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Experts believe a wider spat with Europe would be much more damaging than the current tit-for-tat with China.Traderead more
After the Fed released minutes of its last meeting, the bond market signaled it fears the Fed will not be aggressive enough with its rate cutting.Market Insiderread more
The Fed minutes also note that "a couple" members wanted a 50 basis point cut, based primarily on the weak inflation readings.The Fedread more
Markets pay particular attention to Italy's spending, given its public debt pile. This stands at above 130% of its growth rate, one of the highest in the world.Politicsread more
Flight bookings to Hong Kong have fallen 10%, hit by the unrest in the city, said Alan Joyce, the chief executive of Australian carrier Qantas Airways.Airlinesread more
Analysts generally doubt how effective the People Bank of China's latest interest rate announcement will be in significantly helping businesses grow.China Economyread more
These in-demand skills can command top pay packets, says Feon Ang of professional networking site LinkedIn.Get Aheadread more
Japanese manufacturing activity shrank for a fourth straight month in August as export orders fell at a sharper pace.Asia Marketsread more
The Washington governor had centered his campaign around climate change, calling it "the most urgent challenge of our time."Politicsread more
The inversion is seen by many veteran traders as an important recession omen, though the timing on the eventual downturn is less predictable.Bondsread more
Here's what Nordstrom reported for its fiscal second-quarter earnings.Retailread more
Nike will raise salaries for more than 7,000 employees and change how it awards annual bonuses to its global staff in an attempt to address concerns about pay equity and corporate culture, CNBC has learned.
The company decided to overhaul its compensation practices after conducting an internal review of its pay practices earlier this year. Nike said about 10 percent of its employees — both men and women — will receive adjustments to their pay to ensure equal and competitive compensation for the same job functions around the world, according to an internal memo reviewed by CNBC.
"With movement of internal talent, and the demands of a dynamic market, we analyze pay each year. This year, we have conducted a deeper analysis of all roles, at all levels globally," the memo said. The company said its benefits program is designed to "support a culture in which employees feel included and empowered."
The company said bonuses will now be based on company-wide performance instead of a combination that also included team and individual performance, beginning in fiscal year 2019.
Dow Jones was the first to report on the changes.
Like several other companies in the U.S., Nike got caught in its own #MeToo movement this spring after a group of women circulated an informal survey that examined disparities in pay and advancement at the Oregon company. Several senior male employees resigned. In May, Nike CEO Mark Parker apologized to employees for cultivating a corporate culture that excluded some of its employees and did not take complaints about conduct seriously.
Changes to compensation are just the latest attempt from Nike to improve its corporate culture for women. Nike appointed Amy Montagne as vice president and general manager of global categories and Kellie Leonard as its new chief of diversity and inclusion.
In its latest quarter, Nike said it saw a "return to growth in North America, " which has lately been a sluggish spot for sales following a handful of retail bankruptcies. A slew of new product launches have also helped boost revenues overseas.
The company has, meanwhile, been making a bigger push with women's sneakers and apparel of late. This comes as sales of high heels have tumbled, with female shoppers increasingly opting for athleisure wear over fancy dresses. Despite its #MeToo blunders, Nike hasn't seen much pushback from women nor a dip in sales. Instead, the company is doing even more to win women over.
Nike is also heavily focused on beefing up its own e-commerce platform and owned stores to sell more directly to consumers. It recently opened a new shop on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, California, for example, where it plans to sell products that are chosen by local shoppers via the NikePlus app.
Nike shares are trading up from session lows of $76.13, but still down 0.33 percent from Friday's close.
—CNBC's Sara Eisen contributed to this report.


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Russia's biggest search site Yandex has asked the European Commission to investigate Google's Android practices in the European Union.
Might break free of Qualcomm
Search engine and mobile phone operating system maker Google is thinking of getting into the chipmaking business.
Buy us a nice sticky bun instead
Google has told EU antitrust regulators' that it is jolly unfair that they are considering a hefty fine against the search outfit and they should consider other penalties.
Service ready in two years
Online search outfit Google is pressing ahead with glorious two year plan to create a drone service.
Android won the war
Search engine Google looks set to scrap its Chrome OS and replace it with a consolidated version of Android that runs on PCs.
The US, Canada, UK, Ireland, India, Korea and Japan
While the Google Nexus 6P was available from day one, those looking for a smaller 5.2-inch Nexus 5X had and might still have to wait a bit as it has just launched in select key markets.
Not as fragmented as you think
Android is famously fragmented but it appears that the problem might not be as bad as claimed.
All it cost was Bing
Software king of the world Microsoft has worked out a clever way to get its Windows 10 accepted in Tsar Putin's Russia without much trouble.

domain: news


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During Friday’s panel, Smackdown: Consumer Privacy vs. Advertiser Revenue, panelist Jordan Mitchell was asked who owns data collected in cookies. Towing the industry line, Mitchell responded, “The user, obviously. But you don’t know what it’s tied to in some back-end database. Users should have total control over that and legitimate companies agree with that.”
The problem that the panel keeps coming back to is unscrupulous marketers that don’t disclose how they use your data, where and how it is stored, and whether or not they’re selling it to third and fourth parties. The issue is being discussed on a Federal level but as panelist Jay Habegger notes, “Marketers that behave badly with privacy probably won’t follow Federal regulations.” And that serves to tarnish those companies that are acting under the law.
Of course there are larger companies wrapped into this issue as well, like Google. One of the more interesting cases revolves around the White House’s use of embedded video on their site (which began last year) and the problem it caused for some users. ie their data was made public to Google, somewhat unwittingly. As CNET reported, the administration fixed the problem — but if even Google and the White House are having issues, imagine the thousands of lesser known entities facing the same. Without a looking glass trained on them, the aforementioned “unscrupulous” marketers may not feel pressure to conform.
More SXSWi “GSD&M Has 35 ‘SXSurrogates’ at the Conference“


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Bowmore celebrates The Art of Time
Islay Scotch whisky Bowmore has created a new global campaign to celebrate more than 240 years of the brand’s history, called The Art of Time.
The Art of Time will launch in October covering traditional media, social media and digital commerce platforms, including still and dynamic content, secondary imagery and a set of key visuals. The campaign will also feature retail displays and window displays for whisky specialists, department stores and events.
The campaign aims to depict how Bowmore whiskies benefit from ‘the power of time’ as they mature. Bowmore was founded in 1779.
Céline Daniel, global marketing manager at Bowmore, said: “This is the first time we will be exploring Bowmore’s history and craftsmanship with such depth and with such consistency at a global level.
“We believe that Bowmore is a work of art and our understanding and respect for time is central to how and why we craft our whisky. With this campaign, we will show how Bowmore uses time to transform our celebrated single malt into a true masterpiece.
“By drawing inspiration from the black rocks surrounding our distillery, we are also paying homage to the way time has shaped not only our whisky, but also Islay itself.”
Last month, Bowmore revealed a partnership with luxury car maker Aston Martin. Together, they created a £50,000 (US$66,000) whisky, called Black Bowmore DB5 1964.


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Nortek Security & Control and Core Brands today announced a merger (something that they should have done YEARS ago) that combines the two companies. It’s a logical merger as the smart home and security markets have been merged into one for almost eight years now.
The combined company, operating as Nortek Security & Control (NSC), is going to be headed by Mike O’Neal.
“The combination of NSC and Core Brands helps us serve our customers with an unparalleled suite of solutions for the residential and commercial control, security, entertainment, access and personal wellness markets.” NSC President Mike O’Neal said today. “Joe Roberts and I share a strong commitment to our customers, which will guide the innovation we develop into our products, services and programs.”
Nortek reported that Core Brands former president, Joe Roberts, will assume responsibility for driving product vision across the combined company as Executive Vice President of Marketing & Innovation for the new NSC. “The market is demanding a broader range of solutions that work better together across product categories, and this is a major focus of our innovation. In particular, our 2GIG and ELAN integration creates opportunities that perfectly address the connected smart home market and the evolving needs of our customers.”


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In a recent Business Insider article, it was reported that Mexico emerged as the leading source of goods imported into the US in 2023, surpassing China for the first time since 2020. This development signals a notable shift in global commerce dynamics amid ongoing tensions between the US and China. While this milestone underscores Mexico’s rising prominence as a trade partner with the US, its implications for Mexican companies warrant closer examination.
The concept of near-shoring, which involves relocating manufacturing operations closer to end markets, is reshaping international trade practices. Unlike traditional offshoring, near-shoring prioritizes simplified supply chains and heightened market responsiveness. This approach is gaining traction as global trade patterns evolve. Kreim Kfurii, President of The Altas Network, notes that China is actively embracing this trend by expanding its manufacturing footprint into countries like Mexico. Rather than signaling a retreat in manufacturing dominance, this strategic move reflects a necessary adjustment to evolving market dynamics.
The shift toward near-shoring offers numerous advantages that extend beyond geographical convenience. By situating production facilities closer to consumer markets, businesses can significantly reduce lead times, facilitating faster delivery of goods and enabling prompt responses to market demands. This logistical efficiency supports leaner inventory models, thereby reducing costs and risks associated with excess stockpiles.
Moreover, near-shoring enhances supply chain control, quality management, and risk mitigation, while potentially lowering logistical expenses. The cultural and regulatory similarities between near-shore countries foster smoother operations and collaborative efforts. Through the establishment of manufacturing hubs in these regions, China shares its expertise, technology, and production capabilities, driving economic growth, job creation, and industrial advancement in countries like Mexico.
The recent merger of CP Rail and Kansas City Southern into CPKC heralds the creation of the first transnational rail network in North America. This development has significant implications, as shipments from China can now be routed directly to Mexico, where value-added processes can be applied. Subsequently, these products can be transported via rail from Mexican railyards, such as Lazaro Cardenas, to destinations across the US and Canada.
As businesses increasingly adopt near-shoring strategies, there arises a pressing need to reassess their supply chain architecture. Canaan Group maintains partner offices throughout Mexico, including Mexico City, Veracruz, Guadalajara, Laredo-Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana, and more. This extensive presence positions us to offer comprehensive support for your business needs. Whether it’s optimizing supply chain operations or navigating the complexities of international trade, our team stands ready to provide tailored solutions to drive your success.


