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Nets-Concardis merger targets Germany’s cash-centric economy
Denmark-based Nets is merging with Concardis Payment Group, a leading merchant payment service provider in German-speaking regions of Europe, with hopes of expanding their respective footprints in Germany, where about 75% of payments are conducted in cash.
Nets and Concardis will join forces through a share exchange, with Nets CEO Bo Nilsson leading the combined entity and Concardis CEO Robert Hoffman reporting to Nilsson, the companies said in a Monday press release.
Nets has played a key role in driving several Netherlands-based mobile payments initiatives by uniting 62 banks and thousands of merchants in the Bokis mobile payment scheme, piloting finger vein payments in Copenhagen and extending real-time payments in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Concardis, based in Eschborn, Germany, is a major provider of e-commerce technology in the region, supporting merchant portals and invoicing solutions. The companies will jointly offer technology for online, offline, mobile, recurring and real-time payments, according to the release.
“This merger with Concardis Group enables us to increase our exposure to the German-speaking part of Europe which, in addition to being a high-growth area, is an ideal springboard for the rest of Europe,” said Nilsson in the release, noting that consolidation has been a recent theme in the European payments industry.
“Combining our product knowledge and technological capabilities will allow us to go to market even quick with state-of-the-art and customer-friendly products,” added Hoffman in the release.
The merger creates a business with approximately US$584 million in EBITDA and $1.5 billion in net revenue, according to the release. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approval.


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According to a recent New York Times article written by Nancy Folbre, professor emerita of economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the price of solar panels has dropped some 60 percent over the past three years and the cost of producing solar energy is now as cheap, if not cheaper, than the cost of energy from nuclear power plants. So while renewable energy has had its critics, it appears that solar is becoming "a powerful environmental and economic success story."
While 62 percent of American homeowners are interested in solar power for their residences, fewer than half realize that products have become much more affordable, according to SolarCity, the largest provider of residential solar systems in the U.S. Today, there are fewer than half a million household rooftops with photovoltaic installations, leaving about 74.5 million residential opportunities in the U.S.
Home improvement retailers were among the first to see the potential of solar. Home Depot, Lowe's and Menards all sell solar panels and offer access to installation services online and in stores.
Yesterday, Best Buy became the first large consumer electronics chain to get into selling solar with an announcement that SolarCity would offer its services at 60 of the retailer's locations in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New York and Oregon.
As a special promotion, SolarCity will give new customers it picks up through Best Buy a $100 gift card valid on any purchase made in the store.
Do you agree or disagree that we are near or at a tipping point for residential solar power in the U.S.?

domain: news


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Exciting updates have emerged about the latest Apple Phone 17. An analyst has shared some exciting information about the front-facing camera of the upcoming 2025 iPhone. According to reports, the camera is set to receive a significant upgrade compared to the current generation of models. Now, let’s take a closer look.
As per a recent report on Medium, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that Apple is preparing for a significant enhancement to the front-facing camera on the iPhone 17. Reports suggest that the upcoming iPhone will come with an impressive 24-megapixel sensor. This represents a significant upgrade compared to the previous versions, which only provided a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. Simply put, the pixel count of the camera on the iPhone 17 is twice as much as that of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.
Ming-Chi Kuo also mentions that the enhanced resolution will provide crisper images with greater detail. However, the increase in megapixels is not the only change being discussed. According to the analyst, Apple is considering a shift to a six-element lens. This feature enables the image sensor to automatically correct distortions, resulting in more precise and accurate images. In addition, the selfie camera’s low-light performance will also experience significant enhancements, although these improvements do come with a price.
A Taiwanese company named Yujingguang will supply the lens system for the iPhone 17, according to Kuo. According to his statement, the cost of the selfie camera on the iPhone 15 will be significantly higher, ranging from 100 to 120 percent more expensive than the 5P lens system. So, it’s safe to assume that the pricing of the iPhone 17 will mirror the added expenses. In our recent reports, we also discussed the possibility of a 48-megapixel telephoto lens being included on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Rumors are circulating that Apple will begin production of the iPhone 17 series in India. Lastly, there have been rumors circulating about the iPhone 17 Pro models potentially incorporating under-display Face ID technology.
- Apple Year Of The Dragon Official Stock Wallpapers
- Apple Releases AirPods Pro Year Of The Dragon Edition in China
- New Unity Wallpaper in iOS 17.3 Release Candidate
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro camera and build leaked
- Apple Vision Pro may launch outside the US before WWDC 2024.


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A feud between two streaming rivals is easing up.
The Amazon Prime Video streaming app is now available for Apple TV.
Apple ( CEO Tim Prepare dinner mentioned on the firm’s developer convention in June that Apple’s streaming media participant would help Amazon’s video app by the top of this 12 months. )
Beginning Wednesday, Amazon Prime customers will be capable of extra simply watch motion pictures and TV reveals straight on Apple TV, slightly than utilizing a workaround to reflect content material from an iPhone or one other Apple machine by way of AirPlay.
Streaming gadgets permit folks to make use of apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and Amazon Prime on their TV. A lot of the corporations making these gadgets even have their very own streaming companies. The competitors has led to some standoffs.
Amazon’s personal streaming machine, Hearth TV ($70), competes straight with the pricier Apple TV ($149).
Amazon stopped promoting Apple TV and Google Chromecast gadgets in 2015, a 12 months after it launched Hearth TV. However with the Apple and Amazon streaming rivalry coming to finish, Apple TV might ultimately be that can be purchased on Amazon.
Help for the Apple TV Amazon Prime Video app got here in the future after Google ( introduced it was eradicating YouTube help from each Hearth TV and Echo Present, Amazon’s good speaker that encompasses a touchscreen. Google pulled the service as a result of Amazon would not promote its merchandise, the corporate informed CNN Tech. )
Each Amazon Prime Video and YouTube can be found on Roku, a streaming stick not manufactured by tech trade behemoths.
Staying out of the fray has been good for enterprise. In accordance to eMarketer, the Roku ($30) is the preferred streaming machine within the U.S.
Heather Kelly contributed to this report
CNNMoney (San Francisco) First revealed December 6, 2017: four:27 PM ET
Learn More about Best Forex Signals


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BOULDER, Colo., March 16, 2012 – Double Helix, LLC (Boulder, CO) and the University of Colorado recently completed an exclusive option agreement to allow Double Helix to develop a novel technique for 3D super-resolution imaging.
The technology was developed by Rafael Piestun, a professor in the CU-Boulder department of electrical and computer engineering. Super-resolution – techniques to enhance the resolution of an imaging system beyond the limitations set by the diffraction of light – is key to the development of next-generation microscopes and other optical instruments. The Double Helix optical technology combines 3D optics and a unique signal post-processing technique used for quality improvement in image processing.
|Microtubule structure of rat kangaroo epithelial cells, using conventional fluorescence microscopy (top) and 3D Double Helix super-resolution microscopy (bottom). Images courtesy of G. Grover, K. DeLuca, J. DeLuca and R. Piestun|
“We are looking forward to bringing this leading-edge technology to the market, initially in microscopy and later to more markets including metrology and digital optics, a stronghold of the Boulder entrepreneurial community,” said Double Helix founding partner Leslie Kimerling.
“We are excited to see this company launch with our broad fundamental patents,” said Ted Weverka, a licensing manager at the CU Technology Transfer Office. “The cost savings and superior technology will give Double Helix a strong lead.”
About Double Helix:
Double Helix, LLC was founded in 2011 by Dr. Rafael Piestun. The company works in close collaboration with scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder to develop and commercialize computational optical-digital technologies used in range estimation, super-resolution, and 3D imaging. The company designs products that integrate micro and nano technologies with computational algorithms to offer improved performance in conjunction with reductions in cost, size and complexity. Double Helix focuses on product development while exploring licensing opportunities based on ongoing technological advances.


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Xiaomi is making its fifth birthday celebrations its grandest one yet, and just like in 2014 it is making this a global celebration. For the Malaysian market, there are plenty of device offers and games, but consumers can also look forward to six new products coming to Malaysia which will be available from 8 April.
Unfortunately, those eagerly waiting to see the Mi Note phablet to be among the six products will be sorely disappointed – there’s only one new smartphone coming on 8 April, and that’s just a Dark Grey variant of the recently-launched Redmi 2. This smartphone will remain priced at RM449, as Xiaomi has promised no price increases after the implementation of the Malaysian GST.
The other five new products which will be coming to Malaysia will be various accessories, including a new 5000mAh Mi Power Bank in striking Red, a Mi LED light that is powered by USB, and two new colours for the Mi Band (blue and yellow).
Besides that, there’s also the awkwardly adorable Mi Phone Stand (colour: Moo Cow Blue – we’re not kidding) and the Teddy Mi Bunny 25cm (or its full name, OMG Super Cute Mi Teddy Bear Bunny).
These products will be available from 8 April, but on that day itself these products will only be available during two two-hour time slots: 12pm-2pm and 8pm-10pm. The retail prices of the new products are listed as below:
- Redmi 2 (Dark Grey) – RM449
- Mi Power Bank 5000 mAh (Red) – RM40
- Mi LED Light (Blue or White) – RM16
- Mi Band Strap (Blue or Yellow) – RM16
- Mi Phone Holder (Blue Dairy Cow) – RM10
- Teddy Mi Bunny 25CM (Brown or Pink) – RM34
Xiaomi has also released a buying guide for Malaysians ahead of the 8 April one-day only sale, with all the information you may need ahead of one of Xiaomi’s biggest sales of the year.


