more recently formed Internet of Things group had $581 million in sales, up 10 percent from a year ago, and software and services were flat from a year ago with sales of $556 million.
The Internet of Things group was created by Intel to tackle the growing market for tiny processors and sensors that are scattered everywhere — in cars, thermostats, clothing and more — to create vast networks that gather information and respond to changes in the environment. Intel also dived into wearable devices, buying Basis, a smartwatch company last year, and introducing a health bracelet, smart earbuds and even a shirt, dress and bra with wearable tech.
To secure sales in Asia, the company has also teamed up with Chinese partners, paying $1.5 billion for a minority 20 percent stake in Tsinghua Unigroup, a subsidiary of Tsinghua Holdings that controls two Chinese companies that make mobile phone chips.
Intel also is forming a partnership with Aliyun, the cloud-computing subsidiary of China”s e-commerce giant Alibaba, to develop products for the international public cloud market, using Intel technology.
It has pushed off delivery of 10 nanometer Cannonlake processor until 2017.
Contact Pete Carey at 408-920-5419 Follow him on Twitter.com/petecarey


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Konami is somewhat off in the video game industry these days. However, it seems that news on your part could be on the way to Nintendo Switch.
This is what a recent message that has been published on Twitter by the official account of Konami Europe
Here you can see it:
At the moment the idea is to add it in the pack with early access, we have no news for the final version. About Switch … I’m sure it won’t be the only one 😉
– KONAMI Europe (@KONAMI_ES) April 21, 2021
What do you think? We will have to be attentive to more details.


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Cambridge and Norwich both feature in a new Tech Nation report which has been published today. The report, which is the largest ever study of the UK’s digital sector, shows that inner London has been ousted from its place at the heart of the digital industry.
The UK is currently home to more start-ups than ever before. Last year, more than 500,000 new companies were created, up from 484,224 the year before. Whilst Bournemouth tops the poll, Cambridge and Norwich both feature in the list of fastest growing cities. In Norwich, 13% of all companies created in 2013/4 were digital companies compared to 10% in Cambridge.
Looking at a wider timeframe between 2010 and 2014, there has been a 46% rise in the growth of new digital companies in Cambridge and at 21% rise in Norwich.
Both cities have shown that their proximity to London coupled with high levels of skilled staff has resulted in significant growth in digital business for the East Anglia region.
With an influx of digital companies and the opportunities created by these businesses, it will be interesting to track the growth of the regions PR agencies to support the publicity needs of these new businesses.
Perhaps this is just the opportunity the region needs to demonstrate how strong and talented the PR practitioner pool is outside the capital as well.


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For Immediate Release:
Contact: Darby Beck
Monday June 29, 2015
OREGON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION LAW TAKES EFFECT
Adult Possession, Home Cultivation Permitted Immediately
Cultivation, Retail Businesses Expected to Open Fall 2016
Measure 91, a voter-approved initiative legalizing marijuana in Oregon, takes effect July 1st and will immediately allow for adult possession and home cultivation. The law permits adults 21 and older to grow four plants and keep eight ounces at home, and possess one ounce in public. Public consumption and sales will continue to remain illegal. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the agency charged with regulating marijuana in the state, will begin to accept applications for cultivation, processing, testing, and retail business licenses starting January 4th, 2016, and businesses are expected to be operational later the same year. More time was allotted to create specific regulations for concentrates to ensure the best possible public safety outcome, so these products will likely not be available immediately when stores open.
“Expending law enforcement resources by going after nonviolent marijuana users is a shameful waste of time and tax dollars, and a distraction from what’s really plaguing neighborhoods,” said Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.), executive director for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a criminal justice group opposed to the drug war. “Cops in Oregon can now get into doing their jobs; protecting communities and helping victims of violent crimes get justice.”
“Oregon still has more to do to ensure marijuana legalization is done properly; lawmakers and regulators are currently working to expunge the records of many non-violent marijuana offenders as well as develop proper regulations for taxes, concentrates, and labeling for consumer and child protection,” saidInge Fryklund, former prosecutor, Oregon resident, and board member LEAP. “We must promote honest and accurate public information along with sensible regulations. Oregon can and will be a model for future states looking to consider legalization in 2016 and beyond.”
23 States and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of medical marijuana access, while 4 states have decided to legalize and regulate adult use generally. Oregon’s regulatory model will be developed with Colorado and Washington’s previous successes and failures in mind. Among the priorities of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission are preventing accidental ingestion by children with the use of appropriate childproof packaging and ensuring that extracts, concentrates, and edibles are carefully regulated, tested, and labeled.
Last Wednesday, June 24th, the Oregon House passed HB 3400, by a vote of 52-4, which addresses several points of contention. The bill created a tracking system for monitoring plants from seed to retail sales, which will help deter the drug from the illegal market and ensure accountability for businesses with inferior or contaminated products. It also permits jurisdictions where at least 55% of voters disapproved Measure 91 to opt out of issuing marijuana related business licenses. HB 3400 also expunges many marijuana-related offenses from criminal records, which will affect tens of thousands of Oregonians. The bill will now advance to the Senate.
202-225-4811 or U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer will speak at the Portland ACLU for a legalization launch event to focus on the importance of marijuana legalization nationwide and what to expect for the future of the drug policy reform. For more information, contact Nicole L’Esperance. Nicole.firstname.lastname@example.org.
Anthony Johnson, Chief Petitioner for Measure 91, co-wrote the measure, spearheaded the campaign, and has been working on marijuana legalization for more than a decade. He can be reached at 503-752-3966 for comments.
LEAP is committed to ending decades of failed policy that have created underground markets and gang violence, fostered corruption and racism, and largely ignored the public health crisis of addiction.