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UPDATE: The story has been killed by Agency France-Presse due to errors in the exchange rate.You may be still be able to buy a burger at somewhat affordable prices, but it doesn't negate the fact that Venezuela is in a death spiral thanks to socialism.
How bad is inflation in Venezuela? The country’s disastrous dalliance with lefty-economic theories has not only led to hospitals lacking basic medical supplies, like soap, food, and electricity, but burgers that now cost $170. Need a place to stay in Venezuela (though I don’t know why you would visit in the first place)? No problem—it’ll only cost you $6,900 a night (via AFP):
If a visitor to Venezuela is unfortunate enough to pay for anything with a foreign credit card, the eye-watering cost might suggest they were in a city pricier than Tokyo or Zurich.
A hamburger sold for 1,700 Venezuelan bolivares is $170, or a 69,000-bolivar hotel room is $6,900 a night, based on the official rate of 10 bolivares for $1.
But of course no merchant is pricing at the official rate imposed under currency controls. It's the black market rate of 1,000 bolivares per dollar that's applied.
But for Venezuelans paid in hyperinflation-hit bolivares, and living in an economy relying on mostly imported goods or raw materials, conditions are unthinkably expensive.
Even for the middle class, most of it sliding into poverty, hamburgers and hotels are out-of-reach excesses.
"Everybody is knocked low," Michael Leal, a 34-year-old manager of an eyewear store in Caracas, told AFP. "We can't breathe."
- Shuttered stores -
In Chacao, a middle-class neighborhood in the capital, office workers lined up outside a nut store to buy the cheapest lunch they could afford. Nearby restaurants were all but empty.
Superficially it looked like the center of any other major Latin American city: skyscrapers, dense traffic, pedestrians in short sleeves bustling along the sidewalks.
But look closely and you can see the economic malaise. Many stores, particularly those that sold electronics, were shuttered. "It's horrible now," said Marta Gonzalez, the 69-year-old manager of a corner beauty products store.
The Agence French-Presse added that for most middle class families, a simple trip to the movie theater is now a luxury item that’s not affordable, as some are trying to live on $35/month.


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Nielsen, under a multiyear deal with WPP's Kantar Media, will incorporate set-top box data from about 100,000 DirecTV households into local TV ratings.
Nielsen said it has developed a proprietary, hybrid methodology for the U.S. market that combines the research firm's National People Meter panel data with set-top box and other sources of data for markets that currently rely on diary-based measurement.
In a test last summer, Nielsen interpolated set-top data from Charter Communications in three markets into local TV ratings (for St. Louis, Greenville, S.C., and Reno, Nev.). According to Nielsen, the set-top data eliminated between 50% and 90% of the variability for ratings in a diary market.
Kantar Media's DirectView service provides live and time-shifted information -- with second-by-second commercial ratings -- from 100,000 national DirecTV households projectable to 17 million households.
"DirectView is one of many sources of data Nielsen is incorporating in our efforts to provide higher-quality local TV audience measurement," Steve Hasker, president of Nielsen Media Products & Advertiser Solutions, said in a statement. "Our innovative approach to enhance local TV measurement addresses the technological limitations of using set-top box data alone, and we expect it will provide valuable benefits to local TV markets."
Nielsen did not indicate what other sources it intends to add into local TV ratings, nor did it indicate how many local markets the DirecTV data will be applied to. Other companies that sell local audience measurement include Rentrak and TiVo.
In e-mailed comments, Nielsen senior vice president of product leadership Pat Dineen said the company's policy is to only discuss relationships "that have been mutually agreed upon for disclosure in the press. We have relationships with every major provider of return-path data, and we cannot comment on the nature of each one."
As for which markets Nielsen will use the DirecTV data, Dineen said Nielsen expects to use it in diary markets, "but we're early in the process. Our next steps are to procure more set-top box data, continue to work with clients and work internally to secure the resources to accomplish this."
Nielsen said it selected Kantar's DirectView service because it is one of the largest set-top box data sets in the U.S.
Kantar also is working with Charter to integrate set-top return-path data in markets beyond Los Angeles, including suburban Boston, Hartford, Conn., Birmingham, Ala., Stockton/Sacramento, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas.


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PCMR names new director of marketing
Moving to your favorite vacation destination for a job you’ve only dreamt of may seem unrealistic.
But, according to Matt Gebo, Park City Mountain Resort’s new director of marketing and communications, he’s doing exactly that.
“This is my dream job, to be marketing director for a top resort in the country,” Gebo said in an interview with The Park Record. “I have a lot of connections and friends that live in Park City. I’ve lived in Park City before and since moving away, it has been my favorite place to visit.”
Effective in April, Gebo will assume responsibility for the development and management of all brand marketing and communications efforts for the resort.
Gebo brings over 15 years of experience to his new role. Currently he is wrapping things up at Mount Snow in Vermont, where he holds the director of marketing and communications position. He has also filled marketing roles at Mammoth Mountain in California and Canyons Resort. During his three-year tenure at Canyons, Gebo claims he fell in love with the area and has been trying to get back ever since.
Gebo who specializes in branding, guest segmentation and loyalty, and digital marketing, was an easy selection for the job according to Jenni Smith, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort.
“Matt’s experience within the ski industry and passion for the sport made him the perfect fit for this position,” Smith said in a recent press release sent to The Park Record. “He will help continue the growth of the Park City Mountain Resort brand and maintain its position as one of the top resorts in North America.”
A passionate skier, Gebo was raised skiing on the East Coast. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.
“Now it’s just a matter of getting in town and going to work with the team,” Gebo said. “Once I have my feet wet, I can help continue to strengthen the brand and moving forward into new markets.”
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Summit County’s vaccine logistics chief outlines the county’s plans for a mass vaccination campaign this spring.


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Payper Plates, a Southern drive-thru restaurant in Clemmons, has closed.
Payper Plates, at 2432 Lewisville-Clemmons Road, closed Dec. 13 and made an announcement on its Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that we have closed our doors at this location for good on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019,” Payper Plates said in the post. “We are looking to reopen in the future in a location that offers dine-in seating. Thank you for all of your support and great memories. It has been a pleasure to serve this community.”
Faye Simmons opened Payper Plates just this summer after a 20-year career with Biscuitville with the idea of offering Southern home cooking to busy families. It offered such plates as fried chicken and grilled pork chops with collards, pinto beans, cabbage and mac ‘n’ cheese.
Payper Plates was positioned on the main drag of Lewisville-Clemmons Road, surrounded by fast-food joints and sandwiched between Pizza Hut and Sam’s Ice Cream. It has been home to a string of short-lived restaurants in recent years, including Campfire Grill, Athena Greek Pita Express, JB’s Drive-Thru and Bread & Butter Drive-Thru.
Faye Simmons said by phone that business had dropped significantly this fall. “After school started, it just went dead. I felt like I was getting further in the hole,” she said.
Simmons said that people seemed to have trouble trying to figure out how to get to and from the restaurant. “We also did a survey and about 90% said they wish we had a sit-down,” she said.
Simmons does not have a new location yet, but she is looking. She said she would like to stay in Clemmons, but is looking in Winston-Salem, too.


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Elon Musk Is Still Weighing Options after Cancelling Bitcoin Payments Tesla suspended Bitcoin payments earlier this month, but its CEO, Elon Musk, is still considering cryptocurrency options.
Bitcoin Pizza Day 2021: What Events Were on the Menu This Year? Bitcoin Pizza Day takes place on May 22nd. Several events are lined up to commemorate the first-ever Bitcoin purchase.
A Guide to Day Trading Strategies for Beginner Investors Unlike other forms of trading, day trading is very demanding and yet it can be an extremely lucrative type of investment.
Trending Will Amazon’s Digital Currency Lead the Way to Crypto Adoption? Amazon’s rumored digital currency could be a precursor to crypto acceptance. Here's what to watch for as the commerce giant dives into crypto. May 06, 2021


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Endeavor Group will be selling a chunk of its stake in video game publisher Epic Games as part of a new round of fundraising for the company behind Fortnite, Deadline has confirmed.
Endeavor has been dogged by debt and struggling for cash as the coronavirus hits its diverse businesses hard, especially live events.
The sale could raise as much as $100 million, according to business website The Information.
Epic is trying to raise money in the current fundraising round at a valuation well above the $15 billion set at its last round, according to Bloomberg. That’s not surprising. Fortnite surpassed more than 350 million registered players since launch in 2017, Epic revealed earlier Wednesday, making it one of the biggest games ever. Players spent 3.2 bilion hours on it in April.
Endeavor will retain some of its stake.
Endeavor Group, whose portfolio includes talent agency WME and UFC, is open to selling non-core assets, particularly ones that will net a strong return.
Ratings agency S&P Global downgraded Endeavor last month due to high leverage, weak cash flow and concern that the company may possibly pursue a restructuring of its debt at some point. The big ratings agencies have been actively scrutinizing the media and entertainment business, which as been pummeled on multiple fronts by COVID-19, handing out high-profile downgrades to companies from Walt Disney to ViacomCBS parent National Amusements and CAA.
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The best games on PlayStation 3
The best games of 2015 so far…
To feed your Portal 2 anticipation, Valve has produced an online comic bridging the gap between the two games.
Portal 2: Lab Rat headlines
Portal 2: Lab Rat Latest
Portal 2: Lab Rat online comic to launch Friday