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Sella McCartney -- the British fashion designer and daughter of rock star Paul McCartney -- has once again been selected to design her country's Olympic uniforms, according to reports in the British media. McCartney was responsible for the Union Jack-adorned outfits that British athletes wore at the 2012 London Games.
The Mirror quoted an unnamed source confirming that Adidas has selected her to handle the design work again for Rio de Janeiro in 2016. "Stella has been asked to submit her portfolio for official approval, but has already had loads of ideas," the source said. "She is very patriotic, and the kit will reflect this." After serving as creative director for Chloe in Paris, McCartney launched her own fashion house in 2001. She has more than 30 stores worldwide, including one in West Hollywood. McCartney also has a history of designing athletic wear -- including women's shoes, tennis dresses and tights -- for Adidas.
Source: Los Angeles Times


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Google’s employees continue to criticize the company’s AI efforts, calling Bard AI “cringe-worthy” and saying its answers could lead to “serious injury or death.”
- Marketing Strategies
Samsung May Default to Bing, Sending Google Into a Panic
The cracks in Google’s search dominance are beginning to show, with Samsung considering making Bing the default on its devices.
AI Helps Drive Bing Across the 100M Daily User Threshold
Bing has hit an important milestone, thanks to an AI-driven boost, now boasting 100 million Daily Active Users.
Mini-Review: Brave Search Introduces AI-Powered Summarizer
Brave Search has unveiled its latest feature, the AI-powered Summarizer, which is designed to give users quick answers.
Users Can Now Adjust Bing AI’s Personality
Microsoft has added a major new feature to its Bing AI, allowing users to choose how they want the AI to behave.
DOJ Says Google Misled It, “Systematically Destroyed” Messages
The Department of Justice says Google “systematically destroyed” messages and misled the agency about its actions.
It’s Official: Bing Is Cool, and Google Search Is In Trouble
Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing represents an existential threat to Google’s search, with early reports suggesting Google may be in serious trouble.
Microsoft Expands AI Bing Preview to Mobile Apps & Skype
Microsoft has expanded its AI-powered Bing preview, incorporating it in Bing and Edge mobile apps, as well as Skype.


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Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is now offering customers with an NFC mobile phone running Android 4.4 KitKat or higher the ability to make mobile payments using host card emulation. “The payments can be made via CBA’s mobile banking app, which so far has 3.2 million registered users and has been used to make more than $100bn in transactions since late 2013,” Australian Financial Review reports.
- Sarine to add NFC to share details on diamonds and gemstones
- WhatsApp tests NFC for group invites
- Samsung Pay gets new features and gives away $100,000 in prizes
- NXP rebrands Mifare SDK as TapLinx
- FCC authorizes mysterious Apple product


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After a brief tease yesterday, Sega has confirmed a PC release for Yakuza Kiwami 2.
A rating for Yakuza Kiwami 2 on PC has appeared on the ESRB's website.
Sega has shared a debut trailer for the upcoming remaster of Yakuza 5.
PC owners have been waiting a while, but Yakuza Kiwami has finally arrived on PC.
A new beta update is now available for Yakuza 0 on PC.
Sega has finally revealed when Yakuza Kiwami will be coming to PC.
Sega has released a debut trailer for its upcoming remaster of Yakuza 4.


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BOCA RATON — In this town,which is said to have more stock brokers per capita than any other place in America, selling something at a discount can be a mistake.
It seems as though some of the denizens of this city, which is referred to as an ``upscale market`` by local retailers, simply cannot countenance the idea of putting their food in a bag at a supermarket.
Someone else should put their food in a bag.
For Pantry Pride Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, bowing to the demand from that segment of the market has meant departing from its self-service format at one of its two warehouse-style Sun Supermarkets in Boca, and considering a change at the the other.
A cashier who works at the Sun on Palmetto Park Road -- where customers bag their purchases themselves -- said recently that some customers are appalled when confronted with the prospect of putting groceries in the bags themselves.
``There are some stodgy people who go through the line and say `We have to do it ourselves?` `` said the employee, who asked not to be identified.
``Some say it with shock or disgust -- people who pay with hundred dollar bills,`` the employee added.
Pantry Pride opened the warehouses throughout South Florida as part of a restructuring that includes a shift to larger, discount stores. By eliminating such amenities as price tags on each item in the store, and employees who do nothing but put food in bags, they can offer lower prices than are available in conventional Pantry Pride stores.
But Boca is Boca, and Pantry Pride`s management knew not to open its store on North Federal Highway without providing employees to load groceries into bags.
Pantry Pride spokeswoman Judy Napier confirmed that the company is considering adding the service at the Palmetto Park Road site as well.


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As you're probably aware, the Apple iPad, like the iPhone and iPod Touch, doesn't support Flash. Apple has its reasons for this, but clearly Adobe isn't happy about it. Here's their response.
It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple's DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers. And without Flash support, iPad users will not be able to access the full range of web content, including over 70% of games and 75% of video on the web.
If I want to use the iPad to connect to Disney, Hulu, Miniclip, Farmville, ESPN, Kongregate, or JibJab — not to mention the millions of other sites on the web — I'll be out of luck.
Adobe and more than 50 of our partners in the Open Screen Project are working to enable developers and content publishers to deliver to any device, so that consumers have open access to their favorite interactive media, content, and applications across platform, regardless of the device that people choose to use.
The main arguments against Flash running on the iPad are that it's a resource hog and a security risk. Both true! Hopefully the web is moving away from relying on Flash for videos and ugly menus, with HTML5 acting as a more-than-adequate replacement. But we're not there yet. While I can appreciate the fact that Apple is trying to keep the iPad more stable by not including Flash, the fact that it kills off most online gaming and video streaming in the process makes the tradeoff questionable. [Adobe]


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Kobe Bryant’s feud with his parents over memorabilia they intended to sell has ended with an apology from Joe and Pam Bryant “for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son.”
ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell reported fewer than 10 percent of the items initially planned for sale in “The Bryant Collection” with New Jersey’s Goldin Auctions now available. Bryant had become embroiled in a legal dispute with his parents as he tried to hold on to items his parents intended to sell.
“We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia,” Joe and Pamela Bryant said in the statement provided by a publicist. “We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years. We also apologize to Goldin Auctions for their inadvertent involvement in this matter and thank them for their assistance.”
In a federal courtroom in Santa Ana on May 13, judge Andrew J. Guilford urged the two sides to settle the matter. In a previous affidavit, Bryant had said he never authorized his mother to sell anything, recounting a May 2 phone conversation with her to that effect.


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HOLOGRAPHIC SMARTPHONE ‘HYDROGEN ONE’
A new smartphones coming soon. The company named the US Red, known as the high quality digital cinema camera manufacturer. Red has started showing interest in the smartphone world. Recently, the company has announced a smartphone called ‘Hydrogen One’ premium. Its specialty will be ‘holographic display’. It’s a smart holographic phone.
Nanotechnology that can be used in a display of five decimals seven inches’ size, can easily be converted into holographic multimedia content, 3D contents of the content of existing TD quality. It will play interactive games. After the announcement of Red, the founder of the company Jim Jannard wrote in a forum post, there is no way to describe it as long as you do not see it. It is the us Red best creations. Our display is the technology that you have not seen before. It’s not both lencular (lenticular) like lanes. Many failed to create this display. us Red best creations.
The Red Authority has announced that they will use algorithms that can convert stereo sound into multi-dimensional audio. The specialty of the phone is the modular attachment. You can work with the Red Digital Camera with the phone. Red is planning to leave the Hydrogen One Smartphone market by 2018. At present, their website is getting the order. Aluminum frame price of the phone has started from 1 thousand 195 US dollars. Red announce the holographic smartphone price.
It has been suggested that the changes will be made after the phone has been given in advance. There may be more changes in the design of the phone. The Red Authority says that, since they are working on an improved display, they will not be able to fulfill the order of everyone while coming to the market. The company does not guarantee price again. Besides, the additional equipment needed by the phone will be delayed by the market.
The technology world around the Android operating system has already been encouraged. Because, it will be the world’s first holographic smartphone. Which will be able to display content through holographs.


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Read the article below.
Woodworking equipment. The distributor Gabbett Machinery is taken over.
Scm enters the Australian market and aims for 600 million euro.
Scm Group’s incorporation of Australian distributor Gabbett Machinery, announced at the AWISA trade show in Melbourne, is just the first in a series of “significant investments planned over the next 3-year period, which we hope will enable us to announce quarterly initiatives taking us into both new geographical areas to control our foreign sales networks, as well as technological areas aimed at expanding and extending our product offering” - says Andrea Aureli, CEO of Scm, the family-owned, pocket-sized multinational based in Rimini, the world’s second-largest market player (after Germany’s Homag) in the woodworking machinery niche, counting 3 production centres in Italy, 20 branches abroad, 3000 employees and a turnover which exceeded 0.5 billion euro in 2015, of which 90% export.
Since July, Scm, by incorporating the long-established Australian distributor and service operator Gabbett Machinery (5 branches and 55 employees throughout the Federation) has added a new building block to its planned acquisition of increasingly large shares of the world secondary wood processing market - worth 3.5 billion euro. “A market of which we control between 10 and 25 per cent according to countries, and in which we are growing at rates well exceeding our budget figures,” adds the CEO - a third-generation member of the Aureli family who, together with the Gemmani family, has run Scm since 1952.
After a 10 per cent increase in sales obtained last year, the Romagna-based group expects to close 2016 with a growth rate in excess of 15 per cent and with revenues close to 600 million euro. The dynamics foreseen for Asia and the Pacific are likely to recreate the booming scenario of 2015 (with +60% in the Woodworking Machinery division), “because thanks to our new direct local branch and the expansion of our product range, we expect to further promote our growth,” says Luigi De Vito, Director of the Scm Machinery Division. Today, the Australian market is worth around one hundred million euro in the field of woodworking technologies, a segment of which Scm now holds a 10 per cent share. “Our goal is making the most of our widespread presence in the Australian mainland, to also boost our high-tech materials (carbon fibre, plastic, light alloy) processing machinery business. These systems – adds Aureli – feature speed and tolerance values half-way between woodworking technologies and iron-working ones, and have helped us diversify both our product and our customer portfolios, and expand rapidly and with an excellent future outlook.”
To Scm this division is worth about 100 million euro and includes customers such as Tesla for the extra-light electric vehicle business or Boeing and Falcon for aviation.
Gabbett Machinery, after a two-decade long collaboration with its Rimini-based suppliers, changes its name today to Scm Group Australia (members of the Gabbett family will still be part of the board) and joins other recent additions to the Italian holding from Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and the American West Coast.
“We closed 2015 with a 56 million Ebitda figure, 17 million net income and no payables,” concludes the company’s CEO, who at the moment is ruling out the possibility of any stock market listing or capital contributions from minority investors. Scm bottom lines will allow it to continue investing autonomously not just on R&D (which absorbs 5 per cent of the turnover every year) but also on M&A – in order to acquire new market shares and new technologies.


