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One of machine learning’s most well-known use cases is fraud detection, an area that has drawn the attention of a growing number of technology suppliers looking to develop the best algorithms and techniques to solve a problem that costs businesses millions of dollars each year.
According to study by Vesta, a global payment service provider, fraud cost businesses an average of 8% of annual revenues in 2017. The biggest impact, however, has been on digital goods suppliers that lost 9.7% of revenue on average to fraud – an increase of 13% from 2016.
The majority of fraud expenditures are for fraud management, which makes up 75% of fraud costs, triple the actual fraud losses themselves.
San Francisco-based Stripe, a payment technology company, believes it has what it takes to detect online fraud from the onset with its technology.
Consider a fraudster who uses credit card information bought off the dark web to buy a laptop from an online merchant. Upon realising that a fraudulent transaction has been made, the rightful cardholder files a dispute with his or her bank, which in turn levies the total cost of the fraudulent transaction on the merchant.
Michael Manapat, Stripe’s head of data and machine learning products, says instead of having merchants review each transaction and write rules in the case of traditional fraud detection, the company uses machine learning to do all the heavy-lifting.
There are several tell-tale signs of fraud that Stripe’s machine learning model looks out for. These include buying an item in multiple sizes, pasting credit card details into order forms rather than typing them out, and the number of distinct cards used by a single person over a period of time.
With historical data on transactions and purchases made across its network of merchants, Stripe is then able to flag up potentially fraudulent transactions with higher confidence levels.
To reduce the number of false positives, Stripe uses human risk analysts to fine-tune and identify the fraud signals used in its machine learning model. Machine learning engineers will also examine false positives by hand to understand why the classifier got something wrong. “All our systems are retrained every day automatically as more data arrives,” Manapat says.
But besides creating better machine learning models, just as important is the need to ensure that insights generated from those models are trusted and understood by users. Manapat claims that Stripe’s model delivers insights with a high degree of human interpretability.
“Users want to know why we think a transaction is fraudulent, so we’ve been providing explanations on all model decisions,” Manapat says. “When we say a transaction is at high risk of fraud, we’ll tell you that we saw a high volume of similar transactions over the past day. Or that it’s medium risk because the card was issued in the US but the user’s IP address was in Singapore.”
So far, Stripe appears to be gaining traction in the market, having blocked $4bn worth of fraudulent transactions in 2017. It recently upgraded its feature set, which now lets merchants block potential fraudsters based on a list of attributes, as well as set custom thresholds at which to block payments, among other enhancements.
At Huawei’s annual analyst summit in Shenzhen this week, the Chinese technology giant unveiled its predictions about what the future holds from a technology perspective in its Global Industry Vision (GIV) 2025 report.
The crystal-ball-gazing exercise involved the use of its own “unique research methodology” that combines a mix of data and trend analysis, honed through years of supplying IT products and services to global markets.
The predictions are not too far off from other reports that we’ve written about at Computer Weekly:
More data, sensors and robots
According to the GIV report, there will be 40 billion personal smart devices and 100 billion connections by 2025, largely driven by the growing footprint of the industrial internet of things (IoT). And with more and better connections, data traffic will grow exponentially, and most of it will be from video. The cloud virtual reality market will reach $292bn by 2025.
Not surprisingly, Huawei expects the penetration rate of smart assistants to rise to 90% by 2025, with 12% of homes having smart service robots. And with help of robots, some 246 million people with impaired vision will live normal lives.
Rise of “intelligent” technology
Essentially about the impact and role of AI in society, this prediction builds on current expectations that AI will speed up industry development through better decision-making and analysis. When applied to autonomous vehicles, AI will enable safer roads and improve last-mile connectivity. By 2025, Huawei expects 60 million vehicles to be connected to 5G networks, and that all new vehicles will be hooked up to the internet.
In manufacturing, the convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) will accelerate, generating returns for innovation and industries. Smart city technologies will also enable urban planners to create sustainable living environments and improve the lives of residents.
A booming digital economy
All of these developments are expected to drive the world’s digital economy to new highs. By 2025, Huawei predicts the global digital economy will be worth $23 trillion. AI will be widely accessible, giving birth to new industries and boosting existing ones.
Now, anyone who has been tracking the industry closely would not be surprised at Huawei’s predictions. What’s interesting is that the predictions are aligned with what Huawei is doing to serve three main groups of customers: carriers, enterprises and consumers.
Think embedding AI capabilities in carrier networks, providing infrastructure and IoT platforms for businesses and developing mobile devices for consumers. It has also been partnering governments to roll out smart city projects around the world.
While I was expecting Huawei to be bolder (perhaps something on how software is going to change the world or affective computing), the report is a good barometer of Huawei’s priorities in the years leading up to 2025 – to continue building on its strengths in the carrier and consumer businesses, and develop new capabilities in the enterprise space.
The farming industry is arguably one of the last frontiers in digital transformation efforts, but not so in Australia, which has one of the biggest agriculture sectors in the world.
Since 2013, more farmers in the country have been turning to Agriwebb, a cloud-based livestock management application that helps farmers keep records of farming activities, including feed consumption and fertilisation, map out their farms, and make data-driven decisions about farms based on cost and performance.
Today, the application, which runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), is being used to manage 2,000 farms across Australia, representing some 10% of the country’s livestock, according to Justin Webb, Agriwebb’s co-founder and chairman.
Much of Agriwebb’s success today would not have been possible without the use of cloud computing, which Webb said had enabled the start-up company to build an application that can scale with the growth of the business. Running the application on AWS’s infrastructure also ensures data security, which rivals that of enterprise-class datacentres.
Webb acknowledges that Agriwebb has the potential to expand its reach, beyond the farms it manages, to the entire supply chain. For instance, through the use of blockchain, logistics companies, distributors and even consumers will be able to identity the provenance of farm produce.
“We’re building a critical mass of data before we go into blockchain,” he told ComputerWeekly on the sidelines of the AWS Summit in Sydney this week.
In addition, Agriwebb is also looking at enabling farmers to ingest data from internet of things (IoT) devices into the platform, giving farmers a way to combine agronomic data from sensors in the field with livestock data to improve operations and yield.
Agriwebb has already won accolades for its work – it has nabbed at least four awards at the National Australian Information Industry Awards in 2016, making it the startup to watch in the years to come, not only in Australia, but also on the global agri-tech stage.
Asset tracking is arguably the lowest-hanging use case that enterprises can consider in testing the potential of the internet of things (IoT).
From airport operators to mining companies, the use of IoT to track vehicles and equipment has been instrumental in driving more pervasive use of IoT and securing executive buy-in for the technology.
So, it’s not surprising that Sigfox, a supplier of LPWAN (low-power wide area network) connectivity with a global footprint, has developed the Monarch service that lets enterprises track devices that run seamlessly in all parts of the world, by automatically recognising and adapting to local radio frequencies.
Such services are handy to multinational companies, such as global logistics players, that may want to track their fleet and assets across the world through a single platform.
Earlier this week, Sigfox said it has worked with consumer luxury group LVMH to develop a luggage tracker powered by the Monarch service, enabling travelers to track their Louis Vuitton bags in major airports, even while travelling between different countries, using the LV Pass mobile app.
For now, the service is available in the world’s major airports such as London’s Heathrow, New York’s JFK, Tokyo’s Narita and Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok.
Sigfox claims this project is the first commercialised application of its kind that will demonstrate its ability to offer a global network, combined with a simple technology based on cost efficiency (cheap sensors and low subscription charges) and low-energy consumption (the tracker has a battery life of six months).
As a showcase project, the luggage tracker will need to demonstrate its ability to withstand travel conditions, including potential extreme weather, and establish a connection to the Monarch service with minimal delay.
Sigfox will also need to fulfil its promise of ensuring high quality of service (QoS) standards, despite the use of unlicensed spectrum which is prone to interference from nearby devices, including equipment used at airports.
After all, asset tracking can be mission-critical in some cases and enterprises will be watching how the Monarch service pans out. Think of the impact on airport operations if a unit load device used to load luggage or cargo is lost. Or, an autonomous vehicle at a sprawling mine that slips out of control due to unforeseen circumstances.
It would take someone over five million years to watch the amount of video carried across IP networks each month in 2021 – that’s how much video content we’ll be consuming over the next few years.
Throw in 4K – or even 8K – quality streaming videos in the mix and you’ll get a staggering amount of video data that broadcasters would have to process while meeting high consumer expectations of streaming and image quality.
Building their own infrastructure to support those needs is not only expensive for broadcasters, especially for one-time events like the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, it is also time-consuming – given that broadcast rights may not be secured until weeks away from the opening ceremony in some cases.
The most obvious path forward would be to turn to the cloud, which is what Australia’s Seven Networks had done. To provide full coverage of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics over 18 days, it used Amazon Web Services (AWS) to encode and stream 140 million minutes of live video to viewers who were using the OlympicsOn7 and 7plus apps.
With AWS Elemental Live L505AE multi-channel H.264 encoders, Seven Networks provided eight live streams simultaneously, letting users follow their chosen sport including snowboarding, alpine skiing and ice hockey. Premium users could also access the live streams in HD 1080p quality.
To ensure redundancy, all live streams were packaged into Apple HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) encrypted format, with the content then being pushed out over Amazon Direct Connect dedicated links into multiple AWS availability zones within the Sydney region.
Live content was then cached in AWS Origin Servers and, from there, served out via Amazon CloudFront and Akamai’s content delivery networks to meet the demand from viewers throughout Australia.
With the use of APIs, the broadcaster was also able to insert advertising triggers into live video streams, as well as overlay graphics into live video. Seven Networks is also expected to provide similar live streams for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Apart from Seven Networks, AWS has amassed a growing list of broadcasters and over-the-top video content providers, such as PBS, Netflix, itv in the UK and NDTV in India. Amazon itself is reportedly eyeing the broadcast rights to the English Premier League in the UK.
The growing use of artificial intelligence and big data has put a strain on hyperscale datacentres, particularly traditional, standardised storage infrastructure that has been unable to adapt to different I/O requirements.
Standardised storage, while offering backward compatibility and portability, use a generic block I/O interface that host software such as an operating system has no control over. That means the host would not be able to manage the physical storage according to varying performance needs.
To solve this problem, open-channel SSDs (solid-state drives) were developed to expose the internal parallelism of SSDs to a host, enabling these devices to support I/O isolation and more predictable latencies.
Chinese cloud service provider Alibaba Cloud has taken things further when it announced that it has developed AliFlash V3, a dual-mode SSD that supports both open-channel mode and native NVMe mode (mainly for compatibility purposes), as part of an new storage platform that closely integrates hardware, firmware, drivers, operating system and applications.
The integration is done via the platform’s user-space open channel I/O stack called Fusion Engine that was released in January 2018.
The platform, which Alibaba claims will reduce read latency by 75%, and improve overall storage performance by as much as five times, also supports all levels of customisation – from generic block devices that require no modification to applications, to highly customised software/hardware integrated systems.
The impetus to develop the new storage platform stemmed from Alibaba’s own experience with running applications on standardised hardware like NVMe SSDs. It found that its e-commerce, financial and logistics applications, for example, required features that were not available in standard SSDs.
Moreover, because the company’s application requirements change frequently, its storage infrastructure must be agile and adapt quickly to changing demands. However, due to long production cycles of standard SSDs, it could take quarters to obtain new product releases from SSD suppliers.
Alibaba has written a specification for its dual-mode SSD platform, and is working with different SSD and firmware suppliers in an effort to build an ecosystem around its platform.
Shu Li, senior staff engineer at Alibaba’s infrastructure services team, says the platform is expected to be widely deployed in Alibaba’s datacentres, serving both internal and external customers in future.
In a world where data is more readily available than ever, having analytical skills that will help you to make sense of data in day-to-day tasks is instrumental in career progression.
But going by a recent survey conducted by Qlik, a data analytics software provider, only 20% of employees in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are confident in their data literacy skills, that is, the ability to read, work with and analyse data.
Diving deeper into the study, some 49% admitted to feeling overwhelmed when reading, working with, analysing and challenging data, while 81% of workers don’t think they have adequate training to be data literate.
Not surprisingly, most full-time workers (72%) said they would be willing to invest more time and energy in improving their data literacy skills, if given the chance.
While the overall numbers are worrying, workers in some countries fared better than others. India appears to be the most data-literate nation, where 45% of respondents said they were confident with data.
Business leaders including C-level executives and directors in India (64%), Australia (39%) and Singapore (31%) were also most confident about their data literacy levels.
At the other end of the spectrum was Japan, where just 6% of workers classified themselves as data literate.
One of the reasons for this disparity lies in access to data, according to Paul Mclean, Qlik’s data literacy evangelist in APAC.
For example in APAC, on average 59% of junior level employees said they have sufficient access to data. Comparatively, 82% of senior managers and 85% of directors in APAC have sufficient access to data.
Looking at a country perspective, 88% of Indian workers believed they have all the data sets they need to perform their jobs to the highest possible standard – which is higher compared to other countries in APAC.
The numbers were lower in Australia (60%) and Japan (28%). This inequality is holding people and businesses back.
Employees can only become data literate if they can access data and integrate it into their everyday work lives – basically learning by doing, Mclean said, calling for organisations to level the playing field and empower every employee, across every level of the organisation, the right to use and access data for their respective roles.
But why aren’t employees getting access to all the information they need to do their jobs well? Part of this could be – rightly or wrongly – concerns over employees misusing sensitive information, as well as knowledge hoarding practices that give managers a false sense of superiority over their colleagues.
These managers may think that such practices will offer job security, but the opposite is true. They can be easily replaced or moved to another position, if an enlightened management that sees the benefits of information access can’t force them to release the data they’re hoarding to others.
For a deeper discussion on why information – and data for that matter – wants to be free, check out this seminal work by Professor Polk Wagner where he talks about intellectual property and the mythologies of control.
From 25 May this year, organisations across the ASEAN region will have to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will apply to any company that collects the personal data of European Union residents.
In the run-up to the looming deadline, a number of technology suppliers have been touting the importance of identifying, managing and protecting the personal data of EU residents, using various data protection and management technologies.
While there’s no doubt that tech suppliers are helping to raise awareness in the market about the GDPR, taking a technologically centric approach to GDPR compliance will further accentuate the dangerous view that data protection is an IT and security issue, and not a business issue.
As we all know by now, data protection and cyber security aren’t merely technology issues. When businesses get fined for data breaches, they are the ones that will draw flak for putting their customers’ personal data at risk, not their legal or IT teams. In some cases, CEOs have even resigned after public backlash over data breaches that took place under their watch.
In a bid to sell their technology tools, some suppliers have over-simplified their messages to suit their offerings, sometimes without having a full understanding of data protection principles and the requirements under the GDPR.
Instead, data protection – and GDPR compliance for that matter – should be approached from a risk management and governance perspective, with technology tools as enablers, not solutions.
Data protection laws such as the GDPR are complex, and can impact a broad range of business roles, including legal, audit, HR and finance, not just IT. In achieving GDPR compliance, organisations should focus on getting these roles to work together in ongoing efforts to ensure governance, risk and compliance (GRC) across an organisation, and not be distracted by the noise in the marketplace.
At Computer Weekly, we strive to provide in-depth coverage of issues, challenges and trends facing today’s IT leaders through original, independent and targeted content.
To ensure that our stories meet the needs of our readers in the APAC region, we’ve formed our inaugural APAC CIO Advisory Panel, an independent body tasked with providing strategic advice to our editorial team.
Please join me in welcoming the founding members of the panel comprising senior executives across leading organisations across the region.
Eugene Yeo, Group CIO, MyRepublic
Eugene is group chief information officer at MyRepublic. His primary focus is on driving customer centricity and operational efficiencies across regional operations of the company, through the use of innovative technology and efficient business processes.
Combining his experience in enterprise software development with a deep understanding of ISP operations, he leads the development of customer-centric, agile OSS/BSS platforms and operational processes that allowed for the stratospheric growth of the company across the Asia-Pacific region.
He is a regular keynote speaker at TM Forum events globally, and sits on the advisory panel of various startups and educational institutions across the region.
Dr Kwong Yuk Wah, CIO, NTUC
Yuk Wah is the chief information officer of Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). She is also the chief data protection officer of NTUC, its affiliated unions, as well as the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute.
Under her leadership, NTUC was a winner of the National Infocomm Awards (NIA) 2014 for the most innovative use of infocomm technology in the private sector. She was awarded the ASEAN CIO Award 2015.
Yuk Wah had also worked in Singapore’s public sector where she started her career at the National Computer Board, and held various management positions at the Infocomm Development Authority. She was also vice president of planning at Singapore Airlines.
Lee Kee Siang, CIO, National Library Board
Kee Siang is the chief information officer and director for resource discovery and management at Singapore’s National Library Board (NLB).
As the CIO of NLB, he provides leadership in formulating IT strategies and work plans to transform NLB’s service capabilities. He also sets direction for the design and implementation of organisation-wide IT policies and standards to ensure alignment of service outcomes, strategies and resources at all levels.
Kee Siang is also a member of the Technology Advisory Committee of the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore, NHB Digital Resource Panel and Honorary Auditor of the IT Management Association.
Manik Narayan Saha, CIO, SAP Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ)
Based in Singapore, Manik leads a global multinational and multicultural IT organisation. As part of the senior leadership team in APJ, he is responsible for SAP’s internal IT services to 28,000+ staff in the region.
With 19 years of experience and expertise in technology, Manik is a prominent keynote speaker at events, and provides thought leadership on a wide range of topics ranging from IT Strategy, artificial Intelligence, digitalising operations, process excellence and enterprise innovation.
Manik is a member of the INSEAD Alumni Network and a Regional Ambassador of the INSEAD Directors Network for Singapore. He was also the founding fellow and is currently serves as a vice-president for Ideation Edge Asia, a non-profit organisation.
Nigel Lim, Regional IT Manager
Nigel is regional IT manager (Asia & Oceania) at one of Japan’s largest trading companies. His division is responsible for managing the regional portfolio of IT programmes and projects as well as governance and compliance. He is also leads the company’s consulting practice.
In previous roles, he has been accountable for various portfolios of IT including service delivery, application support, infrastructure operations and compliance.
Nigel is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK, and has more than a decade of experience managing IT. An energetic visionary, he is passionate about organisational excellence and delivering sustainable value.
Gary Adler, Chief Digital Officer, MinterEllison
Gary has had 19 years of IT experience, with 10 years in senior management roles. He has a finance and accounting background but made the move to IT in the late 90s, initially focusing on infrastructure. Gary has worked in the investment banking, insurance, mining and professional services sectors in both Australia and the UK.
In recent years, Gary played a lead role in the technology strategy which successfully brought together the global merger of Australian firm Freehills and UK and Asian firm Herbert Smith, before moving to lead Australian firm, MinterEllison in mid-2015.
Over time, his focus in IT has varied from managing technical portfolios to enterprise-wide strategy and planning roles. As Chief Information Officer, and more recently Chief Digital Officer, Gary’s focus at MinterEllison has been on bringing a new legal operations model mindset to ‘Big Law’ via emerging technologies such as data analytics and AI to streamline delivery of legal services to the firm’s clients and workforce.
With more businesses expecting enterprise-grade mobile devices to last longer than the average consumer smartphone replacement cycle, keeping those devices secure is a growing challenge.
According to a survey by Zebra Technologies, 51% of businesses want their mobile computers to last more than five years, some of which are still powered by legacy “green screen” Telnet-based systems or Windows mobile operating systems.
Getting support for these older operating systems is next to impossible, given that those systems have reached their “end-of-life” where software and security updates are no longer provided.
Even for a modern mobile operating system (OS) such as Android, security updates usually end after three years – well short of the five or more years that enterprises need. This gap between OS and hardware lifecycles can create an exposure to ever-present security risks, said April Shen, director of enterprise visibility and mobility at Zebra Technologies Asia-Pacific.
While some enterprises may look to replace their mobile devices with newer ones to take advantage of the latest – and more secure – versions of operating systems, some may be reluctant to do so, given that many enterprise-grade mobile devices are built to be rugged and hence can last longer.
So what can enterprises do? Like companies such as Rimini Street that provide third-party support services for enterprise software, Zebra Technologies, through a product called LifeGuard, delivers regular security patches on a monthly or quarterly basis.
“All security updates that we release also come with detailed release notes that share guidance on the specific vulnerabilities being addressed as well as detailed installation instruction,” Shen said. “All of this has resulted in a unique, industry-leading level of OS security support.”
But that does not mean that all of LifeGuard’s security patches, which address various threat severity levels, need to be applied all the time. Shen said businesses should evaluate the patches in accordance with their IT policies to determine if the patches are required.
“We also understand that software updates may carry a certain level of functional risk. For example, customers may want to assess the individual vulnerabilities addressed in each release, as they may already have taken steps to mitigate some of these vulnerabilities through measures (such as application white listing and lock task mode).”
Of course, there will come a time when enterprises will need to replace their devices for good. That will set off a chain of tasks such as porting existing apps to the new devices and operating system, and testing the apps before deploying them.
Shen said because LifeGuard continues to provide legacy OS security support for one year in the form of quarterly updates, enterprises will have enough time to migrate to the newer OS smoothly and securely.
The catch is LifeGuard is only available for newer Android-based devices from Zebra. Legacy products may either have LifeGuard support or some lesser security support profile.