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The projected 23-24 percent contraction represents a fall to around 1,100,000 units in 2009 from an estimated total production units of 2008 at 1,400,000 units, or, valuing at around 700 billion baht (20 billion U.S. dollar).
Speaking after an urgent meeting of Thailand's Automotive Industry Club, senior officials from the sector said amid the falling auto sale in many other major countries, they are closely monitoring a potential in the large-sized market of China and India.
"China and India are not directly affected by the crisis, so they (the markets) are still large and seen to have potential. So we are closely looking at them," said Suparat Sirisuwanangkura, president of The Thai Auto Industry Association told Xinhua. Suparat is also Toyota Motor Thailand's executive vice president.
The meeting was organized by the Club with representatives from all of automotive companies to brainstorm and seek short-term and long-term measures to deal with impacts from the prevailingly global economic crisis.
The meeting has initially agreed to propose the government both of short- and long- term measures. On the short-term measures, the Club will propose a value-added tax cut to 4-5 percent from the current 7 percent, and a cut on individual income tax and corporate income tax to boost the domestic consumption, said Suparat.
Also, the government should speed up its budget spending and mega project investments for the public sector, he said.
Meanwhile, the government should encourage banks to ease lending rules for both of the corporate sector and individuals experiencing the liquidity crunch, they said.
The Club will work in details for all of the measures and expects to propose to the government at the end of January, adding that the layoff will be the last thing, they will do.
The auto industry is the main sector in Thailand as many foreign auto firms have based their production plants, with export to over 100 countries around the world.
For 2009, if the auto sale falls to 1,100,000 units, the market worth will contract to stand at around 500-600 billion baht (17.14billion U.S. dollar), according to Piengjai Kaewsuwan, chairman of the Automotive Industry Club.


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Exploring different realms of Minecraft is becoming ever more popular over the past few years. It was earlier this year that Mojang Studios announced a new action strategy title ‘Minecraft Legends’ which is slated to release sometime next year in 2023. Additionally, the live-action film is underway with Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) to direct and Jason Mamoa (Aquaman) to star in the movie.
Additionally, Minecraft Dungeons continues to deliver new content to its users just two years after its initial release. Rewinding back to spring this year, Mojang Studios officially launched the second content season for Minecraft Dungeons: Luminous Night. The update welcomed a new makeover as the night sky paints the game.
This week, Mojang Studios officially launches the third content season, Fauna Faire. You can watch the launch trailer in the video below:
“Experience a new, improved Tower that has been expanded from solo trial to a multiplayer adventure. This new format is all about collaboration, so make sure to build a tight-knit team with up to four players and put your synergy to the test! And if you need a bit of practice before you try to topple the Tower, head over to the Jungle Island to get some training (and new gear!) in the secluded Treetop Tangle mission.”
Minecraft Studios creative communications assistant Per Landin continues, “Every faire also has its own unique set of stands, and Fauna Faire is no different. Many players have heard rumors of the so-called “Enchantsmith”, and now, this cunning artisan has made a grand entrance to offer their services to the Heroes’ Camp. Re-roll gear properties for a chance to improve your enchantments!”
During Minecraft Live this week, Mojang Studios featured new additions on the way to the main game. In that, mobs camels and the sniffer are officially coming in Update 1.40. Atop of that, bamboo is to receive its own wood type including a bamboo raft. Other featured blocks include chiseled bookshelves and hanging signs. You can read the full report by heading here.
How excited are you for Fauna Faire for Minecraft Dungeons?
Minecraft Dungeons is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Source: Mojang Studios


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It has now been over 100 days since the Red Sea crisis. Important trade routes between Asia and Europe have been disrupted, posing billions of dollars of risk for India blocking rice trade and fuelling inflation, also destabilizing China's standing in the Middle East. Today we look at disruptions to global trade over time.
- 🌎 Trade Restrictions. 2,800 Global Trade Restrictions in 2022.
- 📚 Distance Education. 70+% of US private university enrollments are for distance education courses.
- 🌱 Soil Degradation. 63% of Soil lost from Farming and Grazing.
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🌎 2,800 Global Trade Restrictions in 2022
Global trade faced escalating challenges due to the pandemic, with restrictions almost doubling in 2020 and further climbing up to over 2,800 annual restrictions in 2022. Merchandise imports and exports saw the most annual restrictions at 2,033, followed by services at 573 and investments at 239. Additionally, supply chain disruptions, such as the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea, which has rerouted much of the ocean container traffic around Africa, are driving up costs, fueling geopolitical tensions, and impacting trade. While ports in Africa will benefit from increased cargo traffic in the short term, the combined effect of regulatory restrictions and supply chain disruptions diminishes net trade.
📚 70+% of US Private University Enrolments are for Distance Education Courses
Distance education (DE) has been growing since the beginning of the last decade and accelerated during the pandemic as a result of travel restrictions and social distancing rules impacting physical attendance at universities. DE and hybrid learning are most dominant in private, for-profit universities, with over 70% of students enrolling in those modalities of learning. However, public and private non-profit universities are seen to have a smaller proportion of such enrollments. Although students are returning to non-DE courses, the overall trend indicates a decline in non-distance education courses across all universities in the US.
🌱 63% of Soil Lost by Farming and Grazing
Agricultural practices and overgrazing are the leading reasons for soil degradation, owing to 63% of degradation worldwide. Overgrazing has impacted Oceania the most, causing 80% of soil degradation. While in North America, agricultural practices lead at 66%. However, there have been efforts to curtail soil degradation. One such effort is regenerative agriculture, which has been increasingly adopted by farmers, aiming to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and boost overall ecosystem resilience.
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Burnout Legends Speeds to Stores
You and your PSP are invited to crash -- hard.
Electronic Arts announced today that Burnout Legends, a portable version of Criterion's collision-happy arcade racing series, is now shipping for the PSP. Not only can players take Burnout action with them in modes like Crash, Road Rage, and Pursuit, but they can join others in multiplayer races via the PSP's WiFi connectivity.
Burnout Legends will also crash onto Nintendo DS systems in November -- stay tuned for more.


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On April 14, the FBI knowledgeable Apple of the safety defect in older types of iOS and OSX, its first weakness disclosure to Apple underneath the Weakness Stocks Procedure, reviews Reuters, stating data acquired immediately in the Cupertino business.
The Weakness Stocks Procedure enables national organizations to find out whether crucial safety defects ought to be held personal for police force use or revealed to businesses to permit them to area main weaknesses.
The security catch the FBI distributed to Apple pertained to older types of the iPhone and Mac and it had been set using the launch of iOS 9 and OSX El Capitan. It wasn’t the weakness which was used to interrupt in to the iPhone 5c utilized by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, which stays under systems.
Apple claims 80 percent of iPhones operate a secure model of iOS and aren’t susceptible to the safety flaw discussed from the FBI. Apple informed Reuters it generally does not have ideas to problem an area for that older, weak software.
Based On Reuters, the FBI was inspired to supply Apple with info on an older weakness adhering to a statement recommending it’d not make use of the Weakness Stocks Procedure to supply Apple using the technique used-to crack the San Bernardino iPhone.
your day next statement, the FBI provided details about the older weaknesses to Apple. The transfer might have been an attempt to exhibit that it can and does make use of the Whitehouse procedure and reveal coughing techniques when it may.
The drawback the FBI revealed to Apple this month did nothing to alter the Business’s notion the Whitehouse procedure is less efficient than continues to be stated, stated an Apple government who rejected to become called.
Earlier today, a study from The Wall Street Journal recommended the FBI has determined to not reveal the weakness used-to access the San Bernardino iPhone. FBI Director James Comey has insinuated the FBI can’t offer information on the coughing technique utilized on the iPhone since the safety flaw used is possessed with a personal organization.
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Digital bank account Anda, launched by Assembled Financial, is striving to help the Hispanic population boost wealth with a cryptocurrency-centered rewards program, LA Business Journal reported on Monday (Jan. 3).
Assembled Financial, a subsidiary of Assembled Brands launched in 2020, created Anda to deliver a digital solution for financial services that target the specific needs of the Hispanic community. The digital-only account is insured by the FDIC and centers on a loyalty program that rewards customers with Moves tokens when deposits are made.
“The Anda (bank account) kickstarts customers’ journey to financial freedom by creating a bridge between everyday banking and the frontier of cryptocurrency, managed in one app,” Assembled Financial CEO Michael Keeslar said.
Keeslar added that in the past 10 years of digital banking innovation, there hasn’t been a product aimed at Hispanics, which is the biggest minority group in the U.S. and expanding at a faster rate than any other ethnic classification.
He said that about 50% of the workforce at Assembled Financial is Hispanic and 80% are minorities. The company is headquartered in West Hollywood, California.
When Anda’s customers stake their Moves Tokens — which is the process of locking up their coins to support the blockchain network — they can double the number of tokens they receive in a year, according to the news outlet.
“Hispanics are eager to learn about and participate in the crypto economy,” Liz Sanchez, Assembled Financial chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “To support Hispanic individuals and communities in adapting to new financial technologies, Anda offers an easy-to-understand digital app with tools and resources.”
Anda’s deposit accounts are provided by MetaBank in South Dakota via a partnership with Assembled Financial.
You may also enjoy: Consumers Want to Buy Crypto, Spend Using Points From Rewards Programs