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Princess Cruises has provided an update on refunds due to ongoing frustrations from guests who still have not received their refunds.
Princess Cruises Refund Update
Due to the ongoing suspension of operations, there is an unprecedented amount of refunds to process, not just by Princess Cruises but by many major cruise lines. With guests still waiting to receive their refunds, there have been frustrations due to the delays and in some cases anger towards the cruise line for not processing refunds more quickly.
Princess Cruises included in the update:
Although we can’t give a specific date as to when the refund will be received, please know that we’re working as hard as we can to get it to you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we do our very best during this extraordinary time.
As a result, Princess Cruises provided an update on what’s happening with refunds. This impacts guests who chose not to automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) and instead request a full refund.
Princess Cruises has so far completed 60% of the requested refunds but it remains a complex operation, which is one of the cruise line’s top priorities. Princess has stated it’s dealing with 13 different currencies and payment systems.
A significant amount of resources have gone into making sure guests get their refunds and Cruise Hive posted about this earlier in the month. The amount of staff dealing with refunds has been increased as well, in an effort to expedite the process.
The Future Cruise Credit (FCC) which guests can use to re-book a cruise at a later date is handled separately from just a regular refund and the cruise line has posted, it’s normal for these two options to be received at different times. Refunds may also be received in a series of payments rather than one lump sum. This could include one payment for purchased shore excursions, another one for the purchase of onboard packages, one for the return of port taxes and fees, and so on.
Princess Cruises has explained the process and it isn’t as simple as just a standard refund, such as a purchase from a single store. The complexity is the same for a Future Cruise Credit due to a number of extras that can go along with a cruise booking.
At the moment the cruise line has suspended cruise operations around the globe. Cruises out of Australia are cancelled through mid-September, and all sailings out of Vancouver and Seattle are cancelled in September and October. Also the Cruise Lines International Association recently announced that cruises from the U.S. will be suspended through September 15.


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It’s never been officially revealed how much Microsoft makes from Xbox Game Pass (the company has shifted away from revealed sales figures in recent years) but it seems like we may know how much revenue was made in 2021 thanks to a report out of Brazil.
Per Tweaktown, Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) published a document after approving the purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The document states that the entire Xbox operation generated an estimated $16.28 billion in 2021 while Xbox Game Pass earned an estimated $2.9 billion USD (3.9 billion CAD) in revenue, accounting for 17.8 percent of all revenue earned last year.
The sales figures do not indicate whether or not these numbers include sales of Game Pass for PC. In total, it is said that the Xbox Game Pass service has over 25 million subscribers.
Diving further into the report, we see estimates of other game subscription services including Nintendo Switch Online said to be earning $932 million USD (1.2 billion CAD) making up 10-20 percent of the market, EA Play (a service integrated into Game Pass) said to be earning $356 million USD ($490 million CAD).


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A growing number of large Web companies like Yahoo, Google and AOL and a menagerie of start-ups like Digg and Topix.net offer a comprehensive menu of news headlines that link to articles elsewhere online. These sites are called news aggregators, and though some have large audiences, the companies that run them have yet to figure out how to turn them into enduring businesses with unique identities.
Nevertheless, the search giant Google, whose Google News is among the largest news aggregators, announced a business based on those who chatter about the news. It is asking the people or companies mentioned in news articles to comment on those reports.
[…] Josh Cohen, the business product manager for Google News, said the feature is consistent with the company’s mission to bring as many news sources online as possible. He said the company would not edit any comments from sources.
Google characterized this as an experiment. Media professionals characterized it less charitably as an effort by engineers who do not understand the impracticalities of such a project on a large scale — for instance, how do you verify a source’s identity or screen for inaccurate statements? — and the potential sensory-deadening impact of long-winded statements.


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October 24, 2005 4:00 AM PDT
Separating myth from reality in ID theft
- Related Stories
Survey: ID theft hard to shake offJuly 26, 2005
Banks to share ID theft data with FTCJuly 6, 2005
Data leaks denting Web shoppers' confidenceJune 23, 2005
Credit card breach exposes 40 million accountsJune 17, 2005
Laptop theft puts data of 98,000 at riskMarch 29, 2005
Firms seek to reassure e-shoppers over securityFebruary 18, 2005
Study: Security fears daunt online shoppersFebruary 14, 2005
(continued from previous page)
spokeswoman for credit card company Visa USA. "You really are talking about a very small percentage of accounts that will ultimately result in fraud, which means very few consumers are impacted."
One reason for the persistent worrying over ID theft is the sheer numbers involved in many security lapses. Since February, more than 50 million personal records have been exposed in dozens of incidents, according to information compiled by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
The causes of the breaches include hacking, lost data backup tapes, dishonest insiders, lost or stolen computers, and exposure of data because it was not stored securely. But when the number of ID theft victims for this year is tallied, there won't likely be a clear link with the data breaches, Van Dyke said.
"I would be surprised if we see a strong correlation between some of these massive data breaches and individual fraud loss," the Javelin analyst said.
But not everyone agrees. "Almost half the victims don't know how their identity was stolen. It really is not possible for industry people to state conclusively that security breaches don't lead to identity theft," said Beth Givens, director at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. "ID theft is at epidemic proportions."
Pinpointing the problem
Another reason behind exaggerated fears is confusion over the term "identity theft" itself. "It really is a misnomer," Van Dyke said. An identity can't be stolen but can be used fraudulently, he explains; hence, experts prefer to use the term "identity fraud."
Within the definition of identity fraud, researchers distinguish between "existing account fraud," such as credit card fraud, and "new account fraud," where new accounts are established in the victim's name.
"I don't believe the incidents of true identity theft are as high as the general public might think," said Cheryl Charles, a senior director at BITS, a business strategy and technology group in the Financial Services Roundtable, which represents 100 of the largest U.S. financial institutions.
"The online environment is really pretty safe. Most identity fraud tends to occur in the paper environment," she said.
Having data fall off a truck does not typically result in a crime that costs someone money. "Even though the loss of data is a concern, it doesn't mean it will lead to actual identity theft," Charles said. "Just having access to the information does not mean somebody could succeed in committing identity fraud."
Perception, however, is reality for many people. So despite evidence of relative safety, nearly 80 percent of U.S. residents fear identity fraud, and that angst is keeping nearly half of registered U.S. voters from conducting business online, according to two separate surveys published over the summer.
And when ID fraud does occur, the consequences can be costly. In 2004, Javelin's research found that the average loss due to identity fraud was $5,686 per victim and in the more serious category of "new account fraud," $12,646.
Several years ago, identity fraud was labeled by the FTC as the fastest-growing crime in the United States. In a 2003 survey, the agency said 10.1 million U.S. residents had suffered from it in the previous 12 months, with $51.4 billion lost. In a follow-up study a year later, Javelin identified 9.3 million victims with $52.6 billion in losses.
Anecdotal evidence for 2005 shows that the numbers will stay flat, Van Dyke said. "The good news is that identity fraud is no longer the


text: Lightbulbs are inherently about function, not beauty. But British furniture designer Samuel Wilkinson has created a sinuous version that is as attractive as it is long-lasting. Just in from the U.K. this week, the 120-volt Plumen bulb ($29.95 at Future Perfect, 55 Great Jones St., nr. Bowery; 212-473-2500) has the same life span as a regular helix-shaped compact fluorescent light, and screws into any standard lamp. It just looks hotter doing it.


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MUSCAT, Sept 18 – In the first half of 2019, the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Oman increased by 42 per cent to around 64,000, as the country seeks to tap 150 million Chinese who frequently travel abroad. The number of Chinese coming to Oman has increased from 8,800 a few years ago to 44,000 in 2018. “By this year-end, Oman will be receiving around 70,000 to 80,000, Chinese tourists,” according to Salim Aday al Maamari, Director-General of Tourism Promotion. He said a series of initiatives including attempts to understand their specific requirements will be launched.
Maitha bint Saif al Mahrouqi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said the government has been trying to understand the needs of the source markets so that tour and travel operators in Oman are able to customise their products. Oman is not focusing on mass, but sustainable tourism development as the government continues to see tourism as one of the key non-oil sectors. Prof Marcus Lee Thong Yee, CEO of Welcome China, a consultant and organiser of the China Ready workshop, said that strategies should not focus on competing with other markets in the region, but promoting Oman as a niche market.
“The young Chinese tourists are looking for new markets every year, and Oman could be one among them in the coming years.” He said Oman should cater to these tourists by offering authentic Chinese restaurants and trained Chinese tour guides and translators as nearly 90 per cent of Chinese do not speak English. Marcus said that hotels catering to Chinese tourists should ensure that they offer free and fast Wi-Fi and a Chinese TV channel.
“Still many people in China do not know much about Oman and they keep asking whether it is a safe country or not as it is in the Middle East.
Oman has been ranked among the top 10 for safety and security and that should be promoted strongly across the globe through various platforms.” On the infrastructure front, he said the market should be prepared to offer 39,000 hotel beds, 40 hotels and 400 buses if Oman is to host a big convention or exhibition from China here. Oman offers unsponsored tourist visas to Chinese tourists.