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SHAFAQNA -Â Residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem marked Eid al-Fitr â€“ the three-day festival that follows Ramadan â€“ by buying new clothes and toys for their children, despite difficult economic circumstances.
â€œFor my children, new clothes, candyÂ and toys are the essence of Eid,â€ Mohamed Naji, a 48-year-old father of three, told Anadolu Agency.
â€œEach day of Eid, they wake up early in the morning to enjoy their new gifts,â€ he said.
Naji added, however, that â€“ due to the difficult economic circumstances in the occupied territories â€“ this yearâ€™s Eid was proving a burden for many parents.
â€œPrices are too high,â€ he lamented. â€œThis month, I had to spend all my savings to meet my familyâ€™s needs.â€
Riyad Zughayyar, a 65-year-old clothing vendor in the southern West Bank city of Al-Khalil (Hebron), said that business was slower than usual this Eid.
â€œAll the traffic on the streets doesnâ€™t reflect the reality of the situation,â€ he told Anadolu Agency. â€œThe hard economic situation that the Palestinian people are currently going through has badly affected sales.â€
Kareema Ayyad, for her part, a 36-year-old mother of four, is buying clothes for her children this year from Palestinian vendors in Jerusalemâ€™s Old City.
â€œI have decided to buy clothes for my children from Palestinian vendors in Jerusalem so as to support the cityâ€™s embattled residents,â€ she told Anadolu Agency.
â€œThe Israeli government is trying to cut East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank,â€ she said. â€œWe must help the cityâ€™s Palestinian inhabitants however we can.â€