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Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark has announced the first phase of a £246m investment in battery technology intended to establish the UK as a world leader.
Volvo is to set up a new technology joint venture with Chinese car group Geely to accelerate plans to develop cars fully or partly based on electric motors.
Skyline Taxis has deployed four EVs for operation in Milton Keynes with the help of the local council.
Ford has revealed its facelifted Transit Custom van for 2018, which will gain a plug-in hybrid model in 2019.
Charging points deployed in Coventry city centre under the Plugged in Places project are being replaced with new chargers linked to the GeniePoint network.
Residents, visitors and business users of the new £9bn Battersea Power Station project are being given access to 100 Rolec Smart EV charge points.
Daimler and Chinese joint venture partner BAIC Motor are to produce Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles in China under a 5bn yuan (£580m) investment.
Volkswagen has unveiled a new research car that could provide a heads up on the technology and design for the next-generation Golf.
Hyundai’s Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid is to go on sale this month, joining the electric and hybrid versions and bringing pricing from £24,995 OTR (including £2,500 PICG).
Cap HPI is updating its new vehicle data with analysis for nearly 200 electric and hybrid derivatives available in the UK market.
Five project to develop active travel or low carbon transport hubs, including the installation of a new hydrogen refuelling station, have scored £3.25m in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Hrvatski Telekom d.d. (HT) has signed up its Croatian network to the Hubject digital cross-provider network.
The Eden Project has reported a significant drop in its fleet running costs after deploying electric Renaults a year ago.
ChargePoint is to operate GE’s EV charging network, adding nearly 10,000 residential and commercial charging spots.
Leasing companies are being urged to cut monthly costs on electric vehicles by taking action to increase residual values through used buyer education.
Aston Martin has confirmed production of its first all-electric model, due to hit the roads in 2019 in a limited build run of 155 cars.
London businesses and business groups can now apply for funding to deploy low emission vehicle infrastructure or zero emission home delivery services. Launched today by City Hall, the new Air Quality Business Fund aims … Read More »
A new guide intended to provide local authorities with all they need to know about installing on-street charge points is now available from UK Power Networks.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals has deployed its first EV on the 30-strong vehicle fleet following successful trials.
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese has called on the Federal Government in Australia to develop a national policy and incentives to drive electric vehicle imports and sales.