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Most of the growth will be from the OLED TV market - which will grow from $400 million (2014) to over $9 billion in 2022. DisplaySearch previously stated that they believe that the falling prices of LCD TVs make it very difficult for OLED TVs to penetrate the market.
In 2015, DisplaySearch sees 260 million AMOLED panels produced (up from around 200 million in both 2013 and 2014). The growth trend is expected to accelerate starting in 2016.
It is interesting to see that DisplaySearch sees a rather small $23 billion market in 2022. In their flexible OLED forecasts, they see a $20 billion flexible OLED market in 2021. So it's not clear how in 2022 the whole AMOLED market (flexible and rigid) will reach only $23 billion.


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Yukon announces COVID-19 aid for tourism operators, restaurants, non-profits
Funding will help businesses 'survive through winter,' government says
Yukon's tourism minister announced $1.3 million in aid for tourism businesses and non-profits on Monday, saying they want to help struggling operators survive the winter.
Tourism Minister Jeanie McLean announced "non-accommodation" businesses can get $20,000 per month, for a maximum of $60,000. Tourism operators, as well as food and beverage establishments, are eligible if they rely on visitors for at least 60 per cent of their profits.
The territory also earmarked $300,000 for culture and tourism non-profit organizations. Non-profits that are projecting 10 per cent deficits can receive up to $20,000 each.
The funding will help businesses "survive through winter" and break even, said a government press release.
"We are not through the pandemic yet," Maclean said.
She estimated up to 60 businesses could be eligible for the funding, which totals $1 million.
Yukon's tourism sector has been battered by low visitor numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the territory recently ended the Yukon-B.C. "bubble," which allowed visitors to travel freely between the two regions.
Tourism association applauds announcement
Neil Hartling, chair of the Tourism Industry Association, said he was pleased with the announcement.
"This should bring everybody up to a sustainable, survivable level," he told CBC News.
Hartling said some businesses were "falling through the cracks" with previous funding packages that mainly covered fixed costs.
There are 400 tourism businesses in Yukon, he said, employing 4,000 people.
Hartling estimated that less than 10 percent of Yukon businesses have closed during the pandemic, while a number have chosen to "hibernate" until conditions improve.
The Yukon Bureau of Statistics last looked at the impact of COVID-19 on business in May, but they're expected to publish an update Wednesday.
Opposition party critiques 60% threshold
The announcement drew criticism from the opposition Yukon Party.
Leader Currie Dixon questioned the plans for the rest of the $15 million in funding, and accused the government of "trickling out" funding for political purposes.
Dixon also said it seemed "arbitrary" and "difficult" for businesses to calculate whether 60 per cent of their revenue comes from tourism.
"Given the fact there are zero tourists coming to the territory, and so few Yukoners are going out themselves for dinner or going out for a drink and patronizing these businesses, they're facing a real challenge," Dixon said.
"We think that's an odd stipulation. And we'd like to know how the minister arrived at that inclusion and that amount."
The government says the funds announced Monday are part of a total $15 million in promised tourism relief over three years. Most of that funding has yet to be announced.
In October the government announced $2.88 million for hotels and other accommodation businesses.
In order to qualify for the newly-announced relief, businesses must have maxed-out their eligibility in Yukon Business Relief Program and CanNor's Northern Business Relief Fund.
A third party will administer the funding for non-profits, the government says.
Written by Laura Howells, with files from Philippe Morin


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These iOS 13 features will have you racing to update your iPhone on Sept. 19
BY CHRIS OSTERNDORF Second star to the right, and straight to embarrassment everybody! Because Marnie Michaels is playing Peter Pan. More specifically, Allison Williams will be playing Peter Pan, as NBC announced this week. Williams joins Christopher Walken, who is set to portray Captain Hook in a one night live revival of the classic 1954 […]
Netflix lands exclusive streaming rights to ‘Seinfeld’
The streaming giant is filling an 'Office'-sized hole.
© The Daily Dot, all rights reserved. Represented by Complex Media, Inc. for advertising sales.


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© Scanfil Electronics Production | May 01, 2019
Scanfil went through an expectedly challenging first quarter
Demand during the first quarter was at a low level as expected. Turnover stood at EUR 129.9 million, showing a decrease of 7% from the previous year.
However, the company says that there were no signs of any general decrease in customer demand. Instead, the decrease in sales was highly customer-specific, resulting from low demand among a few significant customers. Therefore, sales in the Consumer Applications and Communication segments decreased clearly from the previous year, while sales within other customer segments were stable or developed positively. The operating profit during the first quarter was EUR 6.8 million, comprising 5.3% of turnover. The operating profit decreased by EUR 3.5 million from the previous year due to a lower turnover and a partially unfavorable product mix. Net cash flow from operations and Scanfil’s equity ratio developed positively during the first quarter. At the end of the quarter, Scanfil’s equity ratio was 46.3% and net gearing was 30.8%. "During the beginning of the year we invested, for example, in an electronics assembly line at the Malmö plant in order to respond to expected increases in demand. During the past three years, we have more than tripled our electronics manufacturing capacity at the Malmö plant, supported by growing customer needs. We continued our investments in improved productivity and in automated production and material handling," says Petteri Jokitalo. Mr. Jokitalo continues and says that customer demand is picking up, and that Scanfil expects the second quarter to be much stronger, both in terms of turnover and operating profit. "I am confident that we will reach our operational and financial goals set for this year. We will renew our guidance for 2019, and we expect our turnover for 2019 to be EUR 560–610 million and our operating profit to be EUR 36–41 million," Mr. Jokitalo says. Financial Development The Group’s turnover for January – March was EUR 129.9 (139.6) million, decrease of 7.0% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The Consumer Applications customer segment showed a particular decrease as its turnover fell by EUR 12.7 million, or 35.1%. This decrease resulted from a change in demand for a single customer’s products. The Group’s operating profit for January – March was EUR 6.8 (10.3) million, 5.3% (7.4%) of turnover. Operating profit decreased 33.4% compared the corresponding period of the previous year. The decrease in the operating profit mainly resulted from the decrease in turnover. The net profit for the review period was EUR 4.8 (7.6) million.
dSPACE adds West Coast office Simulation and validation specialist dSPACE has opened a Silicon Valley office in San Jose, California as part of its strategic realignment.
Cogiscan, BasiCAE form strategic partnership Quebec-based Cogiscan Inc. has announced a partnership with China’s BasiCAE Technology, a provider of traditional shop control systems and software customization services.
Korea hits new record of industrial robots in operation The World Robotics report presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows a new record stock of about 300,000 operational industrial robots in the Republic of Korea in 2018 (+10%).
Keytronic starts production at its new Vietnam facility Keytronic Corporation says it has started shipping product from its new Da Nang, Vietnam manufacturing facility.
USI's looking to accelerate expansion - acquires Asteelflash It looks like we’re ending 2019 with a bang. One of the worlds biggest EMS providers wants to acquire one of Europe’s largest electronics manufacturers.
Devon manufacturer adds capabilities in Dorset via acqusition Devon-based PCB manufacturer, EuroTech Group, is acquiring PCB manufacturer Lyncolec, based in Poole, Dorset.
Kyocera and TactoTek collaborate on IMSE solution Kyocera and TactoTek has singed a marketing agreement which aims to bring IMSE solutions to several new market segments, including industrial and automotive components, electronic devices, and more.
IPC: Unanimous approval of USMCA needed IPC issued a statement this week expressing support of the recently bi-partisan approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and a strong desire for legislative approval by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Nordson's CFO to retire in 2020 after 30 years with the company Nordson's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Gregory A. Thaxton, plans to retire in 2020 after thirty successful years with the company, with the last 12 years as CFO.
KUKA restructures subdivision due to economic uncertainty KUKA is restructuring a subdivision in the Robotics segment that is responsible for automated manufacturing solutions such as cells and special machines.
PCB industry recovers slightly in Q3 PCB manufacturers in the D/A/CH region were able to increase sales sequentially in the third quarter of 2019 by 1.1%. However, sales figures are 11% lower than those recorded for the third quarter of 2018, reports the industry association ZVEI PCB and Electronic Systems.
Garz & Fricke moves into new HQ in Hamburg-Harburg Garz & Fricke GmbH continues to expand. As of late October, the business operations of the HMI and Panel PC specialist will be transferring to the new headquarters in in Hamburg-Harburg.
TF Massif Technologies taps new CEO British Columbia-based TF Massif Technologies has announced the appointment of Tom Peregoodoff as the company’s new chief executive officer.
DoJ: Google, Fitbit deal under review The U.S. Justice Department is looking into anti-trust issues concerning Google's bid to buy Fitbit Inc.
L3Harris Tech secures U.S. Marine Corps order L3Harris Technologies received a USD 50 million follow-on delivery order for Falcon III AN/PRC-160 HF radios and related equipment from the U.S. Marine Corps .
Metair completes Romanian lithium-Ion battery cell factory South African energy storage company, Metair Investments, says that its Romanian units Prime Batteries and Rombat have completed the installation of the group's first Lithium-Ion battery cell manufacturing and assembly facility in Bucharest, Romania.
£5m award marks ‘topping out’ of Cardiff research powerhouse An GBP 80 million Cardiff University powerhouse for Welsh scientific research has been ‘topped out’ by Bouygues UK – backed by over GBP5 million support from Welsh Government and industrial partners.
Advanced Energy expands with new lab near Frankfurt Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. has opened its Advanced Materials Processing (AMP) Showcase Lab near Frankfurt, Germany.
TTM Technologies unveils NY engineering center On the heels of its acquisition of manufacturing and IP assets from i3 Electronics Inc., TTM Technologies has announced the opening of a new engineering center in Binghamton, NY.
EU Commission to support pan-European battery development Seven member states will provide, in the coming years, up to EUR 3.2 billion in funding to support research and innovation in the common European priority area of batteries.
The pulse of the electronics industry Growth is slowing worldwide and the industry’s outlook is less optimistic than in previous quarters, although it is still generally positive, according to the results of IPC’s fourth-quarter 2019 Pulse of the Electronics Industry survey.
Teradyne delivers J750 semiconductor test system to Ardentec Teradyne has hit a milestone with the 6,000th shipment of the J750 family of semiconductor testers.
Season Group names new SvP for global business development Season Group has appointed Stephen Tsao as the company's new Senior Vice President, Global Business Development.
Zestron appoints new sales director Europe Mr. Adam Meinert recently joined ZESTRON as the Sales Director of Europe.Load more news