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NEWINGTON, CT (WFSB) -- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Connecticut, restaurants have been some of the hardest-hit businesses.
With colder temperatures leading to an increase in cases, local eateries are working to make sure they can keep customers safe through the winter.
"Maybe it's going to drag on for another year or so, so we've got to adapt to the new changes, and try to survive,” said Michael Milios, owner of Mykonos Mediterranean Restaurant in Newington.
That means using tents, outdoor heaters, and even igloos as alternatives to the traditional dine-in experience.
“People still want to be outside, so we're still trying to give them that safety net of being outside, but still being covered, and not worried about the winter,” said Eli Cannon’s Executive Chef Edward.
It's early, but the returns so far on investments look to be positive.
All the tents and the outdoor heating were expected to be a temporary solution to deal with the cold.
But after such positive reviews from customers, places like Eli Cannon's are now thinking that they're going to be a part of the long-term future.
While nobody is happy that the pandemic is still happening, it’s forced restaurants to reinvent themselves, which is not always a bad thing.
"Oh yeah, they're always noticing the changes. And they're pretty happy with us because we're always trying to do whatever's best,” Milios said.


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Yesterday we brought readers news of a charity auction that will take place at Macworld Expo later this month. The MacCentral Mosaic will be auctioned off at the conference with 100 percent of the proceeds going to United Cerebral Palsy.
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Five canvas Mosaics are currently traveling the United States and Canada being signed by the 35 artists that each made tiles for the project. Many of these people signed the Mosaic at retail Apple store locations in their cities.
The staff at the Willow Bend Apple Store invited M.G. (Shooshie) Roberts, one of the artists, to give a presentation to customers on how the Mosaic and his tile were built using Macintosh hardware and software. The event will take place on Wednesday July 3 at 7:00 pm.
Apple’s retail locations have “Made on the Mac” presentations in most of the stores. These presentations feature unique ways that people have used the Mac to create artwork, books, movies and much more.
If you live near the Willow Bend location, stop by and see how the Mosaic was built from one of the artists involved in the project. The store is located at 6121 West Park Blvd. Suite C120 in Plano, TX.


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BOTSWANA – Retail giant, Choppies supermarket, ended the year 2015 on a high note after its revenue went up by 17 percent to P 3.5 billion for the half-year to December 2015.
According to the financial statement posted on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) website this week, gross profit went up by 11 percent to P714 million.
The company also managed to increase its footprint locally and beyond after increasing the total number of stores from 18 to 147 during the period while the total retail space increased by 22.19 percent to 214,052 sqm.
According to the company, Botswana contributed 64 percent to group revenue.
“The sharp devaluation of the Rand continued in the current financial year, putting pressure on Pula-based sales prices. However, profitability continued to improve from the scale benefits of our mature infrastructure. We expect this process to continue going forward,” said the company.
In South Africa, the company said trading conditions in the region were challenging, especially in mining towns.
“Rising power costs also negatively impacted profitability. Collectively these factors resulted in Choppies falling behind its profitability forecasts. Downward shifts in consumption patterns negatively impacted gross profit margins in all of our markets, including South Africa,” the company said in the statement.
However Choppies opened four new stores during the half-year in neighbouring South Africa, taking total stores to 40.
“Choppies’ plans to achieve significant scale in South Africa have been greatly enhanced by the acquisition, after 31 December 2015, of 21 Jwayaleni stores in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape,” read part of the statement.
These stores, which are currently operating under the “Jwayelani” brand, generated revenues of over R1 billion in the year to August 2015 with a gross profit margin of 20.37 percent and profit before tax margin of 2.84 percent for that period.
“The unaudited management accounts show Jwayelani’s gross profit grew by 8.93 percent in the same period. This acquisition creates a platform for profitable growth in the South African operations,” said the company.
On the other hand, Choppies was impressed by the Zimbabwe market, which achieved revenue growth of 49 percent over the first six months of the previous financial year.
However the company said an aggressive pricing and promotions strategy in new stores negatively impacted profitability, and start-up costs for the eight new stores opened during the period.
“Macroeconomic pressures in Zimbabwe continue to affect the spending power of consumers. In addition, deflationary trends have continued due to the strength of the US Dollar,” said the company.
Operations in Zambia commenced on 25 November, 2015 with 1192 sqm store at Tafika Commercial Complex, Kanyama, Lusaka and a distribution centre in Makeni, Lusaka.
The company is planning a further 10 stores during calendar year 2016.
On the local market the company expanded through the addition of its 79th store, which started operation in Gabane on 4th March 2016. The retail giant is expecting to open a further two stores before the end of the current financial year.
It also said that a deal has been concluded in Kenya under which 10 existing stores will be taken over during the next few months.
“This operation commenced on 13 February, 2016 with the takeover of first store in Kisumu and, to date, a further 3 stores have been taken over. The entire process is expected to be completed by end of March 2016,” said the company.
According to the company, no interim dividend has been declared and a final dividend will be declared and distributed after the finalisation of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016


