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41% of tablet owners say they use their device to extend their TV experience to various activities such as looking up, posting, and chatting about what they are watching on TV, according to a January 2012 study from Discovery Communications, which surveyed over a thousand Discovery Viewers on their media habits. Additionally, 53% said they use their iPad while watching TV to find other content. In fact, 43% of the device owners surveyed said they watch TV and go online simultaneously either all the time (18%) or some of the time (25%), compared to 33% of the non-iPad owners surveyed.
According to Nielsen data released in October 2011, 28% of tablet owners use their devices while watching TV several times a week, ahead of smartphone (24%) and e-reader (14%) users.
iPad Owners Better Multitaskers
The study found significant differences between iPad and non-iPad owners’ multitasking behaviors, with the former more likely to engage in activities connected to the content they consume on TV. For example, iPad owners were 17% more likely than their non-device-owning counterparts to conduct research related to what they were watching on TV, and also 17% more likely to view content related to what they were watching.
Meanwhile, iPad owners were 50% more likely to engage in social activities such as updating their status or tweeting while watching TV.
Simultaneous Platform Use Increases Ad Connection
Data from the “Video Perceptions Study” indicates that 45% of respondents who go online, use their iPad, or use their mobile device while watching TV are more likely to search for a product they saw advertised on TV. Roughly one-quarter feel more connected to the show they are watching as a result of going online, and almost 1 in 5 say they remember advertised products better.
- iPad owners consume more video content on devices other than TV than non-iPad owners. In fact, they are 86% more likely to watch more than 20 hours of video per week on alternative devices.
- iPad owners are also more likely to watch conventional TV for longer periods of time than those without the tablets.
- 74% of iPad owners say they primarily use their device as an entertainment device, while 63% say they do not foresee replacing their laptop/desktop with their device.


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Tesla Model X: Order Book Now Open In Australia, Q3 Deliveries Next Year
Tesla’s first SUV, the Model X, is set to be officially launched in the US in the coming weeks. After some ‘self-chosen’ delays to ensure the new EV is ready from Day One, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to pull the covers off the highly-a
Tesla’s first SUV, the Model X, is set to be officially launched in the US in the coming weeks.
Under those covers will be a car with similar design features to the Model X concept (pictured), including a seven-seat layout.
Tesla Australia’s Heath Walker told TMR that Tesla’s local arm was yet to determine if the seven-seat layout will be standard or optional, but the carmaker is now taking orders and deposits from potential local owners.
A fully-refundable $6000 deposit is required to secure a Model X, with deliveries expected to begin around this time next year.
Beyond the $6000, Mr Walker said pricing would be competitive against Tesla’s main rivals in the Model X’s large SUV class.

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Realme has started to tease about the launch of its first Quad camera smartphone in India, dubbed as Realme 5 Pro. The young smartphone maker is taking things next level by launching India’s first 48MP Quad Camera smartphone in its segment. Considering the price point, Realme deals at, we may see a new handset priced aggressively for the specifications it offers.
It was in mid-July when Realme unveiled its first pop-up selfie enabled smartphone in India. Dubbed as Realme X. Now on August 20, after a month, the handset maker is ready to unveil yet another phone for its consumers in the country. This time, the brand teases its new phone will be a Quad camera-enabled smartphone.
The new handset will be named Realme 5 Pro as per the teaser. Realme would be releasing this new phone in partnership with Flipkart. That means this new upcoming phone would be available for purchase on Flipkart. Realme is also believed to be introducing this as a series. Meaning there will be one more phone, probably dubbed as Realme 5.
Introducing #realme5Pro, India’s first 48MP Quad Camera smartphone in its segment! Witness the launch of the #QuadCameraSpeedster at 12:30 PM, 20th August. #JoinTheReal5quad
One more product on the way.
Know more: https://t.co/IczXkhy4lB pic.twitter.com/VcwdcG7zWU
— realme (@realmemobiles) August 13, 2019
What do we know about the Realme 5 Pro?
As per the official information, we know that it will be a Quad Camera setup phone. Sporting four sensors on the rear in a vertical manner as per the teaser poster on twitter and Flipkart. That’s as much the official information out about the upcoming Realme phone.
Now talking about the rumours, according to a leakster on Twitter, the new handset is believed to pack a Snapdragon 712 processor. Expect an AMOLED display with waterdrop notch style and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
The final specification mentioned by the leakster, Sudhanshu Ambhore is about the rear camera. He says it will be sporting the Sony IMX586 sensor as the primary sensor in the Quad Camera setup.
What do you guys think of the upcoming Realme 5 Pro? Let us know in the comment section below.