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The builders may have bounced, but that doesn’t mean that is time to buy them either–not by a long shot.
In fact, here’s what two of the nation’s biggest homebuilders had to say this week as their losses mounted.
They lost $0.56 a share in the first quarter as revenues plunged 62%.
In their press release, Stuart Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lennar Corporation, said:
“Market conditions have remained challenged and continued to deteriorate throughout our first quarter of 2008. The housing industry continues to be impacted by an unfavorable supply and demand relationship, which restricts the volume of new home sales and, concurrently, depresses home prices in most markets across the country.”
“Home inventories have been expanding due to the high number of foreclosures, negotiated ‘short sales,’ and stretched homeowners looking to sell homes they can no longer afford. While sales are occurring and clearing prices are being reached, the pace of overall housing inventory growth is exceeding absorption at the current time.”
“Concurrently, lower consumer confidence has quieted demand among prospective homebuyers and deterred them from a buying decision, while contraction in the lending markets has reduced the availability of credit for those prospective homebuyers that do wish to buy a home.”
Then there were the comments from KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger.
Earlier today he said:
“Our industry continues to confront a growing oversupply of new and resale homes, tight mortgage lending conditions and a highly competitive pricing environment. These conditions drove down sale prices and further compressed margins in the first quarter of 2008, prompting us to recognize additional impairment charges and abandon certain land option contracts that no longer made financial sense. Until prices stabilize and consumer confidence returns, we believe inventory levels will remain significantly out of balance with demand. We do not anticipate meaningful improvement in these conditions in the near term, as it is likely to take some time for the market to absorb the current excess housing supply and for consumer confidence to improve.“
Mezger’s company meanwhile, lost $ 3.42 a share in the first quarter as sales at his company’s dropped by 43%.
So I ask you. Are these companies anywhere near bottom?
Or should they be left on the “value rack” where they belong?
The answer seems pretty simple to me.


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SFM Mexico– Surface Finishing Exposition Mexico
Do not miss the opportunity to interact with hundreds of expert professionals in specialties of galvanizing, anodizing, electrolytic coatings, powder coating, E-coat, organic finishing and all kind of surface finishing, in order to create and consolidate business opportunities in the markets with the greatest projection.
March 25 – 26 2020
The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) works year-round to grow and shape the future of surface technology and its vital role in the supply chain. SUR/FIN 2020 held a variety of events and sessions to educate the industry and unite manufacturers, developers and suppliers of finishing technology, hardware, content, delivery systems and more.
June 15 – 17, 2020
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
FABTECH brings a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Las Vegas. More than 48,000 attendees and over 1,900 exhibiting companies are expected to gather once again to celebrate metal manufacturing at its best. The event also provides educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.
November 18 -20, 2020
Las Vegas Convention Center


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September 5, 2012
The identification codes for one million Apple iPhones and iPads are now online courtesy of hackers associated with Anonymous, the group who, purportedly, pilfered the information from an FBI agent’s laptop.
The FBI, however, is denying allegations they ever had any data, let alone information on 12 million iOS devices, as the hackers claim.
A hacker, under the umbrella of AntiSec – a 14-month-old joint operation of Anonymous and LulzSec – posted a file to Pastebin Monday containing links to roughly one million Apple unique device identifiers (UDIDs).
The post alleged that the hackers gained access to the Dell laptop of FBI special agent Christopher Stangl in March of this year. Stangl, according to news reports, works at the New York field office and has been instrumental in the FBI’s cybersecurity recruitment efforts.
FBI officials said Tuesday the bureau never asked for, and never possessed the database AntiSec posted on Pastebin. They also said that the authenticity of the data that AntiSec released could not be verified.
The hacker said “a list of 12,367,232 Apple iOS devices including Unique Device Identifiers (UDID), user names, name of device, type of device, Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) tokens, zip codes, cellphone numbers, addresses, etc.” were harvested by exploiting a Java vulnerability on the agent’s laptop.
The anonymous poster said although the original file contained more than 12 million devices “we decided a million would be enough to release” to draw attention to the FBI’s alleged tracking of Apple customers.
“We trimmed out other personal data as, full names, cell numbers, addresses, zip codes, etc.,” the post said. “Not all devices have the same amount of personal data linked. Some devices contained a lot of info, others no more than zip codes …
“In this case it’s too late for those concerned owners on the list,” the post continued. “We think it’s the right moment to release this knowing that Apple is looking for alternatives for those UDID currently … We never liked the concept of UDIDs since the beginning indeed. Really bad decision from Apple.”
All iOS devices have a UDID to allow developers and mobile advertising networks to follow user behavior. Apple has said it has, over the past number of months, been phasing out the access to UDIDs because the numbers could be broadcast to third parties without the users’ permission.