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PC Shipments Expected to Have Strong Second Half of 2012, Long-Term PC Growth Capped Within Single Digits, According to IDC
For much of 2011, vendors struggled to maintain consumer interest in a market beset by a tenuous economic recovery and disrupted by emerging computing devices. The lack of interest was evidenced by a lackluster Christmas season. Mature markets such as the United States and Western Europe, in particular, had a rough year, with PC shipments in 2011 shrinking by 9% compared to 2010.
Looking ahead, the PC market will still enjoy pockets of growth, particularly in emerging markets. IDC expects 2012 PC growth to be modest at just 5.0% for the year, with most of that growth occurring in the latter half of the year."Many consumers are holding off making PC purchases at the moment because tablet devices like Apple's iPad are proving to be a powerful distraction," according to Bob O'Donnell, vice president of Clients and Displays at IDC. "However, end user surveys tell us that few people consider media tablets as replacements for their PCs, so later this year when there is a new Microsoft operating system, available in sleek new PC form factors, we believe consumer interest in PCs will begin to rebound."
Although emerging markets have continued to show good uptake, IDC has slightly reduced its outlook in some regions. The 2012 forecast for China has been lowered to 9%, the first time single-digit growth has been forecast for a year. Part of the adjustment amongst emerging markets comes from the shortage of disk drives, which greatly impacts white box PC manufacturers who play a prevalent role in these markets. Secondly, the prospect of slowing exports will also likely affect PC spending as both consumers and SMBs in developing countries scale back.
"2012 and 2013 will bring significant challenges for Microsoft and the PC community," said Jay Chou, senior research analyst, Worldwide PC Tracker. "The Wintel platform must evolve to accommodate user expectations of ubiquitous computing on a multitude of devices and physical settings. Windows 8 and ultrabooks are a definitive step in the right direction to recapturing the relevance of the PC, but its promise of meshing a tablet experience in a PC body will likely entail a period of trial and error, thus the market will likely see modest growth in the near term."
IDC Central Europe GmbH
IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. For more than 48 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.


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| Oct 17, 2014
| 8:49 AM
The Port of Los Angeles in September saw its busiest month in eight years, as larger cargo ships called at the port and retailers rushed in goods for the holiday season.
The port said cargo volume -- including imports, exports and empty containers --...
| Sep 23, 2014
| 1:45 PM
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Thick smoke from a smoldering fire started by a welder's torch at the Port of Los Angeles was preventing the movement of containers at the facility on Tuesday, because the foul air was too harmful for dock workers, officials said....
| Sep 10, 2014
| 12:24 PM
A breakwater protecting the Port of Long Beach will require an estimated $20 million in emergency repairs after heavy surf last month from Hurricane Marie inflicted substantial damage, including dozens of breaches, officials said.
Eleven of the breaches...
| Sep 5, 2014
| 8:42 PM
The latest hurricane churning off the coast of Baja California could bring some rain and thunderstorms to parts of drought-stricken Southern California, forecasters said Friday.
As Hurricane Norbert slowly moves northwest along Mexico's Baja peninsula,...
| Aug 27, 2014
| 3:41 PM
Surging surf caused by Hurricane Marie battered Santa Catalina Island, leaving a wake of destruction at a boatyard and creating hazardous conditions at Avalon Harbor, officials said Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday night, a structure on Pacific Coast...
| Aug 28, 2014
| 6:32 AM
Strong waves with some swells reaching up to 15 feet are expected to continue Thursday, and may produce coastal flooding, forecasters say.
Monster waves sparked by Hurricane Marie have wreaked havoc on beach communities, flooding homes in Seal Beach and...
| Aug 28, 2014
| 10:20 AM
Catalina Island was cleaning up Thursday, a day after waves from Hurricane Marie caused significant damage.
Estimates of costs from the damage were not immediately available.
Waves tore through the boatyard at Pebbly Beach on the east end of the...
| Aug 28, 2014
| 9:05 PM
Just days into his vacation, Brian Pearson sat under an umbrella and stared toward the yellow caution tape stretched in front of the inviting ocean.
The float his grandchildren had stood on as they played in the water just days before was now gone,...
| Jul 13, 2014
| 2:00 PM
Los Angeles engineering and construction firm AECOM Technology Corp. has agreed to acquire a San Francisco competitor, creating what the firm said will be the largest public company based in Los Angeles.
AECOM said Sunday it will pay about $4 billion to...
| Jul 7, 2014
| 7:43 AM
More than 120 truck drivers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports walked off the job Monday morning, organizers said, launching an indefinite protest against what they say are widespread workplace violations.
The picket lines are the largest...
| Jul 9, 2014
| 11:30 AM
Retailers are rushing goods into the nation's ports, fearful labor strife may arrive on the docks and affect the busy holiday season, a trade group said.
The powerful longshoremen’s union is negotiating a new contract for its nearly 20,000...