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After unveiling Android 11 in February 2020, Google released four developer beta versions of the newest Android operating system. Earlier this month, Google finally released the first public beta version of Android 11 for its Pixel lineup of devices. If you want to install it on your compatible Pixel smartphone, you can follow our simple tutorial.
Oppo Find X2 and Find X2 Pro Get Android 11 Beta and ColorOS 7.2 with the Latest Update: Here Is How to Install It
Following the release of the first public beta of the Android 11 operating system, Oppo had announced that it will offer the beta version of the Android 11 to the Find X2 and the Find X2 Pro smartphones. The brand, however, had not announced a release date of the Android 11-based software for these devices. Well, the day is finally here. Oppo has just released the Android 11 Preview Version (beta version) for the Find X2 and the Find X2 Pro smartphones.
Google has released the first public beta of Android 11. It is now available for Pixel smartphones, and it will soon be released to select phones from OnePlus, OPPO, POCO, Realme, and Xiaomi. The new version of Android brings various improvements, including visual changes, design improvements and tweaks, and performance improvements. Let us have a look at the five most important features of Android 11.
Google has finally released the first public beta version of Android 11. This new version of the operating system brings various new features and tweaks existing features to make them simpler to use. The company has focussed on making Android more efficient, secure, and easy to use. Let us have a look at all the new features and design changes that come with Android 11.
Google has just released the first public beta of Android 11 for Pixel phones. Now, OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi have announced their participation in the Android 11 beta program.
Earlier this month Google released Android 11 Developer Preview 2.1. This was more of a minor update based on Android 11 Developer Preview 2 and arrived with a bunch of bug fixes. Today Google has announced Developer Preview 3 for Android 11. The latest preview comes with five major changes including Tweaks to Android 11 exit reasons API which helps understand why and how the apps are exited.
Google’s Android Distribution chart used to tell us about what percentage of users are running the latest Android. Google had not updated the chart from the past one year and not it seems to have removed the chart from its location. The worst part is that Google has not given any explanations whatsoever.
Google had released Android 11 Developer Preview 2 last month. The Android 11 Developer Preview 2 arrived last month with new features including a hinge angle for foldable and Better Call-Screening. Google has now launched the Android 11 DP 2.1 and as expected the update squashes many bugs.
Google Releases Android 11 Developer Preview 2 with Hinge Angle for Foldables, Better Call-Screening, More
Google has finally launched the second Android 11 developer preview with support for new features for foldable phones and other improvements. The latest developer preview can be installed by downloading the device system image. If you are running the previous developer preview then you can choose to update via over-the-air.
Google usually releases a preview build of Android in the first half of every year to offer us an early look at things that it has been working. This year, the internet search giant unexpectedly released a really early preview of Android 11 last week. It is the earliest that Google has ever released a developer preview. We’ve had a chance to explore Android 11 and some of its interesting features.


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To celebrate its forthcoming membership of the oneworld® alliance from April 1 2007,
JAL is giving customers worldwide the chance to win one of 60 pairs of Global Explorer round-the-world tickets in the
‘JAL Joins oneworld Prize Contest’.
JAL together with Malev Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines will start offering
oneworld services and benefits from April 1, 2007 in the biggest expansion of the alliance
since its launch eight years ago. Five other members of the JAL Group will join
oneworld, the world’s leading multilateral airline alliance, alongside JAL on the same
day, as affiliates - JALways, Japan Asia Airways, JAL Express, J-AIR and Japan Transocean Air.
As a member of oneworld, JAL will be able further to strengthen the quality of its products and services, providing
customers with greater convenience, comfort, value and choice throughout the alliance’s comprehensive network which
serves more than 700 destinations in nearly 150 countries worldwide.


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Sen. Jibrin Barau, representing Kano South Senatorial District, has vowed that the Senate would stop at nothing to bring an end to the exorbitant charges by electricity companies in the country.
This cheating must stop - Senator Barau
Once you have that situation, those goods would not be marketable in the international market and that is why Nigeria has become a dumping ground because cheaper goods are being brought into the country.
Barau told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the electricity companies have continued to charge consumers fixed prices on electricity consumption, in spite of irregular power supply.
He noted that goods produced in the country had no competitive advantage in the international market because the high charges of electricity had led to high cost of production.
"The fact remains that people are not satisfied with the performance of the DISCOS and the whole power sector.
"People are not comfortable with the operation of that sector. I understand that one of the reasons why goods produced in this country are not competitive in the international market is because of the cost of production of the goods.
"So, it is something that has to be tackled, the rip-off is not acceptable and must stop,’’ he said.
The lawmaker decried what he described as a situation that had led Nigeria to become a dumping ground for substandard goods because they were cheaper.
"The reasons for this situation is the fact that the factors of production in respect of the goods produced in Nigeria are always very expensive, compared to products produced in any other part of the world.
"So, when any good is produced in Nigeria, it will have a competitive disadvantage compared to the goods produced in other parts of the world.
"Once you have that situation, those goods would not be marketable in the international market and that is why Nigeria has become a dumping ground because cheaper goods are being brought into the country.
He regretted that while Nigerians were contending with the challenge of irregular power supply, the hike in tariff had further compounded the problem.
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Differences in state laws and definitions enable title washing scams: Internet Scambusters #634 Hundreds of thousands of cars on our roads today may be hiding a secret past, concealed behind a scam known as title washing. At best, these vehicles could be worth a lot less than new owners paid for them; at worst, they […]
Limited-edition fashion items used as lure in sports memorabilia scams: Internet Scambusters #633 Sports memorabilia scams span a huge area, from phony autographs to fake or non-existent limited-edition fashion items. In this week’s issue, we explain how one basketball sneakers fan allegedly lost thousands of dollars to one of these tricksters. And we’ll tell you […]
Car parts buyers hoodwinked in “old-for-new” scam: Internet Scambusters #632 One of the problems with buying replacement items like car parts online is you have to trust that the seller will actually send what you paid for. But that doesn’t always happen, as we explain in this week’s Snippets issue. We also have details about […]
Internet offer to turn hundreds into thousands is nothing more than a money flipping scam: Internet Scambusters #631 Money flipping scams are rife on social networks right now, claiming that victims can make a fortune out of next to nothing by using a little-known trick in the financial system. But the real trick is convincing […]
Rogue tow truck operators could trick you into spending hundreds of dollars: Internet Scambusters #630 When your car breaks down or gets damaged in a road accident, the appearance of a tow truck just when you need it most can seem like a miracle. But if you or the police didn’t summon the truck, you […]
Snippets issue highlights latest variation of newspaper subscription scam: Internet Scambusters #629 We have an interesting new variation on the well-known newspaper/magazine subscription scam in this week’s issue: you actually get your subscription but pay through the nose for it. It’s a Snippets issue, so we also have a warning about doorstep scammers apparently soliciting […]
“Obamacare” Affordable Care Act used as a front for new rash of scams: Internet Scambusters #628 With open enrollment in full swing for signing up for qualified insurance plans under so-called “Obamacare” — the Affordable Care Act — scammers are frantically busy selling phony policies. They’re also posing as officials from the new Health Insurance […]
Cash-grabbing “hit-and-runs” are also on the rise among top scams in 2014 and 2015: Internet Scambusters #627 Find out about the top scams of 2014 and our predictions for 2015 in our annual Top 10 report in this week’s issue. We let you know which scams are moving up the charts and call for special […]
List of worst scams shows huge variety of crimes: Internet Scambusters #626 For the third successive year, we’re opening the Scambusters research files to show you some of the worst scams of 2014. They show that it doesn’t matter whether you’re the most vulnerable target or an expert who should know better — the con […]
Bogus high school diplomas are no shortcut to graduation: Internet Scambusters #625 There’s no shortcut to earning your high school diploma — and certainly not by paying for one on the Internet. In this week’s issue, we show how rogue diploma mills that churn out fake college degrees have started selling high school diplomas, too. […]
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Major Australian entertainment and casino group, the Star Entertainment Group, has announced that high-rolling business people from the district of Queensland have been responsible for having generated large revenue income boosts, despite the group having been very much focused on the new Gold Coast- and Brisbane-located projects.
The group has said that the massive boom in the Australian tourism market has brought about the strong revenue boost, and that this has been the prevailing situation ever since the beginning of the year. The number of VIP customers has also increased, indicating certain growth in the overall spending power of Australian nationals.
Star Entertainment Group is also currently in the process of developing its Queen’s Wharf project, which is situated in Brisbane. The development is expected to carry an increased fiscal demand, hiking the costs of operations from AU$1.8bn to AU$2.4bn.
The costs involved are all being spent on a major revamp to the existing development, which is expected to have a major transformation effect. Queens Wharf resort is situated in the central business district of Brisbane, which is now proving to have been a sterling and strategic move as far as revenue income is concerned. The group confirmed that revenue income had increased 16.4% in the period running from January to May.
More Amenities To Come
Matt Bekier, chief executive officer of Star Entertainment, has confirmed that first offers for the development of the first phase of Queens Wharf is expected to be released in June. He said that additional retail and restaurant areas are also planned for the resort as part of the new development. The foundation phase of the construction is expected to commence in 2019, with the visible aboveground construction scheduled to commence early in 2020.
Tourism The Main Driving Force
Bekier also confirmed that the total floor space occupied by the resort would be much bigger than initially planned, mainly due to the plans for the expanded dining and retail area. Bekier said that the plans for expansion and increased commitment reflect the confidence that the group has Australia, and more specifically, Queensland and Brisbane.
The increased number of tourists visiting Australia as well as the higher interstate migration has been cited as two of the main reasons for the boost to the local economy.
The group has also recently revealed that the construction of its Gold Coast casino’s new accommodation tower is expected to get underway as from August of this year.