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Posts for June, 2006
Panda Software Labs today announced its discovered a data theft scam using a new variant of the Briz Trojan, creating a malicious software network monitoring 2,700 computers across more than 120 countries, stealing personal information including bank data and passwords.
The creators of the network have been distributing Briz.I from various Web sites, mostly related with illegal or pornographic content, Panda says. The company is working with other security firms to identify and close down each of the poisonous Web sites and prevent the threat from spreading.
Briz.I infiltrates infected systems under the name “iexplore.exe,” simulating an Internet Explorer process. Once on the system, it downloads a file that sends information – including the IP address or country of the infected computer – to the attacker’s Web site. Another of its components integrates with Internet Explorer, capturing all of the information users enter in online forms, such as e-mail passwords or data used to access online banking services. This malware allows the computer to be used as a gateway to connect to other Web pages while masking the identity of the attacker, who can remotely access files on the local computer.
Briz.I is designed to run unnoticed by users and covers its tracks after each feature carries out it's job. It also modifies a computer's files to stop users from accessing security company Web sites and disables the Windows firewall.
Most people are cautious when it comes to trying new ways of accessing digital content, and they are pretty satisfied with current ways of accessing digital video, according to Ipsos, a market research firm. America's entertainment consumers consider emerging technologies like downloading video from the Internet as potential additions and not replacements for current ways they view entertainment, according a recent survey. Only a minority is open to bleeding-edge ways of accessing digital video over the Internet. For example, only 7% of those surveyed expected to increase the amount of time spent watching movies "on the Internet," and 6% expected to spend more time viewing them on iPods and other portable players. Meanwhile, 43% expect the amount of time spent watching DVDs they rent or own to rise.
The MidwestLan is about two weeks away, running from 10 a.m. June 24 through 10 a.m. June 25 at the community and senior center in Darien, Wis. The event will have loads of PC gaming tournaments and the hardcore competition that such throwdowns evoke. This is a bring-your-own-computer event -- $25 at the door. As of now, it looks like the matches will include Battlefield 2, Dawn of War, FEAR and Unreal Tournament. Sweet...
The Business Software Alliance, a trade group representing software firms, has launched a Web site where visitors can report situations in which they've bought illegal pirated software. The Alliance says the site is designed to raise awareness about online fraud and encourage people to submit their own stories of how they were tricked into buying pirated software online. Last year the Alliance shut down more than 16,000 auctions offering pirated products, most of which were on eBay, the group says in a statement. A global software piracy study conducted by IDC in May found 21% of software in the United States is unlicensed. In 2005, the U.S. lost $6.9 billion because of software piracy.
The new BlackBerry has a slimmer, narrower design that makes it look more like a phone but includes integrated wireless high-speed access to e-mail, text messaging, the Web, a personal digital organizer and other programs. It also uses RIM’s SureType technology that melds a telephone keypad and a QWERTY keyboard into the slim design of a traditional mobile phone. Other features include smart dialing, conference calling, speed dial, call forwarding, polyphonic and MP3 ring tones, speakerphone and Bluetooth support for wireless compatibility with hands-free headsets and car kits.
Spymac today announced its new Spymac Galleries, a photo and video sharing service that lets visitors post photos, movies and music online for free and then discuss their creations with friends and other community members. The service is available for Mac and Windows, allowing users to upload up to 3 gigabytes of multimedia files via the site's new “Spymac Disk” technology, which has a drag-and-drop interface. An extra 9 gigabytes of online storage and other services are available to Spymac Club members for an annual fee of $25 a year. Those subscribers can share or embed their photos and videos in their own or other’s blogs, auctions and Web pages.
Microsoft has announced a new line of "next-generation" computer cameras called LifeCams that the company claims are designed to provide "groundbreaking video and audio quality." The first two cameras in the series, the VX-6000 and the VX-3000, include a Windows Live Messenger call button to make it easier to place video calls over the Internet to friends on a buddy list.
The VX-6000 is a 5-megapixel camera (for still photos) that also takes high-definition video at 1.3 megapixels. Its 71 degree angle lens (with a 3x zoom) provides enough room for 3 people to join into an online video chat. The VX-3000 takes still photos at 1.3 megapixels and records video 640 x 480 pixels.
Both cameras have noise-canceling microphones to filter out the background, and they both have video effect features, including snowflakes and stars, to sparkle up video chats. The VX-6000 will cost $100, and the VX-3000 will cost $50 starting in August.
Activision, Best Buy and the Global Gaming League announced today they are recruiting gold-level members of Microsoft's Xbox Live gaming service for the Call of Duty 2 Xbox 360 online gaming tournament. Now through June 16, players can register to compete for a chance to win a 2006 Jeep Wrangler, Best Buy Gift Cards and other prizes.
Alltel and Atom Entertainment today announced a new contest asking people to send in original short films taken with their video cell phones featuring their family and friends. The goal of the contest is to promote a new calling plan, and 10 entries will be selected on the basis of best interpretation of the calling plan's "circle worthy" theme, artistic technique and production quality. Each finalist wins $1,000 and will have their short films posted on AtomFilms. The public can vote for their favorites between Aug. 15 and Aug. 28, and the grand prize winner of $5,000 will be announced on Sept. 19. The deadline for submissions is 2 a.m. July 10.
Sprint and Interscope Records have announced the Sprint Music Series, several "made-for-mobile studio sessions" available on Sprint's video service. The series will have a mix of popular and emerging artists, including Busta Rhymes, Dashboard Confessional, Keane, Mobb Deep, Olivia, Robin Thicke and Wolfmother. Each show will have special audio and video of the artist or group in an up-close, "unfiltered" performance of three to four songs, as well as an intimate interview. The series began Friday with a session from Dashboard Confessional and will continue every Friday this summer for a total of nine. The shows will be free for all Sprint PCS Vision and Power Vision customers who have multimedia phones and data plans.
id Software has announced the dates, location and "bring-your-own-computer" area registration details for QuakeCon 2006: the event will be Aug. 3 to 6 in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in the Trinity Exhibition Center. There are only 1,800 spots in the competition, and the event includes workshops, exhibitors, parties and the public's first chance to play Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. Online registration is first-come, first-served and begins 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Toshiba today unveiled its first widescreen Tablet PC, the Tecra M7. The company claims its the world's first Tablet PC to use a 14.1-inch diagonal widescreen WXGA+ display. The screen supports the digital ink feature in tablets to transform documents, spreadsheets and presentations into digital paper so you can use your own hand writing to enter data. It weighs less than 6 pounds and includes Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology running at 1.83 gigzhertz; Wi-Fi connectivity and delivers up to four hours of battery life. It starts at $1,600.
The FUSIC phone looks, feels and plays like a portable music player and can download songs wirelessly, according to LG, which says it's the first mobile phone in the U.S. with an FM transmitter for listening to music through a radio or car stereo. The phone, available from Sprint ($300), also has a microSD port, a ring tone composer, Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera & camcorder and supports interchangeable faceplates.
The launch party guest list included Janet Jackson, Dem Franchize Boyz, DJ AM, Jamie Foxx, Missy Elliot, Shaquille O’Neal and Jessica Alba.
Wizards of the Coast today announced its first Dungeons & Dragons fan film contest, a chance for fans to immortalize their perspectives on the game experience. The grand prize-winner gets a new computer, video editing software, a video camera and a Dungeons & Dragons "Year of the Dragons" gift pack that includes a limited-edition Colossal Red Dragon and D&D Chess Set.
Contestants are asked to create a film no longer than five minutes and submit it to the contest Web site by Sept. 1. All eligible films will be posted at Gamevideos.com on or about Sept. 15, when fans can vote for their favorites until Sept. 30. The top 10 films will advance to the final judging, where a panel of celebrity fans, members of the independent film community and game developers will determine the final three. These will be screened in Los Angeles at the Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day, when the grand prize winner will be crowned.
Vonage today announced the Vonage V-Phone, a portable USB flash drive device with preloaded software and a 2.5 mm stereo earpiece and microphone that lets users make VoIP calls from any Internet connected computer. The V-Phone costs $40 with an additional $9 activation fee; 500 minutes cost $15. Unlimited residential use costs $25, and unlimited business access costs $35.


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Riata Capital Group, a Dallas-based private investment firm, has partnered with Alan Shor to invest in high-growth, specialty retail and multi-channel consumer companies.
Shor is co-founder and president of The Retail Connection, a real estate advisory, management, and investment firm that represents over 275 retail and restaurant chains.
Shor brings more than 25 years of operating and real estate experience, knowledge and relationships in consumer and specialty retail businesses.
Prior to co-founding The Retail Connection, he served as president, COO and member of the board of directors of Zale Corporation, North America’s largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry.
Shor has been involved with several of the Riata principals’ past investments, including Teavana and European Wax Center.
Riata managing partner Barron Fletcher said: “Alan is a trusted partner who brings invaluable perspective and very strong operating capabilities to consumer-facing retail and service platforms. We have made multiple successful investments with Alan in the past, and we look forward to replicating that success again.”
Shor said: “My close relationship with the team at Riata Capital goes back many years. We have been very successful historically, and continue to see many compelling opportunities to invest in high-growth, specialty retail and multi-channel consumer companies. With the added talent and resources of The Retail Connection that can be made available to support our investment activities as needed, we are excited about our prospects going forward.”
Over the past two decades, Riata’s principals have investments that include Dollar Tree, Hibbett Sports, Lids, Moosejaw, Teavana, Walls Industries, The Children’s Place and Fragrance Outlet.


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CEOs are having a crisis of faith, according to a study released Friday by The Conference Board. “The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence,” which surveyed CEOs from mid-August to mid-September, found that their outlook on the economy and prospects for their businesses had grown distinctly gloomier—although in the second quarter of the year it had remained unchanged from the first quarter.
Now executives believe that current economic conditions have deteriorated from six months ago, with less than a third seeing any improvement. Within their own industries, only 38% find something to smile about, compared with 61% in the last quarter.
While capital spending plans have seen the touch of optimism—30% said they had increased capital outlays since the beginning of the year, compared to a mere 7% last year—they don’t seem to be banking on any improvement for a while: 22% anticipate bluer skies in the next six months, while 48% thought so last quarter.
If, on the other hand, you happen to be an employee, the weight of the world does not fall quite so heavily upon your shoulders. According to the SFN Group Employee Confidence Index, employees’ outlooks improved by 0.5 points to a rousing 48.7 in September. The index measures the confidence of workers in their personal employment situation and in the overall economic situation.