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Week of June 15, 2015
A weekly Saturday recap to share with you our favorite links, discoveries, exhibitions, and more from the past seven days. This week we survey the sudden trend of gymnasium-inspired designs, the best of Design Miami/Basel, and a few of our favorite works by photographer Suzanne Mooney, pictured above. Plus: the weirdest design-world video we’ve ever, ever seen, featuring Chen Chen, Katrina Vonnegut, and a cat driving a dumptruck.
Cristina Celestino of the Milanese studio Attico was in the middle of a research project on Adolf Loos when she was asked by Fuji to create a design project around the company’s printing technology, so she took inspiration from the colors and finishes of Loos’s interiors to create these artworks made by printing marble patterns onto slate.
The photo series pictured above and at top, which focuses on materials and objects typically used for retail displays, is a few years old. But we only just discovered the work of Irish photographer Suzanne Mooney this week, and wanted to highlight our favorite project of hers here. Mooney’s images “stem from an inquiry into the collapse of objects into their representational form.”
On the other end of the spectrum, this week we did a lot of poking around the websites of creatives we’ve followed for years, looking for new works they’d published. In the case of Dutch photographer Wyne Veen, those efforts led us to this image, called Freestyle Altar, a personal project of hers depicting pretty colored flame effects.
We also discovered the new Leaf Lamp by Matteo Zorzenoni, which has a nice minimalist / Michael Anastasiades vibe. There’s also a version in copper. A fellow Pinterest pinner clued us into the new resort collection from Ports 1961, a brand we never really associated with textile experimentation before now. Turns out it just hired a new creative director — Central Saint Martins grad Natasa Cagalj — who created the new line’s amazing geometric-hem tunics, fringed and space-dyed sweater dresses, and color-swatch rosette shirt pictured above. So good. Seeing pictures of it now, after the recent completion of a controversial decade-long restoration, it’s hard (and heartbreaking) to imagine that Eileen Gray’s Villa E-1027 in France was “used for target practice by German soldiers during World War II [and] went on to witness the murder of its homeowner before being abandoned in the 1990s and occupied by illegal squatters,” says ArchDaily. Earlier this week the blog revealed first photos of the dramatic update, complete with a Le Corbusier mural and a polychromatic wall unearthed during the renovation. Follow this link to see images of the rest of the house.
Loving these blobby, Gaetano Pesce–esque coffee cups by German ceramics studio Content & Container, which also come in red or blue marbled porcelain. More wavy ceramics, though this pitcher is a little more clean-cut; it’s called Cascade and was created recently by the young German designer Pascal Hien, who currently works on the design team at Fabrica.
Ferréol Babin just posted new images of his 2013 Roll Lamp, and while it’s basically just the same lamp shot next to a pair of sunglasses, we thought it was a good excuse to talk about how much we love the design, which is still a prototype but comprises a sleek tubular LED light that sits atop a wooden base and can be rotated freely to direct light wherever it’s needed without any mechanism or hardware.
Having spent the month of June in Norway, we just keep discovering new Norwegian design talents we love through word of mouth. This week it was Noidoi, a Danish couple currently living in a small town near Bergen, and their cast-iron Bølgen trivet whose zig-zags are inspired by the shape of heat waves. It was launched last year as part of the 100% Norway exhibition at the London Design Festival, which we’ll be devoting more coverage to as this September’s edition approaches.
Happening right this minute, on the other hand, is Design Miami/Basel, whose standouts we’ve been attempting to track from afar. On our list is Volume Gallery’s presentation, featuring the Aluminum Bench by Jonathan Olivares, which was shown last year as a prototype and is finally ready for the market. The Los Angeles–based designer developed it in collaboration with the architectural facades manufacturer A. Zahner for the company’s ShopFloor software, which lets users customize the bench’s length and shape to create configurations like the ones pictured in the prints hanging on the booth’s walls. Photo by Jonathan Nesci
At last year’s Collective Design fair, gallerist Patrick Parrish presented a massive selection of Carl Auböck pieces together with Clemens Kois, the author of Carl Aubock: The Workshop, and presented them in a booth made entirely from pale-green Sheetrock. At Basel this week, the pair backdropped another 500 Auböck treasures, some from the official Auböck Archive, with a collage of colored leather scraps.
While browsing the incredibly helpful (since we can’t be there ourselves) Design Miami Basel database on Artsy, we discovered the pretty ombré lamps of Jos Devriendt, which we hadn’t seen before. The one above is currently on view with gallery Pierre Marie Giraud. (We also really like these pieces by Marc Dibeh for Art Factum.)
Great submission this week from Jonathan Casella, who sent us a selection of his newest paintings, currently on view as part of the group show “Everything We Ever Wanted” at the Portland gallery Nationale. The Texas-born, Portland-based artist is joined by painters Katie Batten and Sarah Mikanis, whose works both have a similar collage-y, pattern- and color-filled vibe.
When Atelier Biagetti exhibited the gymnasium-themed works above in a show curated by Maria Cristina Didero during the Milan furniture fair in April, we had a premonition: Why the athletic inspiration, why now? This feels so specific that it must be a thing. And lo and behold, over the past two weeks we discovered that we were right, it really was a thing — coincidentally or not, two more examples of gym-inspired design landed in our inbox, meaning something about this aesthetic must feel particularly relevant right now.
One of the two was this balance-beam-inspired bar in leather, polished brass, Iranian white Onyx marble, and metal by up-and-coming Beirut studio David Nicolas, a private commission currently on view at Design Miami/Basel.
The other is Jaime Hayon’s “Game On” show, currently on view at both the Paris and London locations of Galerie Kreo, which includes pieces inspired by ping pong paddles, basketballs, toboggans, trapeze bars, and more. Hayon says he was inspired, at least in part, by the fact that gallery founders “Clémence and Didier Krzentowski both come from this industry, having participated in the production of the Olympic Games of Albertville in 1992,” says the release.
Definitely one of the weirdest submissions we’ve ever received — so weird, in a good way, that we had to include it here — is this animated video made by our friend, actor and playwright Alec Coiro, about the New York design showroom Colony. It features cameos by Chen Chen, Katrina Vonnegut, and a cat driving a dumptruck. Says Coiro: “It’s based around some photos I recently took at my visit to Colony for a party celebrating their one-year anniversary, as well as some found video footage of a few of the designers … It strikes me as very postmodern to use design in unexpected ways, and that’s what I tried to do with some of the action-packed twists I threw in at the end of the video.” We have to give it props for bringing something 1000% new and different to the design world, that’s for sure!


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Earnings season starts in earnest next week. Netflix reported. The rest of the FANG stocks report next week; Google, Facebook and Amazon. Let’s preview.
Google Earnings Monday After The Close
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), (Nasdaq: GOOGL) reports after the close Monday with a conference call at 4:30 EDT. Last quarter showed accelerated revenue growth but weaker gross margins which dissapointed the Street. The lower margins were caused by a jump in TAC, Traffic Acquisition Cost so investors will be watching TAC. Google earnings don’t have a track record of always beating so there’s always volatility around earnings reports.
Facebook Earnings Wednesday After The Close
Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) reports after the close on Wednesday with a conference call at 4:30 EDT. As you know we’re bulled up (here and here). Our earnings are well above the Street this year despite the company trying to “kitchen-sink” expenses to appease Congress. Mark Zuckerberg also said there has been minimal business impact even with all the negative press. Technically the stock held a key level so positive news can force everybody to get back in. We’re bullish.
AMD Earnings Wednesday After the Close
AMD (Nasdaq: AMD) isn’t a FANG stock even though it starts with an “A.” But it’s on our Buy List so we squeeze it in here. The question is how much did crypto damage the quarter? Crypto currencies drove Q4 and crypto prices have dropped big time this quarter likely stalling miner purchases. We did point out two positives for crypto, one the chart, and two TSMC pointing to miner strength. Still AMD gave a monster guide last quarter which, when we flowed it through to our Our earnings, gave us huge upside. We’re staying bullish.
Amazon Earnings Thursday After The Close
Amazon reports earnings Thursday after the close with a call at 5:30 EDT. Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) had amazing results last quarter. We just have an issue with the valuation but we’d love to love Amazon. Amazon is the final FANG stock reporting in earnings season. Our earnings are above the Street for this year but what do you pay for it? If you want to pay 100X the Street’s 2019 numbers you are at fair value. AWS is more than 100% of their profits and has started to see nice leverage. That’s the whole earnings story for me, frankly. The other businesses are all Our earnings in combination. Yes, negative. We’ll see how they report. Amazon, like Google can be up or down big versus expectations on a quarterly basis so there are big moves either way.


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China's shipments of foldable screen mobile phones reached about 2.771 million units in Q4 of 2023, surging 149.6% from a year earlier, with Huawei, OPPO and Honor's new products driving the market's continued growth, according to market research firm IDC.
Shipments for the full-year of 2023 reached about 7.007 million units, jumping 114.5% from the previous year, and since the launch of the first product in 2019 . . .
Everything you are looking for about China markets is on THE WIRE, with up-to-the-minute reporting on regulatory updates, economic indicators, market trends and company spotlights throughout every trading day.
Random China information is everywhere, but focused and systematic reporting on China market is rare.


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Reporting on non-financial performance isn’t just for US companies
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) May 07, 2015
Measurabl, the startup for sustainability data management, analytics, and reporting, has expanded service to 6 countries beyond North America including China, Brazil, the UK, France and Germany. The company experienced rapid growth in North America in 2014. To accommodate its diverse user base, Measurabl released a French translation of its product in April 2015.
Measurabl’s user- and design-centric approach to collecting information allowed it to gain swift traction in the complex, expensive sustainability reporting marketplace, making it possible for many different people to seamlessly collaborate on one report. By automatically importing energy and water data directly from utility companies, and flight and vehicle data from travel providers, Measurabl has become a go-to solution solution for global companies being asked to disclose non-financial performance.
“Reporting on non-financial performance isn’t just for US companies” says Matt Ellis, Measurabl’s CEO and Founder. “GRESB, the sustainability reporting standard for real estate companies originated in the Netherlands and only later ensnared US companies. It’s now spread around the globe. Our French translation is a first step in allowing our product to address the larger, international market for sustainability reporting.”
Measurabl’s SaaS solution for sustainability data collection and reporting is now used by many of the premiere companies and corporations in North America including Ivanhoé Cambridge, the Canadian real estate company who is using the new French version of Measurabl, CBRE Global Investors, Clarion Partners, and CIM Group, among many other leading organizations.
Measurabl is sustainability reporting, simplified. Our software uses automatic data import technology and a guided step-by-step process to help organizations collect and report data as well as benchmark and improve performance. By making it possible for any organization to report on sustainability regardless of size, expertise or level of resources, we’re setting the standard for financial-grade sustainability reporting and creating the world market for non-financial data. To learn more about Measurabl visit http://www.measurabl.com.