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Strengthening of economic and trade ties between Armenia and the US was the priority of the Us Ambassador in Armenia Richard Mills’ mission in RA, the Ambassador said at the press conference organized by Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of the USA in Armenia.
The Ambassador mentioned that representatives of the United States Department of Commerce visited Armenia this week to present the opportunities offered by GPS system which Armenia may take advantage of.
Answering a question on the time-frame of signing of a convention for avoiding double taxation, the Ambassador said that this question was brought up by the Government of Armenia and that signing of such a convention will be discussed if it becomes necessary for trade stimulation.
According to him, the document on double taxation adopted in 1970’s is enough for the development of trade between the countries.
The Ambassador mentioned that they are waiting for the Armenian Government’s arguments for the necessity of a new convention.
In turn, the first Deputy of the Minister of Economic Development and Investments of RA Garegin Melkonyan informed that the commodity circulation between Armenia and the US was $91 mln during January-July period of 2017 which is 38% more than the index of the same period of last year.
He mentioned that thanks to the GSP tariff system commodities produced in Armenia are imported to the US with a zero interest rate and that the products that could take advantage of thе system, in fact, took it for 100%.


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(Pocket-lint) - Amazon is set to close most of its physical retail stores, announcing that all 68 of its Amazon Books, Amazon 4-Star and Amazon Pop Up brick-and-mortar locations in the UK and US are to be shut down.
Amazon Books was one of the company's first forays into in-person retail experiences, first opening a store in 2015 before expanding to 24 locations in the US. Amazon 4-Star shops came later, which, as the name indicates, featured a curated catalogue of highly-rated products from its online storefront.
The Pop Up stores, meanwhile, were smaller kiosk experiences that often rotated products and partnered with different brands. Interestingly, these were also sidelined considerably back in 2019, when Amazon closed 87 of them in the US to focus more on Books and 4-Star stores. Now, they are being killed off entirely.
In a similar vein to that Pop-Up refocus in 2019, the news that Amazon is again shifting its priorities isn't surprising; these stores have always felt more of an exercise in just how far the Amazon brand could seep into various areas of retail's consciousness, rather than whole-hearted efforts to compete.
It's also possibly why Amazon isn't scrapping plans for physical stores completely, as well. The company's grocery and fashion stores remain, for now, and appear likely to wind up being the experiments that stick, rather than slide.
As for Books, 4-Star and Pop-Up locations, Amazon hasn't yet laid out the timeline for their full closure - though Reuters indicates that this will vary from store to store.