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Get your soil ready: It’s time for the 2020 spring plant sales
Well that was quick! Our warm, dry winter is pushing an early spring in Southern California, and plant sales are bursting out all over.
If you decide to plant in early March, be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to protect your tender seedlings if the nighttime temperature threatens to dip below 40. Cover the plants with a light row cover material or cut out the bottoms of empty milk jugs or cartons and use those to protect your plants; just remember to take them off in the morning so they don’t get overheated during the day.
One other note: unlike the last two years, we had relatively little winter rain so our gardens don’t have a reservoir of stored water. Thus, when you’re ready to plant, first fill your holes with water once or twice and then add your plants. Experts say that extra boost of deep water should encourage the roots to grow deeper into the soil, where they’ll be healthier and happier once the heat of summer arrives.
More questions? Most of these sales have gardening experts to help you. If we missed one of your favorite sales, email the details to firstname.lastname@example.org and it may be included in an upcoming Saturday section.
Orange County Cactus and Succulent Society Spring Sale and Show has been canceled. A new date has not been announced.. Occss.org
March 21 & March 24-27
Poppy Day at Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants has extended to number of days for its annual spring plant sale to reduce crowding. The nursery offers a 20% discount on all 4-inch California poppy plants and other spring native annuals from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 10459 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley. theodorepayne.org
Fullerton Arboretum’s annual “Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale” has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. A new date has not been announced. f Fullertonarboretum.org
Ocean View Farms 16th Tomato-bration
Ocean View Farms, a nonprofit community garden in West Los Angeles, has postponed its annual tomato-bration due to coronavirus concerns. A new date has not been announced. oceanviewfarms.net
Incredible Edibles at Los Angeles County Arboretum has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. A new date has not been announced. Arboretum.org
March 27-April 5
Orchids.com and Norman’s Orchid’s Spring Open House, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 11039 S. Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair. Various orchid lectures every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. orchids.com
Grow Native Nursery Spring Plant Sale at California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden) has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns, rescheduled for April 2-5 (see below). calbg.org
Grow Native Spring Plant Sale at California Botanic Garden is canceled due to coronavirus stay-at-home restrictions, however the nursery’s native plants can be purchased online starting March 26 with a 10% discount for general public or 15% discount for garden members. Purchased plants can be picked up by appointment in the garden parking lot. The garden is requiring a minimum purchase of five plants or a total of at least $50 to make online purchases. calbg.org
Fullerton Arboretum’s Green Scene Plant & Garden Expo has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. No decision has been made about a new date; check the website for more information. fullertonarboretum.org
South Coast Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
Bromeliad Spring Sale by the South Bay Bromeliad Associates has been canceled due to Covid-10 stay-at-home rules. . bsi.org/webpages/sbba/
South Coast Botanic Garden Plant Sale & Spring Festival has been canceled due to Covid-19 stay-at-home restrictions.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens Annual Spring Plant Sale has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. A new date has not been announced.
It's a date
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During its Online Summer Festival livestream, Idea Factory International made multiple announcements. The Neptunia and Senran Kagura spin-off and Death end re;Quest 2’s Switch version are heading west, while Mary Skelter FInale gets a release date.
Tagged: Mary Skelter
Idea Factory International announced a western release for Mary Skelter Finale. The dungeon-crawler will launch for PS4 and Switch this fall.
Developer Compile Heart provided a new Japanese story trailer for Mary Skelter Finale. The dungeon-crawler releases in Japan this week.
Compile Heart released a new trailer for Mary Skelter Finale, showing many members of the game’s large cast. The game is set to hit Japan this November.
Compile Heart has delayed the Japanese release of Mary Skelter Finale. The dungeon-crawler will now launch for PS4 and Switch in November.
A new seven-minute trailer is out for Mary Skelter Finale. Compile Heart’s dungeon-crawling RPG will launch in Japan in October.
Compile Heart released the opening movies for the upcoming Mary Skelter Finale. The developer also introduced some new and returning characters in the game, which launches in Japan this October.
Compile Heart has pushed back the release of Mary Skelter Finale in Japan. The game will now launch in October.
Compile Heart has revealed three more characters appearing in Mary Skelter Finale. The developer also revealed details about the combat system that will be familiar to those who played the previous titles.
The finale to the Mary Skelter series launches in Japan this August. Compile Heart revealed that it will come with a feature to ensure new players are all caught up with what happened in the previous entries.
After a large wave of fans requested it, more copies of Mary Skelter 2 are getting physical editions printed. The game is now available for preorder on the Limited Run Games website.
Compile Heart provided some media and details for the recently-announced Mary Skelter Finale. The game will have six main protagonists and see its characters split off into different parties.
The third part of Compile Heart’s jailbreak drama has been announced. The protagonists get out of the flames and into the fire as they encounter the Genocide Pink group of girl executioners.
Mary Skelter 2 is applying a nightmarish touch to dungeon crawling on Nintendo Switch. Is it worth the bad dreams to plumb the depths of these labyrinths?
With Mary Skelter 2 launching next week, Idea Factory International has put out some new media. In addition to a gameplay trailer, there are some more screenshots showing dungeons and dialogue.
Compile Heart has released more information for its upcoming dungeon-crawler Mary Skelter 2. The info details new game modes and gameplay features.
Mary Skelter 2 is getting a physical release for the Nintendo Switch. The physical version will be available in November, but those unwilling to wait can opt for a mid-October digital release.
Idea Factory International has provided some more details and screenshots for Mary Skelter 2. The information covers some of the character-related systems in the upcoming dungeon-crawler.
Idea Factory International has released the opening movie for dungeon-crawler Mary Skelter 2. There are also new screenshots and details for the game’s combat system ahead of its launch this October.
Idea Factory International has announced the release date for Mary Skelter 2. The dungeon-crawler will be coming to Switch this October, with the first game coming with it.


text: UTStarcom announced earlier today that it will sell its Personal Communications Division to a part of AIG Vantage Capital for approximately $240 million plus $50 million based on a three-year earn out provision. UTStarcom states in its news release that it is focusing more of its efforts on its core IP-based product offerings and the PCD business will be cordoned off as its own standalone company. The new company will be known as Personal Communications Devices (Still PCD, get it?) and will be taking over UTStarcom's mobile device distribution, though UTStarcom's handset business unit will continue to design and provide handsets and accessories for PCD to distribute. Sounds like consumers won't see too much of a change as far as UTStarcom handsets go, but it'll be interesting to see how the future of the company's devices shape out now that the two divisions are separate.


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Contact: Jackie Reau
Note to media: To request a full report or to email Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA, please contact Jackie Reau.
Sports ETA releases its “State of the Industry” Report for the $91.8 Billion Sport Tourism Industry
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (May 3, 2022) – Sports ETA, the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, released its annual State of the Industry Report for 2021 resulting in the sports tourism sector’s direct spending impact of $39.7 billion which generated a total economic impact of $91.8 billion, supporting 635,000 full-time and part-time jobs and generating $12.9 billion in taxes.
The association’s last research report, “2019 State of the Sports Tourism Industry Report in America presented by the Sports Events and Tourism Association in partnership with the Northstar Meetings Group” was released in 2020 to benchmark 2019, and concluded that U.S. sports-related travelers, event organizers and venues spent a total of $45.1 billion in 2019, an increase of over five percent from the previous year. Those travelers generated $103.3 billion in direct, indirect and induced business sales.
The study was led by Dr. Jennifer Stoll, who leads research efforts for Sports ETA, in partnership with Northstar Meetings Group, the leading multi-platform brand for dedicated meeting and business planners and sports event organizers, and the presenting sponsor of the association’s “Annual State of the Industry” research report.
The analysis draws on the following data sources to quantify sports tourism, which includes adult and youth amateur events and collegiate tournaments (The economic impact analyses conducted within the report exclude professional sports and collegiate regular-season games.):
- Sports ETA: destination membership survey data
- Longwoods International: traveler survey data, including spending and visitor profile characteristics for sports tourism nationwide
- Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics: employment and wage data, by industry
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics: U.S. domestic average itinerary fares
- U.S. Travel Association: domestic travel data
- STR: lodging data
- Sports attendance data
“Our annual State of the Industry report shows that the sport tourism industry has an economic impact of $91.8 Billion supporting 635,000 jobs in our member communities across America,” said Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA.
Additional major findings in the 2021 State of the Industry Report include:
- In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled or delayed sports events across the country and those events that took place had fewer spectators per participant. Ultimately, the number of sports travelers decreased 46.5% year-over-year to 96 million in 2020. The sector rebounded quickly in 2021 increasing 82.0% year-over-year. The 175 million sports travelers in 2021 was only 2.6% lower than the high-water mark established in 2019.
- Sports travelers, event organizers, and venues spent $9.7 billion on transportation, $8.4 billion on lodging, and $7.5 billion on food and beverages. Recreation, retail, and tournament operations rounded out spending, registering $5.3 billion, $5.0 billion, and $3.7 billion, respectively. The lodging sector accounted for 21% of all sports-related travel spending. In 2021, sports-related travel generated 66.5 million room nights, which is an important factor given that hotel taxes are a primary funding source for many entities.
View the 2021 State of the Industry Report.
About Sports ETA:
As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 600 member organizations and 2,500 sports event professionals. We promise to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members and to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry. For more information, visit SportsETA.org.


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Have you noticed the volume of mail you receive has been steadily declining? Well, even if you haven’t, the United States Postal Service certainly has, and it’s forcing them in to making some tough decisions about the future.
The Postal Service says that it expects mail volume to fall from an all time high of 213 billion pieces of mail in 2006 to a projected 170 billion in 2010. This reduction in volume is for all of the reasons one could easily suspect such as people paying bills online, no longer sending birthday cards or anniversary cards in the mail, even some people are now asking for RSVPs to weddings to be done online as opposed to the old method of including a pre-stamped envelope.
To combat this reduction in volume, the service is taking some extreme measures to try to stem the financial loss. According to The Washington Post, the most visible of these steps is the removal of hundreds of thousands of under performing drop off boxes around the country. Any drop box that is receiving less than 25 pieces of mail a day has been marked for removal and will either be stored in a warehouse or sold off for scrap. Some of the other things that are being done is a consolidation of routes and a reduction in the number of hours some offices are open, hiring and raise freezes. The biggest change may come after postal officials go before congress next month to ask for home delivery to be reduced form six days a week to five, a tactic that has been mentioned for decades, but it has never been successful.
One of the new approaches that are being taken to try to reduce cost as a major push to get more people to print postage and mail items from their homes as opposed to using drop boxes or going to various post offices.
Will the postal service go away? Doubtful, but you may continue to see a reduction in services as the entity continues to tighten its belt in the face of the modern Internet age.