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Latest LG The V Stories
A behind-the-scenes look at telemetry sensors, cameras and switches on-board an IndyCar. BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the title sponsor of the Verizon IndyCar
PISCATAWAY, N.J., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) today announced it has
DEARBORN, Mich., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ControlTec, an industry leader in transportation diagnostic and safety data systems, and Verizon Wireless, a technology leader
Skypatrol to Attend NAF in Texas (PRWEB) May 23, 2014 Skypatrol, the global leader in GPS Tracking Solutions, is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting
LG G Flex, premier mobile device that delivers truly immersive, cinematic viewing experience, shows fans that Life's Good with the latest evolution in smartphone technology HOLLYWOOD, Calif.,
Company also matching employee donations LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to providing on-the-ground support to Arkansans and communities affected by tornadoes
Recently, Excel Wireless, a long-time wireless communication equipment manufacturer and provider, has proudly launched a special offer on its cell phone boosters.
Lucid 3 by LG Delivers Knock Code(TM) For Greater Security and Android(TM) 4.4 KitKat for Best User Experience ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., April 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics today announced
Company is actively hiring 60 local retail positions to fuel its continued growth ODESSA, Texas, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless is adding 60 full-time retail positions
Silver Creek Elementary School Wins Physical Fitness Grant from LG and Project Fit America After Winning LG Coaches' Cook-Off(TM) Competition at 2014 NCAA® Final Four®
- The act of sweetening by admixture of some saccharine substance.


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STONINGTON — Maine’s prized crustacean has commanded sky-high prices this year as demand continues to shoot through the roof.
“The price is probably the highest it’s ever been,” said Ron Trundy, the manager of the Stonington Lobster Co-Op.
Lobster prices regularly fluctuate throughout the year depending on the demand and the number of lobsters being caught. The price usually comes down as summer rolls on and the catch goes up, but this year, prices have remained high through the summer and into the fall.
Local lobster retailers were selling large lobsters at $9.99 a pound during the first week of November in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This year, the price climbed to $16.99 a pound — a price point it has stayed at since July.
“The price has been really stable this year,” Trundy said. “Other years, it’s up and down a little bit.”
In 2021, the low retail price for the Ellsworth area was $11.99 per pound for a large lobster, according to data collected by The Ellsworth American. In 2020, $11.99 was the peak retail price.
The rise in prices is welcomed by the industry, which took a hit during the pandemic.
“I think catch price being up has helped,” said Ginny Olsen, a Stonington lobsterman and a board member with the Maine Lobstering Union.
She predicted that the total pounds of lobster may be down slightly, but that was made up for in the high prices. For her and other lobstermen in the region, they felt like this moment was a long time coming.
“It’s about time,” said David Horner, a Southwest Harbor lobsterman. “We like to make money, too. The amount of risk and investment is enormous.”
Some of that price increase is offset by rising cost of fuel and bait, but most lobstermen said that 2021 has been good to them.
Colyn Rich, a Bass Harbor lobsterman, guessed that his average boat price for lobsters in 2021 was about $7 a pound, which was several dollars more than his peak price last year.
“July and August were double what it was last year,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
What’s surprised Ron Doane, the manager of RDR Lobster in Trenton, is how willing the public seems to be to shell out for lobster.
“When they line up and pay $34 for a lobster roll, it goes beyond the imagination,” he said.
The market has changed over the years and with new rules and climate change already affecting the industry locally, things could continue to change for years to come. But for now, it’s simple supply and demand, according to Doane.
“We have more customers than we have lobsters,” he said.


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The new Allie’s Edibles shop has opened on Market Street today.
Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson went along to see how the shop looks.
David said: “Allie has done a fantastic job with the shop and it is really nice to see her enthusiasm for what she does.
“It is brilliant that we have filled another empty shop on Market Street.
“I will continue to promote our town centre so that we can celebrate the businesses we have and work to fill the other empty units.”
You can visit Allie’s Edibles at 17 Market Street or on Facebook here.


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News / More carriers extending network reach through air cargo alliances
Andres Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo, is facing a conundrum: his customers are increasingly looking ...
News / Airlines win new US military air freight contracts, but United stands back
Fourteen US airlines have won contracts, worth up to $228m over five years, from the ...
Recommends / IATA AGM in Cancun: where the top dogs bite on the big stories
There is a lot coming out of IATA’s AGM in Cancun at the moment – not ...
Recommends / US cargo airlines accuse majors of jeopardising Open Skies
US legacy carriers, in the guise of the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies, are set ...
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Donald Trump’s protectionist stance could widen the divide between US and Gulf carriers afterhe takes office ...
Comment / Analysis: Things must change with cargo under pressure at the 'Big Three' US airlines
Cargo activities are under a huge amount of pressure at the “Big Three” US airlines. ...
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Much corporate shenanigans over at United – well-explained by ATW. The shareholder revolt, caused by concern ...
News / FedEx weighs in against rival airlines over air cargo oversight in tussle for Cuba services
FedEx has criticised US passenger carriers for failing to address the issue of air cargo ...
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US military contracts may be dwindling, but they remain highly competitive and there is still money ...
- 1.DSV's 'opening gambit' for Panalpina could trigger rival bids
- 2.Supply chain radar: DSV bids for Panalpina at Sfr170 a share
- 3.Maersk to begin random container inspections over safety fears
- 4.Analysis: DSV + Panalpina – from Basel to the sleeping tiger of logistics disruption
- 5.Supply chain radar: Amazon vs container shipping lines – you're kidding, right?
- 1. David Pearson on TNT staff face uncertain future as FedEx eyes its European footprint, says insider
- 2. Joris Willems on Carriers defend new street turn charges shippers say are 'insane'
- 3. email@example.com on Carriers defend new street turn charges shippers say are 'insane'
- 4. Alex Lennane on Carriers defend new street turn charges shippers say are 'insane'
- 5. firstname.lastname@example.org on Carriers defend new street turn charges shippers say are 'insane'


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Owners Dave Hart and Dustin Miller had
always dreamed of opening a coffee shop together. Lifelong friends and
Ohio natives, the two spent a few years on separate journeys living in
and being inspired by different states along the West Coast and working
in multiple restaurants and cafes along the way.
Paralleling today's likely U.S. Supreme Court decision on California's Proposition 8, Clifton Performance Theatre is hosting a one-night performance of 8 at Ensemble Theatre tonight at 8 p.m. 8 is the real-life story about two loving same-sex couples living in California who want to get married but can't because in 2008 Proposition 8 took away the right for LGBT couples to ma...


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Experts at Witter Tow Bars have warned they have seen a massive rise in people purchasing used tow bars this year. However, some of these parts may have been involved in crashes and may not be safe to use on longer journeys.
Specialists have warned some drivers were being sold “original equipment” tow bars which are designed to be fitted when a vehicle is being built.
He said installing these on cars later down the line just “doesn’t work” as they urged road users to take precautions.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Witter spokesperson Adrian Parry-Jones said salvage yards were regularly to blame for the sale of damaged equipment.
He said: “People can advertise on social media sites, ebay, stuff like that.
READ MORE: Caravan owners warned over dangers of narrow streets on staycations
“Then Joe Bloggs will come to us and say I need a neck for this tow bar.
“Well, they have actually bought an original equipment tow bar which was designed to be fitted in a factory on a production line.
“They are trying to fit it aftermarket and they are trying to get spares for it aftermarket which just doesn’t work.”
Witter has previously warned the cheapest tow bars are not necessarily the best for regular road users.
Drivers could also be issued penalties for not complying with tow bar legislation.
The law says tow bars must be type approved for your vehicle to ensure they meet EU regulations.
Type approved tow bars have a label with an approval number and details of the vehicle’s it is approved for.
However, vehicles used before 1 August 1998 do not need to be fitted with a type-approved bar.


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We have always known that Android is here to stay. Now Google has actually posted a new YouTube clip on their AndroidDevelopers channel to give us a clear picture of the staggering growth of Android. The video shows how the number of new Android device activations have grown — at a whopping rate — in […]
The earliest rumors of the Gingerbread told us a thing that android 2.3 would have a minimum requirement of 1GHz, which broke many Droid 1 souls. But here we are, it’s confirmed that android 2.3 isn’t married to 1GHz only sort of beliefs and in fact, we’ve already discovered the custom ROMs for the original […]
Did the carrier branding in the notification bar (in its dropped down state) ever bothered you? The reason could be the either the ‘sheer hate feeling’ about the carrier or more importantly, it eating up your android phone’s screen space? Also, did the placement of the clear button (as explained in the pic below) seemed […]
3D TVS are still busting their guts to become people’s fav television, but the need to wear special glasses is really shying people off. The public outcry is already demanding glass-free 3D experience which seems quite inevitable now for 3D tech, become a household success. We know TVs will get there sometime, but what comes […]
Rumors about Motorola devices don’t even rest a day. We discussed Motorola Droid Xtreme only a few days back before pulling the Droid 2 leaked pics and rumored Specs. Looks like that angered the Droid Xtreme insiders who are back to steal the show back – with a new name. Again?
What do you think about how a 7 months old phone would hold against current generation of smart phones donning Qualcomm’s 1 Ghz processor and 512 MB ROM when thrown in a graphics test? We are talking about graphic test carried out by androidandme guys when they compared graphics ability of droid to the like […]
We already have Motorola Droid’s successor in Droid Xtreme and Droid 2 on their way thanks to recently leaked pics. But it seems, the market still has unabsorbed demand left in the ‘most sold’ android phone, the Droid, at least that is what Motorola’s Co-Chief Executive Sanjay Jha told reporters.