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Jim Nevarde recently purchased the IPod from a San Diego-area Target for $293 including the warranty and wrapped it up for his wife. But when she opened it up Christmas morning, the box contained nothing but erasers and index cards.
“About five of them fit exactly in the space where the iPod goes,”
he said according to NewsNet5.com.
“It was a little strange. Obviously, somebody got in there and rewrapped it with shrink-wrap.”
Nevarde returned the not-iPod to a different Target on Thursday, expecting the employees to be skeptical about the claim. The Target employees did replace his iPod, but Nevarde had the clerk open the box before he left the store.
“Sure enough, it’s full of erasers,”
Nevarde told the station.
“Different color erasers but it’s full of erasers again.”
Eventually, store employees found an iPod box that actually contained an iPod. Nevarde said Target officials suspect a distributor is making the swap somewhere between the Apple factory and the store.


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The second wave of the coronavirus, just like a double blow, is leaving Vietnam’s tourism industry with a deep crisis.
Statistics obtained from some tourism authorities, as of August 17, around 90-95% of travel firms in HCMC had stopped operation while the number of re-opening hotels was dwindling quickly. In Khanh Hoa Province, hotels’ room occupancy dropped from 20% in July to only 2% in August. In Hanoi alone, 28,000 people working in the tourism sector lost their job.
“We are walking a tightrope,” said Vu The Binh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association when discussing about the volatile business environment amid the pandemic.
What Binh thought was shared by many other businesspeople. To survive the hard times when the current fast-changing business environment poses huge risks, business bosses and authorities have to undertake radical reforms. As long as it remains indifferent from the “new normal” which the entire society is adapting to, effectively coping with the pandemic will continue to be a hard task, or even infeasible.
The first thing to tackle relates to the management of destinations and the control over the number of tourists. Following the imposition of social-distancing measures, Vietnamese started traveling again in mid-May. Since mid-June when tourism service providers like carriers, hotels and travel firms offered the unprecedented promotions, the tourism sector saw a spike in tourist turnout.
A series of destinations were replete with tourists again. However, overloading came as an inevitable consequence and together with it were complaints from customers about service quality. What’s more, when the second attack of the coronavirus took place, tour operators had to deal with cancellations and delays while the transportation of tourists out of pandemic-affected regions was a hard nut to crack.
Tourists on their tours were not the reason behind the return of Covid-19. However, the more people gathered, the higher the risk of the coronavirus became. The crisis is therefore hard to defuse, leading to a bigger fallout.
According to Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the secretariat of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, luring as many tourists as possible to tourist spots should not be a priority for promoting the tourism sector after the pandemic. Travel firms and tourism destination management should take into account the imposition of a cap on the number of incoming tourists.
“Interrupted cash flow after a long time of hiatus forced travel firms to offer programs to lure as many tourists as possible,” said Chinh. “That is understandable. Yet the bigger the crowds to destinations are, the higher the risks they may take. Business may stop at any time because of an incident.”
The authorities should be in charge of controlling the number of tourists. Managers must figure out a safe accommodating capacity of a place to formulate appropriate policies. For those which can receive more visitors, free entrance and service discount should be applied. Otherwise, for venues which have already been too crowded, fee increase or visitor restriction should be the choice.
“The authorities concerned should work with travel firms on these policies,” Chinh said, adding that an effective control will help prevent tourist spots from overloading and ensuring the safety of tourists.
Furthermore, the “new normal” consists of Covid-19 infection control measures like wearing face masks, using hand sanitizer, imposing social distancing measures, etc. These rules must be imposed strictly at tourist sites. In fact, before the arrival of second wave of the deathly virus, safety measures had been neglected at some destinations. On the part of tourists, a lot of them traveled to more places comfortably and ignore the fact that the pandemic still existed.
Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel Group, said the “new normal” means health check—such as taking body temperature, wearing face masks and carrying out disinfection—or health declaration before flights are taken for granted.
Changes in how stimulation is conducted should also be taken into account. Although the first stimulus program after social distancing helped the aviation and tourism industries draw a significant number of tourists, the market began to derail. Plenty of tour operators provided deep discounts instead of focusing on the safety of tourists by improving quality services and offering new experiences.
Management authorities have aggravated the issue. They laid emphasis on price discounts considering them a key factor which was able to attract customers post-Covid-19. The truth is, however, despite the sharp rise in number of tourists after more than two months in which stimulus programs were run, business results were low or even negative.
“This time we must be extremely prudent,” said Dang Manh Phuoc, director of Outbox Consulting Services and Destinations Management Co.
What Phuoc meant is the next stimulus program will not be effective if travel firms are all in a race for discount. Instead, tour companies must build their plans in accordance with support policies from the State. In other words, the State ought to allocate its budget or develop policies on tourism promotion, helping travel firms address their crisis.
In this case, the management of destinations will play a leading role, and policymakers have to understand thoroughly the profile of the local tourism value chain to come up with appropriate policies. “For example, the discounting policy will not be effective in localities without attractive destinations,” Phuoc said.


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The chip supplier has enjoyed a solid run this year thanks to revenue and gross margin strength.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) today announced the acquisition of the Cyber Security Solutions (CSS) business of Sypris Electronics LLC.
Analog Devices (ADI) stock was advancing in pre-market trading after posting third-quarter earnings and revenue above projections.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI), today announced financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2016, which ended July 30, 2016.
Investors will need to be more patient until the chipmaker's $14.8-billion acquisition of rival Linear Technology is completed.
Analog Devices (ADI) is scheduled to post its 2016 fiscal third quarter results before Wednesday's market open.
The Federal Reserve will be the underlying current fueling market activity in the coming week as questions remain over when a rate hike might come next.
The manufacturer could place its motion-sensing gyros in lower-end phones as augmented reality apps take off.
Analysts expect Analog Devices (ADI) to report a drop in per-share earnings and revenue for the 2016 third quarter.
Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) today introduced the AD9164 D/A converter that brings high resolution radar images for designers of military and commercial radar while reducing solution component count.
Cramer shares his views on the winners and losers of this earnings season. Comcast, Idexx Laboratories and Zoetis are among the stocks discussed.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) today announced it will release financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2016 at 8 a.
With enough of earnings season now under our belt, we check out the promising themes and the sectors to avoid.
Yahoo!'s sale of its operating business shows what the week's deals look like.
Here's a technical look at how to trade some of the most active stocks on the market right now.
Jim Cramer is watching Linear Technology after Analog Devices agreed to buy the company for $14.8 billion.
The semiconductor industry continues to consolidate, and analog chips are an especially ripe area for more M&A activity.
Analog Devices (ADI) stock is surging in pre-market trading on Wednesday after announcing the acquisition of Linear Technologies (LLTC).
Stock futures move higher on Wednesday after Apple clears low expectations in its recent quarter.
Strong results for this under-the-radar technology name could not have been posted on a better day.
Here are Wednesday's top research calls, including upgrades for Coach and Alaska Air, and downgrades for Southwest Airlines and Twitter.
There are dozens of tech stocks like LLTC that are ripe for consolidation.
There were many earnings reports today, and many could've been worse, Cramer says.


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Despite a one year delay the Rudd Government’s emissions trading legislation will butcher the profits of Australia’s beef industry, according to Queensland Nationals’ Senator Ron Boswell.
Speaking at Beef Australia 2009 in Rockhampton today, Senator Boswell said that “Mr Rudd’s announcement to delay an ETS by one year will only delay inevitable cost rises that will cripple agriculture industries, especially the beef industry.”
“Just this week the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) released a major study on the farm impacts of an ETS saying that farm income for the average beef farmer could fall by over 60% at a carbon price of $25 or by as much as 125% at a carbon price of $50 when agriculture becomes part of the ETS”.
“These astonishing numbers were produced because the figures only consider an ETS that includes New Zealand and Australia, rather than the unrealistic treasury modelling which sees all countries coming on board with an international agreement.”
“Obviously the RIRDC figures are more realistic because we have an icecreams chance in hell of getting countries like Brazil, Uruguay, India, and China imposing the costs of an ETS on their agricultural industries,” Senator Boswell said.
“Last week I heard evidence from Mr Brad Teys of Teys Brothers Holdings that from the outset of emissions trading their abattoir operations will suffer a $10 per head cost increase on the 350,000 cattle processed through its Rockhampton plant every year.”
“Despite being highly exposed to international markets, abattoirs will not receive any free permits as part of the trade assistance package because they fall well short of the minimum emissions allocation threshold of 1000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per $1 million of revenue,” Senator Boswell said.
“Margins in the red meat industry are currently between 1 and 3 percent and processors say they will not be able to pass those costs on to international customers and so will have to pass the costs back on to farmers,” Senator Boswell said.
“The Government has attempted to disguise the immediate impacts of the ETS on the beef industry by treating abattoirs as a general manufacturing facility rather than acknowledging the role they play in the agricultural supply chain.”
“This sneaky classification means that beef farmers will begin to suffer the costs of Rudd’s ETS from day one.”
“The evidence is becoming clearer every day that the beef industry will be the big loser from Rudd’s ETS, no matter when it is introduced.”