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Majid Al Futtaim has announced a strategic partnership with Poltrona Frau, a century-old Italian luxury furniture brand. As part of the deal, the company acquired the rights to Poltrona Frau products in the UAE.
Founded in Turin, Italy in 1912, the company is known for its 21-step tanning process that creates durable, long-lasting leather products.
The brand’s leadership in world leather production led to the coining of the term “Poltrona Frau leather”. His handiwork has been featured in world-class museums, hotels, theaters, embassies, travel halls, airline interiors, as well as custom upholstery for automotive giants such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Land Rover.
With this strategic development, the prestigious Italian brand will see a new chapter of growth. The Italian brand currently has 15 flagship stores, 165 single-brand stores and around 280 multi-brand stores across five continents.
The company’s revenue rose 20 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, driven by strong growth in the brand’s residential units and a strong recovery in community projects.
Upcoming plans for the brand
Fahed Ghanim, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, said: “This partnership supports our strategy of geographic and brand expansion at a time of double-digit year-on-year growth and aims to accelerate our journey to transform the customer experience in the region. with strategically demanding brands continuously looking for unique diversification opportunities to complement our existing portfolio. The partnership with Poltrona Frau is a testament to that pioneering spirit and we look forward to an exciting journey to build the brand’s market share.”
Tthe company will open a Poltrona Frau flagship showroom at the Mall of the Emirates later this year. In addition, the brand’s existing Jumeirah store will be inspired, expanded and transformed by the Poltrona Frau Via Manzoni showroom.
Nikola Koropoulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau The partnership is the first step in a journey to strengthen Poltrona Frau as a premium luxury lifestyle brand in the UAE and the Middle East, providing the most elite customers with exceptional home, office and public space solutions. about excellent quality and service.”
He added: “We believe that Majid Al Futtaim’s vast Lifestyle ecosystem, his ability to interpret the true spirit of the brand and ultimately their people will help us take Poltrona Frau to the next level and accelerate our growth strategy in the region.”
Suitable for further growth
Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is well suited to meet this expectation. The company has eight leading franchise brands, two homegrown brands, more than 70 stores and 18 online platforms across the GCC in fashion, home, multi-brand, retail and beauty. Over the past five years, the company has revamped its portfolio strategy and achieved milestones including year-over-year growth, double-digit growth, and more than $217 million in sales in 2022 alone.
With the acquisition of new brands and an ambitious plan until 2023, the company is well positioned to meet future demand using its growing portfolio and omni-channel capabilities, said Majid Al Futtaim, director of Lifestyle.
In recent news, Ahmed Galal Ismail Majid has been appointed as the CEO of Al Futtaim Holding. He replaces Alain Beijani, who held the position for eight years.
Read: Majid Al Futtaim Holding appoints new CEO


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Huawei, which rose rapidly to become the world's third largest smartphone maker, is aiming to narrow the gap with leaders Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics.
Amit Singhal, who was hired in January, did not disclose the allegations when Uber hired him, nor were they revealed by reference checks, a Uber spokeswoman said.
Lee Jae-Yong is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park's to secure policy favours.
In past years, the trade fair was the scene of major Samsung launches. This year, Samsung postponed the presentation of its next major handset.
Nokia 3310, known for its robustness, was the most widely used feature phone globally in 2000-05. It is estimated to have sold 126 million units globally when there were only a few countries with mobile networks.
Launched in 2000, Nokia's original 3310 sold nearly 120 million units worldwide before it was discontinued in 2005, making it one of the world's best-selling mobile phones.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook had done a "terrific job," Buffett said, but added he had not bought shares since the company's earnings report.
The embarrassing mix-up saw the Oscar incorrectly given to musical "La La Land" before the actual winner, coming-of-age drama "Moonlight," was finally handed the prize.
The deal between Aramco and Malaysia's Petronas for the $27 billion project will be signed on Tuesday, the prime minister said.
Nokia presented three new Android smartphones and showcased a revamped version of its iconic 3310 model more than a decade after it was phased out.
The Galaxy Tab S3 and the Galaxy Book were presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, in past years the scene of major Samsung launches.
"When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients," Warren Buffett said in his annual letter to shareholders.
The octogenarian monarch, who has overseen the launch of an ambitious economic reform plan since his accession two years ago, is expected to visit Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China.
Globally, shares of most of the 25 largest technology IPOs have languished in their first 12 months on the public market, with 16 of them notching a hefty decline from their debut day closing price, according to a Reuters analysis of market performance.
The drop in global oil prices by about half since 2014 left the kingdom with a huge budget deficit and billions of dollars in debt to private firms, chiefly in the construction business.
Mr Buffett believes most stock investors are better off with low-cost index funds than paying higher fees to managers who often underperform. He told Fortune magazine he expects to write "a lot" about passive investing.
The offshoring picture is also more complex than official statistics indicate as a shuttered factory in the United States does not always mean a new factory abroad.
The minutes of the January 31-February 1 discussion, at which the central bank voted to keep rates unchanged, also showed the depth of uncertainty at the Fed because of a lack of clarity on the new Trump administration's economic program.
Penny-pinching diners and intense competition from supermarkets, meal kit sellers like Blue Apron and upstart grocers such as Amazon.com have been a growing problem for restaurants.


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The high-end world of fashion, full of elaborate couture creations and luxe lifestyles, may seem like an unlikely place in which to look for the next great rapper, but that’s exactly what Sean “Diddy” Combs did for his upcoming album “Last Train to Paris.”
The rapper formerly known as Puff Daddy (and Puffy and P. Diddy), invited several fashion bigwigs, including the famously icy Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour herself to be part of the record, according to Vogue editor André Leon Talley’s article on Vogue’s website.
Wintour, according to the Daily News, is heard at the start of the second track introducing the song, saying “This is Anna Wintour from Vogue magazine, you are now listening to the Last Train to Paris.”
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“This album features the voices of some of the most influential fashion personalities, including Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, and Tommy Hilfiger, their voices in between songs,” writes Talley. “For my part, I recited words by James Baldwin, and Diddy respected it enough to leave it intact.


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- Organized retail crime is rising in Wichita, Kansas, according to a report by CNN.
- Rising drug use in the area is leading to a surge in shoplifting, local crime officials say.
- Items being targeted include Lego sets, jewelry, beauty products, and Tide detergent.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach told CNN that it was a "spiraling problem" in the state that left both store employees and the general public "frustrated."
"To see this much retail crime, it's shocking," Captain Casey Slaughter, who leads Wichita Police Department's property crimes bureau, told CNN.
Retail crime is rising across the US. Organized retail crime at retailers was 26.5% higher in 2021 than in the previous year, according to a study by the National Retail Federation. Target said organized retail crime has led to more than $400 million in profit losses in 2022. Cities including San Francisco have seen a huge exodus of retailers, in part due to concerns about crime.
It's a problem in Wichita, too. Retail theft in the city in 2023 so far is up 35% over the five-year average, Slaughter told CNN.
Slaughter said that thieves were "basically taking anything that can be quickly carried out of the store," and would often sell them on online marketplaces or at small stores afterwards. He said that the most stolen items reported by retailers included expensive clothing and footwear, Lego sets, jewelry, beauty products, sporting goods, power tools, and Tide detergent.
"Property crime is an emerging problem in Wichita," Joe Sullivan, Wichita's police chief, said at a Sedgwick County board of commissioners meeting in April. "I'm very concerned about the sudden rise in burglary and retail theft."
One of the city's Victoria's Secret stores loses around $30,000 a month to theft, the fourth-highest of the retailer's stores in the US, Sullivan said. He added that outdoor leisure retailer Cabela's said that its Wichita store was its worst for loss nationwide.
"There's a small number of people committing the vast majority of this large number of crimes," Sullivan said.
In Derby, a smaller city to the south of Wichita, retail crime is primarily from big box stores, the city's police chief Robert Lee said during an April meeting.
"What we see now is much more organized rings of shoplifters," Lee said. "We see them where they can more easily dispose of the property that they steal quickly: They don't have to go to pawn shops anymore, they just take care of it on social media and sell it that way, but we see them now much more likely to confront store employees, confront the police, and use extraordinary means to facilitate their escape. We see a lot of high-speed pursuits as results of shoplifts."
Local crime officials say that drugs, and in particular fentanyl, a synthetic drug like heroin but 50 times more potent, appear to be driving a lot of the retail crime. Drug-associated deaths by Sedgwick County residents increased by 91% from 2015 to 2020, according to county data, largely due to a sharp rise in opioid-associated deaths.
Actions retailers across the US have taken to reduce theft include putting tags on high-value items or storing them in locked cabinets, hiring more security guards, and, in the case of Home Depot, introducing power tools that won't work if thieves steal them.


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According to reports, the Ministry of Commerce, in accordance with the "Establishment Criteria for Electronic Commerce Model Enterprises (Trial Implementation)", has carefully reviewed auditing companies from the application materials of 155 companies that have been received, resulting in 83 companies as e-commerce of the Ministry of Commerce. Model enterprises. The move aims to promote the healthy and rapid development of e-commerce, which is conducive to innovative business models, lower business costs, and integrate business resources. It will certainly play a role in improving the consumer environment, expanding consumer channels, expanding consumer scale, stimulating entrepreneurial employment, and adjusting economic structure. Positive and powerful promotion. This time, Yinghuang Business Technology Co., Ltd., which was rated as an e-commerce model enterprise, is the largest golf service operator in China. By tapping its 1872 website, it can book up to 200 cities in China, such as Beijing and Shanghai. Many golf courses.
According to reports, the Changsha High-tech Zone currently has well-known e-commerce brands such as China Mobile E-commerce Base, Tuowei Information, Baixin Mobile Phone Network, Yujiahui, Yunhai Engineering, and Gaoyang Tonglian. Since this year, the financial support system for e-commerce industry development has been further improved. Increased investment in the introduction of e-commerce companies, Wowo Group, Gome Cooper and other national e-commerce companies have also invested in the area, including Wowo Group Chief Sand Company's 2010 sales reached 30 million yuan. Up to now, more than 100 e-commerce companies have been introduced in the region, and it is expected that this year's transaction volume will be 2.5 billion to 3 billion yuan.
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According to Nielsen SoundScan, four artists have broken the digital track sales record set last year (2008) by Rihanna who sold 9.9 million tracks. Of course, the year is far from over, with respect to sales.
Year-to-date, Michael Jackson leads track sales for 2009 having sold 11.3 million. Lady Gaga fans have purchased 11.1 million tracks and Black Eyed Peas (BEP) have also shattered last year’s record with 10.3 million tracks. Fourth on the list of top selling track artists is Taylor Swift who has sold 9.98 million tracks YTD and will surely break Rihanna’s 2008 record next week.
SoundScan expects that total tracks sold will pass the one billion mark next week. Currently we are at 998.3 million tracks. The 2008 full year record of 65 million digital album sales will also be smashed next week. Currently digital album sales total 63.9 million.