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IoT cybersecurity startup Ordr raises $27.5M
Cybersecurity platform startup Ordr Inc. said today it has raised $27.5 million in new funding to expand its reach worldwide, including growing its enterprise sales teams and recruiting more partners.
The Series B round was led by Battery Ventures and included Wing Venture Capital, 1011 Ventures and Unusual Ventures. As part of the deal, Battery Ventures General Partner Dharmesh Thakker is joining Ordr’s board.
Founded in 2015, Ordr focuses on cybersecurity for “internet of things” devices. The company offers what it describes as a “unique touchless approach to proactive security within the enterprise” through its Systems Control Engine. The company said the platform fully maps every device across a given enterprise using machine learning to continuously inspect each device while measuring behavior to detect security issues.
Using machine learning, the company’s SCE can build a baseline understating of connected devices to flag suspicious devices in real time, operating on top of existing network and security infrastructure.
“It’s becoming increasingly critical that enterprises properly protect network-connected devices and the network itself from potentially nefarious activity,” Greg Murphy, chief executive officer of Ordr, said in a statement. “For far too long, these organizations have been in a reactive mode, using tools that provide only basic visibility, responding to device vulnerabilities as they are discovered. In our view, enterprises must be proactive, ensuring that their most mission-critical assets and business functions are always protected.”
In an interview with VentureBeat, co-founders Gnanaprakasam Pandian and Sheausong Yang said Ordr is poised for growth in key industries such as health care, manufacturing, distribution and retail where mission-critical legacy networks conducive to automated, set-it-and-forget-it solutions such as SCE.
Ordr’s customers including ProHealth Care, Beebe Healthcare, Mercy Care, Next Wave Health Advisors and Huntzinger Management Group Inc.
Including the new funding, Ordr has raised $44 million to date.
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loot box gambling – a lottery?
The Swedish Consumer Agency’s (Konsumentverket) report suggests there may be problems with the business model for loot boxes in relation to children and vulnerable consumers. Subsequently, the Swedish Ministry of Finance has referred the Swedish Consumer Agency’s report on loot boxes to a legislative committee (Spelmarknadsutredningen). This agency claims that if the winnings in a loot box can be turned into cash, it is a lottery, covered by the Gaming Act.
The Ministry of Finance said the government’s Gambling Act Inquiry will
"consider the recommendations" of the Consumer Agency, but there is a growing belief among those in Sweden that the government will take some form of action against loot boxes.
"We need to ensure that consumers have adequate protection. The fact that computer and video games are of great interest to children and young people makes the issue extra important," said social security minister Ardalan Shekarabi, the MP responsible for gambling in Sweden.
However, when it comes to legal realities of the law, a Stockholm-based international lawyer pointed to several tricky technicalities that may stall any attempt to classify loot boxes as a kind of lottery.
"The problem here is how the state will define the [Consumer Agency’s] statement that 'if the winnings in a loot box can be converted into money, it is a lottery that is covered by the Gaming Act'," explained Ola Wiklund, founder of Wiklund Law.
"There are also strong arguments to support the view that the existing law doesn’t apply to loot boxes," said Wiklund.
"Firstly, the games are not provided for a geographically determined group of consumers. Secondly, the lottery definition doesn’t really apply to loot boxes without an amendment, since the money conversion is of a different nature compared to a traditional lottery."
"In short, to regard loot boxes as falling under the law will amount to a regulatory overreach that is unlikely to stand in a court of law," he said. However, Wiklund noted that, in the end, political reality may win out.
Read the article Loot Boxes and Domestic Gaming Laws – Regulatory Overreach, published on GamblingComplience, 29 October 2019


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You won’t be seeing Kanye West’s Donda 2 on the Billboard charts — and it’s not for lack of sales.
Since the Stem Player device can be used for other things — not just playing the album — it falls under Billboard’s latest merch bundle rules, where albums being sold with merchandise are not considered chart eligible.
On February 18, Ye reported that he had sold 39,500 Stem Players to date, bringing in a total of $8.6 million. Ye released four Donda 2 tracks on Stem Player on February 23, and dropped 12 more the next day.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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A Google Glass user in California may have become the first to get a ticket for using the wearable while driving. Cecilia Adabie was stopped by a Highway Patrol officer last night then summoned to the superior court for “driving with monitor visible to driver.”
The ticket has sparked debate over whether or not it should be legal to use Google Glass while behind the wheel.
The iPhone has become just as much a camera as a communication device. So if you love using your iPhone and want to take advantage of its ability to take great photos then Cult of Mac has a video course for you – and at the low price of only $19 for a limited time.
Apple has confirmed it will seek to add Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 to its ongoing patent-infringement lawsuit against the Korean electronics giant.
In a statement filed in the U.S. District Court in California on Monday, Apple said it has analyzed the Galaxy S4 and “concluded that it is an infringing device and accordingly intends to move for leave to add the Galaxy S4 as an infringing product.”
Entire ad campaigns have been created to get people to stop texting while driving. It seems like common sense – you can’t get where you need to go if you’re busy texting your friend Sheila all about how excited you are for your date tonight.
But what if you can’t get to your date because you need to check your phone’s maps? Is it ok to look at maps while you’re driving? According to the California court of appeals, no way!
Apple is hoping to have a group lawsuit alleging it collected data from million of customers while they used approved apps thrown out of court after arguing that the plaintiffs have failed to prove their claims. At a hearing in San Jose, California, on Thursday, lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh to give the designate the suit a class action — but Apple says they cannot prove any harm has been done.
Samsung EVP David Eun, who is currently part of the company’s Open Innovation Center, believes the ongoing litigation between Apple and Samsung is “a loss” to innovation. Eun was probed for his opinion on the subject during an interview today at the D:Dive Into Media conference in Dana Point, California, and although he wouldn’t say much about the ongoing battles between the two consumer tech giants, he made it clear that he didn’t approve of it.
ANAHEIM, Calif. – If it’s late January in Anaheim, that means one thing: the North American Music Merchant’s (NAMM) convention turning the area around Disneyland into an even bigger madhouse. NAMM is for musicians what CES is for consumer electronics junkies; just a lot more hair and tattoos. More than 90,000 people will descend on this modestly-sized convention center best suited to hold about 10,000 max.
NAMM has run continuously since 1901, making it one of the oldest trade shows in the country. For the last 35 years it has come to Anaheim and has clearly outgrown the modest convention center, but NAMM is reluctant to leave.
Not all of Apple’s new iMacs are being assembled by Foxconn.
When you open up a new Apple gadget — whether it be a new MacBook Pro or an iPhone 5 — the packaging will almost always tell you it’s been “designed by Apple in California” and “assembled in China.” But Apple’s new iMacs are an exception to that, because some of the all-in-ones are being assembled in the good old United States of America.