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MMGT Team Wins Bob Elhart Award for Startup Idea
A team of Master of Management (MMGT) students has won the first-ever Bob Elhart Prize for their entrepreneurial idea BARE. Shreya Ramesh, Puneet Gill, Aneetinder Saini and Vibhuti Handa were inspired by the closure of salons and spas during the early stages of the pandemic.
“We thought of a ‘salon on wheels’, because of COVID-19,” said Aneetinder. “That’s when we decided to narrow it down to waxing and came up with a product that caters to convenient at-home waxing.”
The team decided upon a reusable applicator and cotton wax strips with organic wax at a highly affordable price. Refillable cartridges provided a mess-free waxing experience and were delivered based on the frequency set by the customer while signing up for the “Bare Wax Club”, a subscription-based service to deliver at-home wax supplies.
The team says the course’s emphasis on a bottom-up approach, the essential elements of a pitch deck and the marketing plan details helped to refine their pitch. They also found the advice and learnings from all the guest lectures were beneficial. They believe without the guidance of Chris Carder and Moren Lévesque, BARE would never have been possible.
“In my last private coaching session with these four amazing energetic and passionate young women, they challenged me,” said Professor Moren Lévesque, Co-Director, Entrepreneurial Studies at Schulich. “They said that they could get it all: win the Bob Elhart $1,000 prize and get an A+ for their pitch grade. In my class, this is almost impossible because my grading ‘game’ requires that a team cannot simply put its best ‘pitcher’ to pitch. Well, they all pitched as a team and did an awesome job. Final result: they got it all!”
The team says they will use the prize money for product prototype designs.
“During the dotcom collapse Bob Elhart shared the crucial key insight that saved my business and turned its fortunes around. Bob was a thoughtful and generous human being who loved guiding and inspiring young people, including myself early on in my entrepreneurial career,” said Chris Carder, Schulich Entrepreneur in Residence. “So it’s a real treat for me to now be able to share his story in class each year!”


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Hyundai Motor Company revealed during the last week a series of teasers of the All-New Elantra N model through a collection of photos and video. Now the high-performance model based on the seventh-generation compact sedan, Elantra N was caught back in South Korea thanks to our colleagues at AutoPost.
“Elantra N is an outstanding addition to the N brand lineup in that it offers pulse-pounding performance in a practical four-door package,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.
“Elantra N is undergoing final development now, including validation at Nürburgring, so we can deliver a car that enthusiasts will love in 2021. Once launched, it will be the flag-bearer of the Elantra lineup.” he added.
In addition to Elantra N, Hyundai plans to expand its N lineup with i20 N (we already know it) and Kona N in 2021.


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By jumping through some manufacturing hoops, Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) hopes to ease the shortage of its cancer drug Doxil by this fall.
The drug was manufactured for J&J by Boehringer Ingelheim's Ben Venue Laboratories. But the Ben Venue Bedford, OH, plant that manufactures the product, and many others, closed in December as it tried to get on top of manufacturing problems cited by the FDA. The closure contributed to a shortage of the critical ovarian cancer treatment.
While Ben Venue does not expect to have its plant fully operational again until the end of the year, Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Lisa Vaga told Bloomberg that it is working with the FDA and Ben Venue on a plan to get more product to market. The idea is to have Ben Venue formulate the drug and then ship it to another manufacturer for filling and manufacturing.
She told Bloomberg the company expects "health authority approval" around September and would get some limited supplies out shortly after. "This is a method for us to try to get Doxil back before the late 2012 time frame when the whole facility would be back up and running."
What supplies remain, Johnson & Johnson has been parceling out under guidelines of a special program and has had to turn away doctors with new patients needing the drug.
Trying to ease the shortage issue, the FDA in February gave temporary approval for Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories to import from India an unapproved drug that contains the same active ingredient as Doxil.
- get the Bloomberg story


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German media holding company Bertelsmann AG and British media company Pearson Plc (PSON.L,PSO) on Thursday said the planned combination of their book-publishing companies has received clearance by the U.S. Department Of Justice or DoJ.
The DOJ has informed the parties that it has completed its review into the proposed merger of Penguin and Random House, without conditions, and has cleared the transaction in the U.S. The combined business will be named Penguin Random House publishing group.
It was in late October 2012 that both companies announced their combination plans and since then, the planned transaction has been undergoing review by antitrust authorities in various parts of the world.
Bertelsmann and Pearson said they continue to expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2013, after all necessary approvals have been received.
Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann, said, "This positive first decision by one of the antitrust authorities is an important milestone on the path to uniting two of the world's leading publishing companies into a truly global publishing group. It will enable investments worldwide in new digital publishing models, in new distribution paths, products and services and in the major growth markets."
As per the deal terms, Penguin and Random House will combine their businesses in a newly-created joint venture named Penguin Random House. Bertelsmann will own 53 percent of the joint venture and Pearson will own 47 percent. Neither Pearson nor Bertelsmann may sell any part of their shareholding in Penguin Random House for three years.
The planned publishing house will include all of Random House and Penguin Group's publishing units in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. It will also include Penguin's operations in China and Random House's publishers in Spain and Latin America.
However, the German publishing group, Munich-based Verlagsgruppe Random House, will not be part of the group, but will remain with Bertelsmann.
As per the agreed terms, Bertelsmann will nominate five directors to the Board of the joint venture and Pearson will nominate four. John Makinson, currently chairman and chief executive of Penguin, will be chairman of Penguin Random House and Markus Dohle, currently chief executive of Random House, will be its chief executive.
In London, Pearson shares closed Thursday's trading at 1,209.44 pence, down 2.56 or 0.21 percent.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: firstname.lastname@example.org


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Lately, the Carlyle Beijing Partners fund invested 350 million renminbi ($56 million) in Beijing Ubox Technology & Trade Co., a vending machine operator.
"Obviously there have been some concerns about the stock market of late, and we do take that into account in pricing decisions. But given the size of the Chinese economy—and it will be the largest in our lifetime—I don't think you can afford to avoid it if you want to be a global investor," said Rubenstein.
He added that Chinese stocks were likely to fall further.
"Clearly there are still some problems, I have to say, in certain economies around the world, and probably prices will come down a bit further in some areas. But when prices fall, that does make good opportunities for people like us to invest at lower prices. So we like that. Obviously we own some existing assets and so they're going down as well," Rubenstein said.


text: Whereas the idea of going camping with a dog will hardly surprise anyone, cats might be a different story. Or not anymore? Ryan Carter, the creator of the “campingwithdogs” account on Instagram, has recently created the “campingwithcats” account, which is now inspiring cat lovers all over the world to go camping with their cats and share their experiences on Instagram. This has already produced more than 7000 posts with the #campingwithcats hashtag! And that’s what is what actually looks like when cats go camping.