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The PSP and DS games will be enhanced versions of the 3D action game that has already appeared on PlayStation 2 and PC, each promised to "take advantage of the unique capabilities of the two consoles."
The PSP version is being developed by Tate Interactive, and will include an all-new Wi-Fi multiplayer mode. Up to four players will be able to take part in Arena battles, with a host of characters from the Asterix universe available to fight with.
The DS version, which is in the hands of Mistic Software, will incorporate a number of touch screen mini-games into the central game. Some additional Wi-Fi multiplayer games will also be available for gamers with a competitive streak.
Both games are scheduled for release across Europe in November.


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PR NewswireJan 30, 2014 2:07 PM By Tim Parry
Adyen sees total mobile growth of 55% year-over-year. Tablets are the preferred device for high value payments. Retail sector sees 36% growth in transaction volume.
PR NewswireJan 29, 2014 10:02 AM By MCM Staff
OnlineShoes.com, the nation’s first online shoe retailer announced new promotions and new hires to positions of leadership.
PR NewswireJan 29, 2014 9:57 AM By MCM Staff
tommee tippee, a baby bottle brand, announced its line Closer to Nature baby feeding products and accessories is now available on Amazon.
PR NewswireJan 27, 2014 11:51 AM By MCM Staff
Innotrac has released the findings of its SmartHub Holiday Promotions study which tracked the entire ecommerce experience from ordering, to shipping, packaging, customer service, and returns through the eyes of the customer.
PR NewswireJan 27, 2014 11:29 AM By MCM Staff
Flip Flop Shops announced a master franchise agreement with Middle East fashion leader, Al Mana Fashion Group, W.L.L., that includes significant global expansion with the development of 50 Flip Flop Shops retail locations throughout the region, including shops in Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
PR NewswireJan 27, 2014 11:28 AM By MCM Staff
“It Can Be Done, When We Do It Together” speaks to the RadioShack’s ability to collaborate with consumers to help them discover what is possible through technology.
PR NewswireJan 27, 2014 11:15 AM By MCM Staff
Craftsvilla.com, which is India’s largest online store for Indian products like jewellery, sarees, salwar suits, accessories and handicrafts, today announced launch of largest collection of Indian jewellery in the world.
PR NewswireJan 26, 2014 12:09 PM By MCM Staff
The DMA joins the ANM, ACMA and MPA in filing an appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, seeking relief from the recent Postal Regulatory Commission decision to allow an exigent postal increase set to take effect on Jan. 26.
PR NewswireJan 24, 2014 10:00 AM By MCM Staff
Grainger’s online presence faired very well in 2013, earning the B2B merchant $3 billion in ecommerce sales alone, according to its annual financial report. Overall, Grainger saw a 5% increase in total sales, equating to $9.4 billion, however, the merchant said its ecommerce presence represent “the fastest growing and most profitable channel in the business.”
PR NewswireJan 23, 2014 4:45 PM By MCM Staff
The Home Depot will work with Blinds.com to expand its technology into homedepot.com and the company’s stores with the goal of improving the entire end-to-end buying process for window coverings.


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According to Reuters, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) has declared that its European unit Opel remains positive that sales growth in 2014 will be sufficient so that the company won’t need to make further cost cuts. The market reacted positively to the news and the company’s share price rose as much as 1.4%.
As per the company, Opel will achieve profitability by 2016. However, 2014 can prove challenging as the unit is expected to incur restructuring costs for ending vehicle production at its factory in Bochum, Germany.
To keep Opel on track to reach profitability, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) has implemented a 4 billion Euro ($5.5 billion) investment plan. General Motors remains optimistic about its European division as in the quarter ended Sep 30, 2013, the GM Europe (GME) segment posted a pretax loss of $214 million, versus the $487 million loss in the corresponding prior year quarter. This shows improvements in operations.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) recorded adjusted earnings of $1.6 billion or 96 cents per share in the third quarter of 2013, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents. On the other hand, the company had generated earnings of $1.6 billion or 93 cents per share in the prior year quarter.
Including a net loss of $0.9 billion or 51 cents per share from special items in the reported quarter, net income (on a reported basis) amounted to $0.7 billion or 45 cents, compared with $1.5 billion or 89 cents a share in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues in the quarter grew 3.7% year over year to $39 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $38.7 billion.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is one of the largest automobile producers in the world along with Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Toyota Motor Corp (ADR) (NYSE:TM). Currently, General Motors has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Disclaimer: This article is written by Zacks Equity Research and originally published at Zacks.com.


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Aston Martin confirmed that it was in talks with potential investors late last year, following a story broken by Autocar and RaceFans.net, which first revealed interest in the firm from Stroll. Both the Racing Point F1 team and Aston Martin currently have bases at Silverstone, although Aston’s headquarters are in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Aston, Stroll and Geely have not commented on the latest reports.
The majority of Aston’s shares are currently held by the Kuwait-based Adeem/Primewagon group, while the Strategic European Investment Group, part of the Italian private equity group Investindustrial, currently holds around a one-third holding in the company. Mercedes parent Daimler also owns 4% of the firm – as well as supplying engines to the Racing Point F1 team owned by Stroll.
Both Geely and Lawrence Stroll have so far declined to comment on any of the reports.
The firm has come under intense scrutiny since floating in 2018, with a valuation of around £4.5bn. Today the share price has fallen by around 80% from that point.
Earlier this year Aston issued an unexpected profit warning due to “challenging trading conditions”. Revealing the firm sold 5819 cars in 2019, 7% down on 2018, chief executive Andy Palmer said Aston had suffered a “very disappointing year [in 2019]”.
“The challenging trading conditions highlighted in November continued through the peak delivery period of December resulting in lower sales, higher selling costs and lower margins,” said Palmer.
As a result Palmer said that Aston’s earnings margin for 2019 will be 12.5-13.5 per cent. Last summer it issued a warning that the margin would be 20%, triggering a substantial fall in its stock price. Palmer added that adjusted earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation will be £130-140m, around £60m below expectations.
Palmer also revealed Aston spent more on marketing and underwriting finance than previously.
“Whilst we are disappointed with trading performance in 2019, our focus is now on revitalising the business, launching DBX and ensuring profitable growth in the medium-term,” added Palmer.
Additional reporting by Dieter Rencken


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Product of the Year is back and on a mission to discover and celebrate the UK’s most innovative new products and packaging for 2020.
Now in its 16th year, Product of the Year is the UK’s biggest and most comprehensive annual study of product and packaging innovation. With more than 10,000 consumers voting in the UK and upwards of 200,000 globally, Product of the Year recognises and rewards the new and the innovative providing a robust consumer seal of approval.
Conducted by Kantar TNS, the world’s largest research company, products are voted for by the consumer for the consumer with the winning products earning the right to display the iconic red Product of the Year logo.
Over the years, brilliant examples of packaging innovation and invention have scooped multiple Product of the Year awards: Carte Noire coffee in refillable packs, the Heinz ketchup bottle turned on its head to ease out the last drops, the Friction Free Shaving razor cutting down on waste with a long-lasting, rose gold razor handle and a recyclable cardboard box, delivered straight to the door. Packaging design that solves problems be it environmental, functional or simply a practical solution that benefits the consumer.
Judged for their level of innovation in packaging design among a variety of other criteria, the winning products benefit hugely. 86% of shoppers have revealed that they are more likely to buy a product that carries the Product of the Year logo with brands recording an average sales increase of 10-15% with some uplifts as high as 135%.
This year, the introduction of the new Blogger Panel, as well as extensive influencer activation, has also ensured stand out social media visibility for the winning brands.
Commenting on the 2020 awards, Mike Nolan, CEO, Product of the Year says: “In 2020 we want to celebrate the brands that have launched products that are positively influencing consumers lives and providing them with everyday excellence they can rely on and packaging is a big part of this. Over the years, packaging innovations have become a barometer of changing consumer attitudes, wants and needs and we’re excited to celebrate the very best of 2020.”
Product of the Year 2020 is now open for entries and brands can enter the award here via this link here.


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Tokyo — Toshiba reported Tuesday that group operating profits declined 25 percent in its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, to $394 million, as the company’s revenue increased 5 percent to $17.6 billion from $16.8 billion.
At the same time group net profit rose 11 percent in the quarter after a major real estate sell-off in downtown Tokyo, the company said. Net profit came to $755 million in the fiscal third quarter, up from $679 million a year earlier. The gain was largely due to a $1.2 billion special profit from the sale of a building and land in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
The Japanese electronics conglomerate attributed operating profit decline to compressed prices for its NAND chip products. Toshiba said that the company expects NAND flash prices to fall 50 percent this fiscal year.
Overall consolidated sales for the period were $48.8 million.
Not indicated were results of Toshiba’s aggressive promotion of the HD DVD format in the period, but company executives said strong sales for PCs, industrial systems and medical devices, and increased revenue from its Westinghouse U.S. nuclear power unit, should make up for losses in microchips and HD DVD in the next quarter.