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The facility will not manufacture any products though.
MotorCycleNews reports that Royal Enfield's Leicestershire R&D facility will be operational by early-2017. In May this year, the company announced that it will invest INR 600 crores towards product development and setting up of two technical centres, in Leicestershire, UK and Chennai, India.
The investment will also go towards enhancing manufacturing capacity and market development activities across geographies, Eicher Motors Ltd Managing Director and CEO Mr. Siddhartha Lal, said.
Though the Leicestershire facility will not see any manufacturing, the "evolution of Royal Enfield motorcycles for international markets will take place" from this base, the MotorCycleNews report states. The Leicestershire facility could be instrumental in the adaptation and development of Royal Enfield's forthcoming 600-650 cc twin-cylinder motorcycle, which is aimed at markets in the United States and Europe.
Though details on the motorcycle are scarce, reports state that it will be a cruiser, and will compete with the likes of Harley Davidsons and Triumphs. With this product, Royal Enfield hopes it will get closer to becoming the world’s number one motorcycle maker in the mid-size category (200-750 cc).
Royal Enfield have opened a new store this week at Thatto Heath in St Helen’s, Merseyside, UK, in an attempt to expand their dealership network in the UK.
[Source - MotorCycleNews]


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One of the most defining changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has been the way consumers are interacting with brands. According to the EY Future Consumer Index, 41% of Asia-Pacific consumers surveyed are visiting stores less frequently than they used to before. Even as economies begin to recover and safety measures ease, the use of digital channels to navigate day-to-day activities is expected to stay.
The surge in marketing, sales and service transaction volumes on digital channels has been phenomenal. Notably, hybrid transactions such as “click and collect” — where consumers purchase goods online and pick them up from a physical location — and new ways of selling products and services such as through livestreaming have gained traction. Competitors are shortening the lead time in delivering goods and experiences to 24 hours or less, significantly stretching the supply chain. Consumers increasingly expect the same level of service online or better compared with physical channels. In addition, the boundaries between grocery retail, food delivery services and the online marketplace are increasingly blurring, with a growing number of direct and indirect competitors investing to share the market.
With such complexity of change confronting brands, they must now explore different and innovative ways to meet increasing customer expectations, consumption and spending behavior to build engagement and ultimately secure customers’ trust. In other words, traditional ways to market, sell and serve customers are no longer enough.
While efforts have been made to convert customers from offline to online channels, brands are still uncertain if their sales and marketing strategy can provide a cohesive experience for customers.
Typically, brands still face challenges in the following areas:
- Tailoring customer communications and engagements by individuals instead of segments
- Maintaining competitive pricing without jeopardizing the sales margin
- Converting customers who are browsing products to buyers
- Maintaining consistency of information and policies across all channels
- Achieving a seamless experience handoff between offline and online channels
- Providing flexibility in goods and services delivery
- Balancing inventory availability and goods returned due to product quality