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AI continues to dominate business and everyday life globally. AI technologies are used both for personal and business goals, and its popularity is immense. Let’s explore some key artificial intelligence statistics you need to know in 2023 if you’re interested in AI:
- The global AI market is set to increase nearly twentyfold, from $100 billion today to a staggering $2 trillion by 2030.
- AI software is already generating over $50 billion in annual revenue worldwide.
- 65% of people trust companies that use AI to improve their services, highlighting growing consumer confidence in AI.
- Two-thirds of companies are already using or planning to apply AI.
- Approximately 80% of companies consider AI to be a top priority in their business strategy.
- 72% of executives believe that AI will be the most significant business advantage of the future.
AI continues to dominate the business and everyday life globally, with its popularity soaring and new Conversational AI and Generative AI trends emerging constantly. In this article, we’ll delve into some remarkable statistics that shed light on AI’s astonishing growth, trust, impact on industries, and its future.
AI Market Size
The AI market is in the midst of an astonishing boom, with a current value of nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars. However, the real eye-opener is the projected growth. Experts anticipate a twentyfold increase by 2030, propelling it to nearly two trillion U.S. dollars.
- In 2022, the global AI market size surged to an impressive $136.6 billion. It’s a substantial leap from the $93.5 billion recorded in 2021.
- Currently, AI software globally earns over $50 billion in annual revenue.
- Predictions are nothing short of astounding, with the global AI market expected to reach an astonishing $1,811.8 billion by 2030. This means that AI will continue to fuel a digital revolution, and by 2025, it is poised to be valued at nearly $4 trillion.
The AI market is not merely expanding; it’s soaring to unprecedented heights. The pace of its growth is nothing short of remarkable, with a CAGR of 38.1% during the forecast period.
Trust in AI
Artificial Intelligence is gaining our trust in various ways. Here’s the lowdown on who trusts AI and why it matters:
- Consumers Trust AI: About 65% of people trust companies that use AI. So if a business uses AI to improve its services, most customers are okay with it.
- Keyword Data Trust: When it comes to AI-generated data, only 14.03% of users trust it. People are a bit cautious about data that comes from AI tools.
- AI in Search: Roughly 32.5% of users trust AI-generated search results. This means people are slowly starting to trust AI to give them good search answers.
- Leaders Value AI: Business leaders really believe in AI. In fact, 84% of them think using AI is essential for business growth.
- Consumer Confidence: More than half, that’s 52%, of adults trust companies that use AI.
- Transparency is Key: Only 39% think companies are good at telling them about their AI use. But when companies are transparent, trust level rises to 54%.
In a nutshell, AI is gaining trust, but people want to know what it’s up to. So, it’s important for companies to be transparent about how they use new technologies.
Artificial Intelligence Growth Statistics
AI is evolving at a rapid pace, reshaping the way we live and work. Let’s explore the astonishing growth details:
- Generative AI’s Soaring Popularity: The future of Generative AI chatbots is bright. More than 100 million people in the U.S. are expected to use it by 2024, and that number is set to climb to 116.9 million by 2025. In fact, over half of all Americans aged 12 to 44 are predicted to use new technology by 2025.
- AI Investment Surge: Generative AI is a hot topic among executives, with 96% discussing it with their boards. Moreover, the popularity of ChatGPT has led to a 45% increase in AI investment, according to 45% of leaders.
- Mixed Feelings on AI Speed: While AI is growing rapidly, 46% of U.S. adults express concerns that AI systems are being developed too quickly.
- AI Changing Lives: 66% of global adults believe that AI products and services will significantly change their lives in the next three to five years.
Usage of Artificial Intelligence Stats
As artificial intelligence continues its remarkable growth, it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about how AI is being put to work in practice:
- Businesses Embrace AI: In 2017, 20% of respondents reported adopting AI in at least one business area, while in 2022, that figure stands at 50%. An additional 42% are exploring AI for their operations. Larger companies are 100% more likely to use AI than smaller ones, but 41% of smaller companies are currently developing AI strategies.
- AI at Work: Among U.S. adults, 28% report that their employers use ChatGPT or similar chat-based tools. 19% mention AI image generators, 30% cite AI for data analysis, 21% use AI tools for video generation, and 17% employ AI for HR and recruiting. In response to AI’s growth, 35% of organizations are training and reskilling their teams to use new AI and automation tools.
- Generative AI Adoption: Surprisingly, 22% of respondents in a McKinsey survey regularly use Generative AI in their work, while 79% have had at least some exposure to it. A significant 48% of IT leaders mentioned their organizations are using it beyond ChatGPT. The biggest users of the new technology are aged 25 to 34, making up 21.4% of all users, followed by 35 to 44-year-olds (19.3%) and 18 to 24-year-olds (14.0%).
- AI Understanding: While 67% of adults say they have a good understanding of what AI is, only 51% can identify which products and services use AI (Source).
Artificial intelligence is not just a buzzword; it’s a reality that’s transforming the way we live and work. These growth and usage facts paint a vivid picture of AI’s rapid evolution and its impact on our world.
AI Adoption Statistics
In recent years, businesses and organizations have increasingly recognized the potential of AI to enhance operations, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation.
- approximately 55% of Americans engage with artificial intelligence either on a constant basis or at least once a day
- 44% of organizations are working to embed AI into current applications and processes, with two-thirds of companies already using or planning to apply AI.
- 25% of companies are adopting AI due to labor shortages, as AI helps optimize operations and compensate for a lack of human resources.
- For 4 in 5 companies AI is a top priority in their business strategy.
- Almost 100 million people are expected to be working in the AI space by 2025.
- The most common areas for AI adoption include ‘service operations’ and ‘strategy & corporate finance.’
- On average, organizations that have adopted AI use 3.8 different AI capabilities.
- An important factor driving AI adoption is easier accessibility (43%), followed by cost-cutting and process automation (42%).
- In 2020, 54% of customers had daily AI interactions with organizations, using technologies like chatbots, digital assistants, and biometric scanners.
- According to AI in eCommerce statistics, AI is expected to handle 80% of all customer interactions by 2023.
- The main barrier for businesses not adopting AI is a lack of expertise in how the technology works (34%).
- The number of AI startups since 2000 has increased 14 times, indicating significant growth in the AI industry.
- 72% of executives believe that AI will be the most significant business advantage of the future.
- In 2022, an Accenture report highlighted that companies employing AI for product design, development, and production saved 30 times more than their counterparts.
- According to a 2022 IBM survey, cost savings and efficiencies were identified as the top benefits of AI adoption by 54% of organizations, followed by improvements in IT or network performance at 53%, and enhanced customer experiences at 48%.
AI Adoption by Industries
AI in Retail
- The global AI market in retail is projected to reach $31.18 billion by 2028.
- In 2021, 73% of retailers planned to implement AI for pricing optimization.
- 75% of companies in retail have intentions to leverage AI to combat fraud.
- Amazon achieved a 225% decrease in “click to ship” time by utilizing machine learning (ML), reducing it to 15 minutes.
- 87% of AI adopters in retail are either using or considering AI for sales forecasting and email marketing improvement.
- 80% of retail executives anticipate AI automation adoption in their businesses by 2025.
- The retail sector leads in AI implementation, with 72% of retailers actively using AI.
AI in Telecom
- 52% of telecommunications organizations employ chatbots to enhance productivity.
- The AI telecommunications market is valued at $2.5 billion and is on the rise.
- IT and telecommunications utilize ML more extensively than any other industry, with 52% using chatbots.
- 63% of IT and telecom sector organizations incorporate AI.
AI in Healthcare
- AI in the healthcare market experienced a growth rate of 41.2% from 2018 to 2023.
- Approximately 1 in 3 medical professionals now employ computer systems for diagnosis assistance.
- 19% of healthcare organizations are already implementing AI, with an additional 18% in the adoption process.
- 68% of healthcare organizations are utilizing AI.
AI Business Functions Statistics
In the realm of business functions, AI has proven to be a transformative force, particularly in marketing, customer service, and sales. These sectors are increasingly relying on AI and machine learning to drive efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and boost revenues.
AI in Customer Service Stats:
- Data reveals how companies use AI to enhance the customer experience, including chatbots (73%), email composition (61%), product recommendations (55%), and personalized advertising (46%).
- 75% of consumers are comfortable with chatbots handling routine customer service tasks. Yet, only 33% approve of chatbots managing complex inquiries.
- 56% of businesses already use or plan to use AI for customer service. Other top AI uses include cybersecurity, fraud management (51%), digital personal assistants (47%), and customer relationship management (46%).
- Over 60% of business owners, specifically 64%, are optimistic that AI will enhance customer relationships.
- 67% of people expect to use messaging apps to communicate with businesses.
- AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots can conduct 80% of simple customer inquiries.
- 49% of consumers prefer interacting with brands through AI-powered chatbots.
- 63% of consumers expect companies to use AI to personalize their experiences.
AI in Marketing Stats:
- Marketers are rapidly adopting AI, with 75.7% using AI tools for work. And 68% of B2B marketers use AI in their marketing strategies.
- 60% of marketers are positive about the rise of the AI industry. And 59% of marketers hold the belief that AI will bring about a revolution in the marketing industry.
- Marketing and sales departments show a 40% higher prioritization of AI and ML for revenue success compared to other industry departments. In fact, around 4 in 10 marketers believe that AI email marketing improves market revenue.
- AI-driven marketing could increase productivity by up to 35% and deliver cost savings of up to 30%.
- According to ChatGPT statistics, it is used by 69% of digital marketers, particularly for blog content creation. In addition, AI-driven content creation can reduce the cost of content production by up to 90%.
- 43% of American marketers reported that chatbots were effective in educating prospects. And 57% of B2B marketers used chatbots to understand their audience better.
- AI-driven personalization can improve conversion rates by up to 25%.
- While 67.7% of marketers acknowledge the benefits of AI, lack of knowledge and time are barriers to adoption.
- 37.4% of digital marketers are using AI detection tools.
AI in Sales Stats:
- AI algorithms reveal data on which products generate the highest profit margins and offer valuable insight into a client’s purchasing habits.
- Recent data shows that using AI for sales: increases leads by 50%, reduces call times by 60%, and results in overall cost reductions of up to 60%.
- AI is used in various business functions, including product and service development (55%), marketing and sales (55%), and service operations (54%).
- 41.29% of marketers agree that using AI for email marketing generates higher market revenue, indicating AI’s impact on email-based sales strategies.
AI is revolutionizing customer service, marketing, and sales functions in distinct ways. As AI continues to evolve, these sectors will likely see further innovations and improvements in their respective processes and outcomes.
AI Statistics: Employment and Workforce
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, its impact on employment and the workforce is a topic of significant interest. Let’s delve into two perspectives to understand how AI is shaping the future of work.
The Upside of AI
- Labor Demand and Increased Productivity: AI is expected to create an additional labor demand of 21% to 33% in the global workforce by 2030. By 2035, AI-based technologies may increase labor productivity by up to 40% across various industries, adding $3.8 trillion GVA to manufacturing.
- New Job Creation: Despite concerns, AI is projected to create approximately 97 million new jobs, countering workforce displacement worries. Roles like software engineers and data engineers are in high demand for AI-related positions.
- Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Deloitte’s survey shows that 82% of business leaders believe AI enhances job satisfaction and performance.
- Skills and Jobs: AI-related skills are in demand. In the US, 2.05% of job postings required AI skills in 2022, a figure steadily increasing.
AI’s Threat to Jobs
- Job Displacement: McKinsey predicts that nearly 400 million workers (15% of the global workforce) may be displaced by AI by 2030. Six out of ten current occupations have over 30% of automatable activities.
- Job Concerns: A substantial 77% of people express concerns about AI causing job losses. AI adoption may replace 16% of all US jobs in less than five years, with a net job loss of 7%. Around 375 million people may need to switch careers by 2030.
- Challenges in Education: The current educational structures are unprepared for the employment effects of AI in 2030 and beyond.
- Job Vulnerabilities: According to the Pew Research Center, certain professions are particularly vulnerable to automation. These include office and administrative support (46%), legal work (44%), and architecture and engineering (37%).
- Mixed Views on Impact: While 82% of business leaders see AI enhancing job satisfaction, 47% believe it creates fear or concern. Different age groups have varying perspectives on AI’s impact on job creation.
In summary, AI has the potential to significantly impact the global workforce, both positively and negatively. It can create new opportunities and enhance productivity, but it also poses challenges related to job displacement and the need for workforce adaptation. Adaptation through education and innovation is crucial to mitigate these challenges.
Statistics About Artificial Intelligence Technologies
Technologies like chatbots, voice assistants, and ML are making substantial impacts. They are reshaping how businesses operate, how we interact with machines, and even the job market.
- The global market for conversational AI is projected to reach $32.62 billion by 2030.
- Around 50% of large companies are contemplating increased investments in chatbot technology.
- Nearly 80% of CEOs have already made or plan to make changes in how they utilize conversational AI technologies to manage client engagement.
- 69% of survey participants prefer chatbots for receiving immediate responses. The same percentage would opt for chatbots for service-related inquiries.
- Remarkably, 80% of consumers who have interacted with chatbots report a positive customer experience.
Voice Assistants and Search
- About 36.6% of the United States population utilizes voice assistants.
- A substantial 66% of individuals who employ digital assistants use them on a weekly basis.
- An impressive 93% of users express satisfaction with their voice assistants.
- On average, voice assistants can successfully answer 93.7% of all search queries.
- A significant 72% of individuals report using voice search via their personal digital assistants.
- Approximately 68% of voice assistant users agree that personal assistants make their lives easier.
- Surprisingly, 71% of consumers prefer using voice searches as opposed to the traditional method of typing for queries.
- More than half of online shoppers in the United States employ voice assistants to aid in product research, and over a third use them to add items to their shopping lists.
- 82% of companies seek employees with ML skills.
- 73% of business leaders believe machine learning can double employee productivity.
- The global machine learning industry is projected to grow at a 38.8% CAGR from 2022 to 2029.
- Top uses for AI and ML are improving customer experience and process automation.
- 61% of marketers prioritize machine learning and AI in their data strategies.
- AI and machine learning reduce sales call times by 60-70%.
- 74% of company leaders believe more investment in ML and automation can help achieve their goals.
As the information reveals, chatbots, voice assistants, and ML are rapidly becoming integral parts of our lives and industries. Staying informed about the trends and developments in these AI technologies is vital as we move forward into an AI-driven future.
Future of AI Statistics
The future of artificial intelligence promises groundbreaking advancements that will reshape industries and transform the way we interact with technology.
- By 2027, AI technical debt will be reduced by 70% through simulation platforms.
- Organizations without AI model observability capability by 2026 will experience a 20% decrease in models running in production.
- Investment in AI startups relying on foundation models will surpass $10 billion through 2026.
- By 2026, 30% of new applications will feature personalized adaptive user interfaces driven by AI.
- AI-driven analytics tools will be the primary source of insight for 40% of digital product enhancements by 2026, up from 10%.
- Over 35% of software will use AI-based digital twins for UX development by 2027, up from less than 5%.
- By 2027, nearly 15% of new applications will be automatically generated by AI without human involvement.
The future of AI is filled with immense potential and innovation. From reducing technical debt to automating application generation, these numbers highlight the transformative impact AI trends will have on various sectors. As businesses and organizations adapt to this evolving landscape, harnessing the power of AI will be essential for staying competitive and driving progress in the coming years.
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WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday nominated Michael Punke, a senior trade official in the Clinton administration, to be ambassador to the World Trade Organization and deputy trade representative.
If the nomination is confirmed by Congress, Punke will succeed Peter Allgeier, who is departing to work with a private consulting firm. The WTO is based in Geneva.
Punke was a senior policy advisor at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 1995 to 1996, after serving as the director for international economic affairs at the National Security Council and the National Economic Council at the White House from 1993 to 1995. During his first stint with the USTR, Punke advised the agency on a range of issues, including agricultural trade and intellectual property protection.
Before joining the Clinton administration, Punke was international trade counsel for Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.) from 1991 to 1992 when Baucus was chairman of the Finance Committee’s International Trade Subcommittee. He most recently had his own consulting firm, and is a trade attorney. In addition, Punke has written a novel and several works of nonfiction.
Allgeier was named ambassador to the WTO in 2005 after working in the USTR office since 1980.
“Michael Punke is uniquely suited to lead USTR’s team at the WTO, particularly at this critical time in the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. “His breadth of experience and considerable leadership skills will ensure that the American people have their interests well represented in Geneva as we seek a balanced and ambitious conclusion to the Doha Round that will provide new economic opportunities.”
Kirk is attending a meeting of trade ministers in New Delhi this week in an effort to kick start negotiations in the stalled Doha talks, which are aimed at lowering tariffs worldwide.
@chanel and @pharrell dropped what’s being dubbed as the world’s most exclusive sneakers yesterday. The Adidas Originals NMD Hu, which Williams designed in collaboration with Chanel and @adidasoriginals, has a waiting list of over 120K people who pre-registered online at chanelatcolette.fr –– and only 500 pairs are on sale. The singer predicted the resale value of the shoes could reach $40K. Read the full interview on WWD.com. Link in bio. #wwdfashion
@imanshumpert is diving deeper into his creative endeavors and relaunching his clothing line, Post 90s, and is helping to raise money for the hurricane victims in St. Maarten with a jersey he’s designed with his brother. The Cleveland Cavaliers player talked to WWD about kneeling during the national anthem, working with fashion brands and how he wants to be more than an @nba player. Read the interview on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: George Chinese)
Not only does #TheProfit return to CNBC tonight, but @marcuslemonis has launched @shopmarcus, a new shopping and lifestyle retail experience in Aspen and Chicago, with more locations to come. The retail stores offer in-store stylists and a variety of contemporary womenswear selections.
“It’s life, I’m going to face it,” @mingxi11 sighed. “I fell, but you know, I think the most important thing is that I get back up. I had the love, the help from my sister — the girl next to me Gizele [Oliveira] — she’s so nice. When I went backstage everybody was trying to comfort me like ‘Oh Ming, it’s OK.’ I’m really, really touched. I think it’s them who gave me the courage to go back on stage for the finale,” Xi told WWD of her fall at the @victoriassecret fashion show. (📷: David Fisher) #wwdfashion #vsfashionshow #victoriassecret
@louisvuitton tapped @therealpeterlindbergh for its latest city-centric photo book, which is part of a series called Fashion Eye. The primarily black and white book captures the spirit of Berlin in 57 images shot between 1989 and 2019. “Berlin is an inspiration for me, more than a city. I mean @millajovovich is simply Berlin!” said Lindbergh. #wwdfashion
“You know, I think audiences expect a certain performance so I have to deliver to them what they’re expecting to a certain degree. But I’m also a different actor and a different person, I have my own spin on the character,” says @noahegalvin of his takeover of the leading role in “Dear Evan Hansen” following the departure of @bensplatt, who originated the role. Read WWD’s interview with the 23-year-old actor on WWD.com #wwdeye (📷: @jilliansollazzo)
For pre-fall 2018, @etro created richly-colored wonderland, using tapestries, textiles and wallpapers from the Eastern world at large. The line featured floral and graphic prints and jacquard motifs, like this two-piece look featured here. #wwdfashion (📷: Giovanna Pavesi)
@kith is moving into children’s. The men’s and women’s streetwear brand has launched Kidset, a Kith kids line located in New York at 64 Bleecker Street. The line includes mini versions of staple Kith pieces like the Astor bomber jacket and the Kith box logo sweatshirts, along with a wall that can display up to 120 pairs of shoes from @adidas, @newbalance, @timberland and more. #wwdfashion
“I just wanted to create this fully rounded character, but I do think what excited me most was just the opportunity to give a group of people representation that I feel needs it. I like to do characters in projects that stand for something and Karolina definitely does, so that was really exciting to me,” @ginnygardner says of her new role in @hulu’s “The Runaways.” Gardner plays Karolina Dean, a queer superhero, which is a rarity for @marvel. Read more about Gardner’s character on WWD.com #wwdeye (📷: @dandoperalski)