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North West has taken on one of the favorite looks of her mother, Kim Kardashian — and the Internet is not having it. On Monday, North was spotted in a dress with a corset, and it wasn’t long before fans took to Twitter in outrage.
Many took issue with the fact that a young child was wearing such a body-conscious piece of clothing — one that's traditionally used as shapewear. What’s more, the constriction aspect of the look’s silhouette was also called into question. It seems, though, that not many took a good, hard look at the paparazzi shots, as they would have revealed to the world that the corset on North’s dress was more of a sartorial detail than an actual structure.
After the Internet totally freaked out about North’s look, Kim was forced to point out on Twitter that the slip dress was, in fact, an optical illusion. Though it seemed to be corseted on the front, it was really only a piece of fabric sewn on half the dress, leaving the back totally free. Alongside a posted video, Kim wrote, “I would never put my daughter in a corset! It’s a dress I bought that is a cotton fabric that laces up & looks like a corset! Just decoration.”


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Russian Sistema arm in home WiFi
Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), which operates under MTS brand name, on
Wednesday announced its entry into the home WiFi segment as the telecom operator eyes increased revenues from data usage.
SSTL -- controlled by Russian conglomerate Sistema -- is eyeing the home WiFi segment, which is a small but growing in India, as more and more smart device users log on to WiFi networks at their homes and offices to surf the Internet.
“This launch marks a strategic shift in focus for MTS from being primarily a dongle driven data company to a WiFi solutions provider,” the firm said in a statement. The specially designed Homespot Instant WiFi solution comes with an MBlaze Ultra dongle which works with a simple plug and play mechanism and can provide high speed broadband access to 5 users simultaneously including smartphone customers, it added.
According to various industry estimates, the Indian WiFi market is in the range of Rs 35,000-40,000 crore.
MTS said that prepaid users opting for Rs 499 per month plan will get 5GB of data along with free WhatsApp and Viber.
Prepaid users just need to pay Rs 1299 to get the device with 10 GB bundled data usage, while postpaid users need to pay just Rs 999, it added.


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The Co-op Group has revealed a sharp slide in profits for the past six months in the face of surging energy and labour costs.
The retail and funeral care firm revealed that pre-tax profits tumbled 84% to £7 million over the six months to July 2, compared with £44 million over the same period last year.
It came as the Co-op said profits in its food operation fell by £27 million year-on-year due to rising costs.
The group added that it was impacted by a surge in energy costs – which rose to £59 million from £41 million – and £21 million impairment in the value of a number of its food shops.
The retailer highlighted that its finances will be bolstered by its £600 million deal to sell its petrol forecourt business to rival Asda, which is due to complete in the current half-year.
Meanwhile, sales slowed to flatline over the half-year at £5.6 billion.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, who was appointed chief of the group earlier this year, said: “Against a highly challenging economic backdrop, we have made significant progress in strengthening our balance sheet, whilst continuing to support the needs of our colleagues, members, customers and the communities in which we operate.
“Our clear focus on developing our businesses, whilst controlling costs, improving our cash position and reducing debt is paying dividends.
“Looking ahead, while we are mindful of the continued economic challenges, we have great confidence in the underlying strength of the Co-op and all our businesses.”
It came as the Co-op also revealed plans to invest £37 million into a shake-up of its food strategy.
This will include price reduction across 120 popular own brand products and renewed focus on convenience stores, the group said.
Ms Khoury-Haq added: “As we face into a cost-of-living crisis we are determined to make life fairer for our members, customers and communities in these extraordinary times, and lowering prices for shoppers is the first step in our strategy.”


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KTM in 2019 acquired the Spanish off-road specialise brand GasGas consolidating its position as one of the top motorcycle brand’s in Europe. Now a media report suggests that KTM might be planning to bring GasGas into the Indian market towards the end of 2021, widening the horizon of customers in the Indian market. Furthermore, GasGas motorcycles are likely to be sold via KTM showrooms in India, a strategy similar to the Husqvarna motorcycles.
GasGas Motorcycle Models for India
Speculations are that GasGas will retail three motorcycle models in India two based on the KTM 790 Duke and a smaller quarter-litre motorcycle. The 250cc GasGas is likely to use the KTM 250 Duke engine platform and is likely to be an enduro-style motorcycle. The other two 790-based models could be and enduro and an adventure-style motorcycle as the premium offering. The motorcycles are likely to come with high levels of localisation in the engine and chassis department and some parts including the bodywork could come via the import route. The brand could heavily localise the quarter-litre model in India to keep its price competitive in the hotly contested segment.
GasGas retails a 250cc model in the international market with a price tag of EUR 9,700 which translates to approximately INR 8.5 lakh but the reports suggest that the hardcore off-roader will not make it to the price-sensitive Indian market as there seems no viability for the product. The enduro segment which currently consists of only the Hero Xpulse 200 in the small capacity road-legal segment and will face a tough competitor if the brand is able to position the quarter-litre GasGas to likeable pricing. The brand though is likely to target the high mindshare clientele with the GasGas and position it as a hardcore enduro motorcycle for enthusiasts and budding off-road racers.
Sources suggest that knocked-down kits have already reached the Indian soil and if things go according to plan the motorcycle could make its debut in India, later this year. Expect prices to be slightly premium over the KTM 250 Adventure.


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The accolade was bestowed on Kale for its provision of game-changing community platforms and enterprise solutions to the global logistics industry
Mumbai, XX April 2022: Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale), trusted IT partner to the global logistics industry, was presented with the Best IT Solution Provider award at the India Cargo Awards 2022 on 30th March.
Kale received the award for its services to the sector, and for demonstrating how technology can be a game changer for the Logistics industry.
By leveraging next-generation technology, Kale has designed differentiated digital interventions to offer host of business possibilities to the industry during the pandemic.
“This recognition reflects our vision and strategy, investments in innovation, customer-centric approach, and comprehensive portfolio of products and services,” said Vineet Malhotra, Co-Founder & Director, Kale Logistics Solutions.
“I thank all our customers for the great trust they continue to place in us.
“We continue to build the capabilities needed to drive their growth and transformation journeys.”
The India Cargo Awards are the first all-India platform to recognize the organizations behind the success of the cargo and logistics industries.
Winners of the awards are decided through a unique and unbiased internet-voting based system.
The awards were established by the DDP Group, a leading B2B publishing house in India, South Asia, and the Middle East.
The awards ceremony was held at Hotel Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar, New Delhi, India, on the 30th March 2022 in the presence of industry colleagues.
In India, over 80% of cross-border cargo runs on Kale’s systems, and it now counts Mumbai International Airport, Bengaluru International Airport, Delhi International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Ahmedabad International Airport and many more amongst its customers.
All of these entities are handling cargo seamlessly using Kale’s best-in-class systems to reduce cargo dwell times, improve trade visibility and increase process transparency.
“Given our global footprint of 95 cargo handler sites across the world, we offer an unparalleled stack of solutions which are designed to empower all stakeholders of the supply chain,”
said Suneet Gupta, AVP, Trade Facilitation, Kale Logistics Solutions.
“We envision to make technology available to all to accelerate global trade. We look forward to many such recognitions this year.”
Kale recently went live with its Port Community System in Indonesia and Thailand, additionally completing a proof of concept for its Truck Slot Management solution with WFS at New York JFK Airport last month.


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The team at smart home platform maker IOTAS is starting 2017 in Las Vegas with thousands of other technologists at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The Portland startup is picking up a CES innovation award for its IOTAS Smart Apartment Platform, which aims to bring smart home living to renters. When renters move between IOTAS-outfitted apartments, their preferences move with them.
The trip to Vegas is designed to boost consumer exposure for the company.
“We are not a consumer based company but we do want consumers to know about us,” said founder and CEO Sce Pike, noting that the company sells to real estate developers and ownership groups. “Awareness by consumers means when they rent an apartment, we want them to know a smart apartment by IOTAS is different from any other apartments. That is key.”
In Vegas, IOTAS will be demonstrating its second generation product, which includes its own designed-and-built smart home hub. This device allows for large-scale deployment of the system and offers features that weren’t found on the off-the-shelf hubs the company used in its first generation product.
Those features include long-range wireless and battery back-up.
The IOTAS system works with 30 devices per apartment and allows renters or property managers to control utilities, lighting and other features with a mobile app. The software system works with smart devices developed by other companies such as Google and Amazon.
From the start, Pike sought ways to spread smart homes to the rental market. The company generates revenue from hardware sales and a flat software service fee charged to the building owner or manager. The renter does not pay to have a profile on the system or use the mobile app.
The company, founded in 2014, has grown to a team of 12 people. By the end of 2016 the company will have 300 units using its system. That includes 100 units in Portland’s Grant Park Village.
More units in the Portland metro will soon be on the system through a partnership between IOTAS, Oregon BEST and Portland State University designed to study energy efficiency. The Indigo in downtown Portland, Vector Apartments in Hillsboro, and Brooklyn Yard in Milwaukie will each have 30 units on the IOTAS system as part of the pilot.
Additionally, the company has buildings in San Francisco and southern California running pilots. New programs in the South and Midwest are also up and running or getting started, Pike said.
The company is generating revenue from these pilots, she added, though it is not yet profitable. So far, it has been funded with $2.2 million split between angel and small seed venture capital and government grants.
“2017 for us will be converting pilots to full building roll-out,” she said. “And fully integrating with large (Internet of Things) players and some retailers.”
IOTAS will be joined in Vegas by other Oregon companies both large and small for the annual conference. Also headed to CES to exhibit are names like Intel, FLIR and Elemental Technologies and others.