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Google is rolling out the update now, which promises to improve Google Wifi and Nest Wifi
Google has rolled out an update to its Google Wifi and Nest Wifi hubs designed to improve the way these routers handle slow internet speeds and dropped connections. According to Google, the update should ensure users are able to keep chatting away happily to friends and family on video calls, and continue in the fray in online multiplayer games – despite sluggish connections. So, how does it work?
Following the upgrade, Google Wifi and Nest Wifi will be able to move faster between the radio channels used to beam internet wirelessly throughout the home. The software has also been tweaked to be able to better prioritise devices around the home.
If Google can see that you're currently in the middle of streaming a gripping YouTube video, the smart hub will do everything it can to keep the internet stable to that device. Whereas other devices, like smart lightbulbs currently not in use, or consoles quietly refreshing in the background, will not be prioritised.
Google Wifi and Nest Wifi hubs update automatically. So, there's no need to head to the companion app on your smartphone to get the latest features. With the upgrade rolling out now, users should hopefully see far fewer disruptions to their video calls, boxset binges, and more as Google better switches between channels to keep everything connected.
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Unfortunately, the one issue the latest Google Wifi and Nest Wifi update doesn't fix is broadband speed. Although it reduces the chances of bottlenecks on your network, older copper-cable connections will still struggle to keep multiple 4K TV streams and video calls running at the same time.
Thankfully, major internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK are starting to seriously ramp-up the roll-out of full-fibre connections. For example, Virgin Media has pledged to offer internet download speeds of at least 1Gbps to 15 million homes by the end of 2021. And Sky and TalkTalk are currently experimenting with faster fibre connections.