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As the first nation hit with the COVID-19 outbreak, China is now starting to see the other side, and industries like the manufacturing sector are already starting to bounce back.
There is no question that the world is in crisis. We are facing a pandemic that is reaching into all parts of the world and is having a dramatic impact on people’s health and daily lives. The COVID-19 pandemic is also having a significant economic impact, with many people out of work and several industries coming to a standstill.
Due to the rapid propagation of the virus and the inability to have people working in close quarters, many Western manufacturing businesses have had to close their operations in order to meet government guidelines or measures. Several manufacturers have also transitioned their production to help meet the high demand in the medical sector for PPE, ventilator components and more. The slow down or shifting of existing manufacturing operations has consequently affected supply chains across the Western world, resulting in gaps or weaknesses.
Being based in China, we at RapidDirect know first-hand the devastating effects of the virus. At the same time, being from the first nation to experience the coronavirus outbreak, we also are starting to see the other side of it, and things are gradually starting to get back to normal.
With the first reported cases of COVID-19 being reported in China in January, the country quickly put in measures to stem the spread of the virus from the epicenter in Wuhan. As the world knows, the cases rose rapidly across the country in early February, reaching nearly 80,000 confirmed cases by the end of the month. Over the course of March, however, strict lockdown measures across the country proved to be working: under 2,000 new cases were reported last month, curbing the exponential rise in cases we experienced earlier.
In light of this, the country is slowly loosening lockdown measures. In Shenzhen, where RapidDirect is based, workers have started going back to their jobs and things are starting to regain some sense of normalcy. For example, in March, the production index for supply and demand and the new order index were 54.1% and 52%, respectively—an increase of 26.3% and 22.7% based on the previous month. Additionally, the fact that the production index was 2.1% higher than the new order index showcases that China’s manufacturing capacity has started to recover.
The RapidDirect team returned to work on March 1 and we are happy to report that our operations are up and running again. In light of the pandemic and the infectious nature of COVID-19, we at RapidDirect are continuing to implement safety measures at our offices and facilities to protect the health of our workers. Recommended policies, like physical distancing and mask-wearing, are in practice at our factories and will continue to be followed until the pandemic is over. Our team of workers is essential to what we do and our manufacturing services would be nothing without them, so their health is our utmost priority.
With these measures in place, we are fulfilling orders for our customers around the world every day. Our full team is active, working closely with clients to optimize products and deliver the highest quality parts in the fastest amount of time. By working with us, businesses can overcome supply chain hurdles caused by COVID-19 and receive their prototypes or end-use parts directly from us, the manufacturer. We offer some of the manufacturing industry’s most competitive lead times and pricing schemes.
If you are looking for a manufacturing partner that can meet your rapid prototyping needs today, don’t hesitate to get in touch! With our extensive manufacturing capability, we are available to take orders to help meet production demand across the globe. Read more about our various manufacturing services and learn the benefits of working with a China-based rapid prototyping service.


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HYDERABAD: Cargo traffic at the five Minor Ports in Andhra Pradesh (AP) combined has witnessed a decline during 2016-17 as compared to the previous fiscal owing to various factors including an overall downturn in global shipping trade.
The five Minor Ports of AP handled around 69.6 million tonnes (mt) of cargo during 2016-17 as compared to 72.7 mt in 2015-16. As per data provided by the AP Ports Department, four out of the five Minor Ports showed a decline in cargo traffic during the 2016-17 fiscal.
Cargo traffic at the five Minor Ports in AP combined has witnessed a decline during 2016-17 as compared to the previous fiscal owing to various factors including an overall downturn in global shipping trade.
Elaborating on the reasons for the decline, a Ports Department official said “overall downturn in global shipping trade” was one of the major factors followed by reduction of iron ore imports due to increased domestic production. Also, the reduction of coal movement through ports due to the Government policy of encouraging domestic production through Coal India Limited also led to reduction in imports, affecting cargo traffic in the Minor Ports.
Ports Department officials said reduction of freight charges by railways also led to power producing companies moving towards railways for cargo movement.
Incidentally, AP has witnessed a capacity addition of 51% in the last three years among its Minor Ports. While the overall capacity to handle cargo in Minor Ports was around 121.30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2014-15, it has increased to 184.24 mt in 2016-17.


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Love can easily turn to hate when an online romance transforms into an online romance scam. Unfortunately, these scams are on the rise.
From 2020 to 2021, the number of romance scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jumped from 33,000 to 56,000. And losses attributed to these scams, including those connected to credit cards, hit a record-high $547 million in 2021. These figures don’t fully reflect the enormity of romance scams, though, as many of them go unreported.
What role do credit cards play in romance scams?
While the majority of romance scammers steal money through gift cards, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, payment services, bank transfers or wire transfers, some of these crooks rely on credit cards to squeeze their victims.
Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, explains that a romance scammer might ask a victim to obtain a cash advance on a credit card and then send the cash in another form, such as a wire transfer or payment service.
“They may even talk the victim into sharing their credit card details so they can make purchases themselves,” Velasquez says.
The ways that romance scammers defraud their victims are “limited only to their imagination,” she says.
What help is available from a credit card company if you’ve been victimized by a romance scammer?
The news about recovering money lost in a credit card-related romance scam is even sadder than a breakup on Valentine’s Day.
Velasquez says it’s “very challenging” for a victim to recoup money lost in a credit card-related romance scam because, unlike identity fraud or traditional credit card fraud, these transactions are typically authorized by the legitimate cardholder.
“In cases of identity fraud or traditional credit card fraud, the legitimate cardholder was not involved in the transaction at all,” she says.
In a typical situation, a victim discovers that someone else has used their card or account without permission, and the transactions are reimbursed to the cardholder as required by federal law, according to Velasquez. But the law normally doesn’t cover credit card-related losses in a romance scam because the legitimate cardholder usually authorized the transactions.
Velasquez encourages a victim in this scenario to immediately report a suspected scam to the credit card issuer. However, she adds, the victim shouldn’t expect to see any of the lost money.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the card issuer to decide whether or not it’s going to hold you liable for purchases or cash advances,” credit expert John Ulzheimer notes.
How can you avoid being the victim of a romance scam?
Velasquez recommends always being vigilant about protecting your assets to reduce the chances of being trapped in a romance scam.
“Romance scammers build relationships quickly and make false promises,” she says.
Look for these red flags when you’re being romanced by someone online:
- Your sweetheart proclaims their love too quickly. Take things slowly if your love interest is trying to speed up the relationship. Be suspicious if things appear to be getting serious, especially if you haven’t seen each other in person.
- Your sweetheart asks for financial help. Experts suggest rejecting any monetary requests, no matter how sincere or desperate the person sounds, unless you’ve met your love interest in person. “The bottom line is that love does not equal money,” says Velasquez.
- Your sweetheart makes excuses for being unable to meet in person. The scammer might claim they’re living or traveling outside the country, working on an oil rig, stationed at a faraway military installation or working with an international organization, the FTC says.
- Your sweetheart’s online presence is sketchy. Ulzheimer recommends digging into your love interest’s background on the web and on social media to avoid being sucked into a romance scam. The FTC suggests being on the lookout for phony online profiles, particularly on Facebook or Instagram. For instance, you should do a reverse image search if you suspect the person’s profile photo is fake.
- You sweetheart wants to take things offline. Experts suggest sticking to the dating app or website where you met your love interest. Don’t give out your email address or phone number.
- You’re gullible. Romance scammers typically prey on people who are “way too trusting,” Ulzheimer says. Always keep your guard up when dealing with an online love interest, and stop chatting with them if you believe they may be a scammer.
How much money is lost in romance scams?
The FTC reported that Americans lost $1.3 billion to romance scams from 2017 through 2021. “Because the vast majority of frauds are not reported to the government, this figure reflects just a small fraction of the public harm caused by romance scams,” says the FTC.
The median individual loss in 2021 was $2,400.
Over the years, total losses in romance scams have skyrocketed. The following chart shows the escalation of the monetary damage.
Victims of romance scams often send money repeatedly, thinking they’re doing good by helping someone they care about, according to the FTC.
“Romance scammers weave all sorts of believable stories to con people, but their old standby involves pleas for help while claiming one financial or health crisis after another,” says the FTC. “The scammers’ stories might involve a sick child or a temporary inability to get to their money for a whole range of reasons.”
The following chart shows a breakdown of the median individual loss by age group for romance scams reported in 2021.
70 and over
Median individual loss in 2021 per age group
Source: Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network
In some cases, the individual losses can be enormous.
In January 2023, a Florida woman named Peaches Stergo was accused of stealing the life savings — more than $2.8 million — of an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor in a romance scam. The scam lasted about four years, and the victim eventually had to give up his apartment.
In a news release, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Stergo allegedly deceived the victim with the intent of “maliciously draining his life savings so she could become a millionaire through fraud. Stergo forged documents and impersonated a bank employee in exchange for a life of fancy trips, Rolex watches and luxury purchases.”
February is a particularly vulnerable time for romance scams, but the risk remains yearlong. Just as you would practice caution with your finances in any other aspect of your life, it’s especially important to be mindful when it comes to romance, too.


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Xiaomi is going to launch a new smartphone series called Pocophone and first smartphone of this series will be F1 as rumored. It is going to be officially announced in a few days. Phone is already leaked on Geekbench with 8 GB RAM. This phone is leaked second time on benchmark in the period of one week.
The single-core result of 2451 and the multi-core score of 8998 are on similar levels with other Snapdragon 845-powered phones like the OnePlus 6, Xiaomi Mi 8, HTC U12+ etc. The listing actually confirms there is a Pocophone F1 with 8 GB RAM.
According to a leaked video, the F1 is expected to have a 5.99 IPS display with a notch on the top. On the rear, there is vertical dual camera setup, and a fingerprint scanner. Rumors also suggest a 4,000 mAh battery and since the chipset will be Qualcomm, it will support Quick Charge 3.0, but we know Xiaomi is capable of boosting Quick Charge 4.0 exclusively to the Indian market.