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From May 6 to 9, the Kolkata Ice Skating Rink will host a ‘Summer Look Book’ edition of the fashion and lifestyle retail fair The Haat, which will include firms from throughout the country.
According to the event organisers, the business-to-customer event would provide Kolkata locals with a one-stop-shop for summer fashion, with clothing spanning from traditional wear to ethnic wear and western wear. If the market and event are aimed at attracting affluent buyers of all ages, the bulk of participating brands will be in the bridge-to-luxury class.
The Haat runs numerous shopping events around Kolkata and held its most recent edition from April 5 to 6. The event was a, “huge success,” the event organisers announced on Facebook.


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Although it may have gotten lost in the noise of yesterday’s multitude of Samsung announcements, Google rolled out Android 12 Beta 4. With that release, Android 12 has hit the ‘platform stability’ stage, which essentially means it’s less like a beta than before.
In other words, what you see in Beta 4 is likely very close to the final product. There may be a few more changes to come, but probably nothing major at this point.
In the absence of the Galaxy Note series, Samsung's Galaxy S series has taken up the mantle of being the Read more
This follow-on to the S70, the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade replaces the older model's 96-layer TLC NAND with 176-layer Read more
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The next-gen Apple Watch is officially here, here’s how it compares to one of the Android alternatives, the Galaxy Watch Read more
After a year, Samsung has officially launched its newest member of the M-series in the Philippines, the Galaxy M32. It Read more
It’s that time of year again: endless speculation, renders and rumors before Apple finally drops a brand new Apple Watch. Read more
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series of smartphones aren't likely to have an under-camera display, according to yet another leak. This Read more
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is not playing around, allegedly The Samsung Galaxy S22 is expected to launch in early 2022, Read more
Samsung leads the mobile pack in many departments, but one area it lags far behind in is charging speeds, and Read more
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra could be set to receive a big boost to its charging speeds, though it still Read more
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 13 Pro, which is the company’s second-most expensive smartphone currently available. But how does it Read more
It is almost standard for higher-end smartphones these days to have screens with high refresh rates, some even going as Read more


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Angst among digital media CEOs as ads fall: is it time to sell?
LOS ANGELES] Pete Cashmore gathered employees of Mashable Inc a couple weeks ago for an all-staff meeting to discuss the potential sale of the online news company he founded in his living room 13 years ago.
Mr Cashmore, a 32-year-old Scotland native, wanted to keep control. Yet in recent months, he concluded Mashable would be better off as part of a larger company, and now he's close to selling out to Ziff Davis, the digital media arm of J2 Global Inc.
Mr Cashmore isn't alone. Mashable is one of at least a half dozen online media companies - including Defy Media and Uproxx Media - weighing whether to sell, according to people familiar with their efforts. With ads tough to sell and new capital hard to raise, dreams of creating new digital behemoths have given way to a more realistic view that survival may hinge on being part of a larger company.
"The industry needs some consolidation," said Rachel Lam, co-founder of Imagination Capital and former head of strategic investments at Time Warner Inc. "The people running small-scale digital publishing companies would all rather be part of a bigger entity."
For good reason. Over the past couple years, everyone from venerable magazine publishers like Time Inc and Conde Nast to digital upstarts Mashable and Uproxx have invested in original video in search of online advertising riches, a phenomenon dubbed the "pivot to video."
Yet few companies can subsist on the advertising sales generated by videos embedded on Facebook Inc and Google's YouTube.
The producers need money to develop more programming, but are struggling to grow as Facebook and Google vacuum up the vast majority of online advertising.
Their investors, meanwhile, are itching for a payoff. Traditional media companies and venture capital firms have invested billions of dollars in such businesses on the promise that new technologies and young readers would deliver rich returns and help traditional broadcasters and publishers find their footing online.
Their patience is wearing thin and money for future growth is drying up. Financial deals for digital media are on pace to shrink for a second straight year in 2017, according to CB Insights, which expects the number of transactions to slump to 120. That's a 32 per cent decline from the five-year high of 178 in 2015.
Digital media companies have notched some successes, and a few have demonstrated they have staying power.
Vice Media Inc, the independent, youth-minded outlet, now operates on cable TV, and with backers including Walt Disney has a private-market value pegged at US$5 billion.
Vox Media Inc has raised at least US$300 million, including US$200 million from Comcast Corp, and jointly sells ads with the cable operator's NBC division. BuzzFeed Inc has received US$400 million from NBC, valuing the company at about US$1.7 billion in late 2016.
Fusion Media Group, owned by Univision Holdings Inc, is seeking to sell a minority stake in its business, which includes the Onion and former Gawker Media assets like Deadspin, Gizmodo and Jezebel, for as much as US$200 million, according to a person familiar with the matter who confirmed an earlier report by Recode. The company is talking to potential partners in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the US, the person said.
But even bigger publishers aren't immune from the industry's pressures. Vice and BuzzFeed will both miss internal revenue targets this year, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Some outlets sold long before times got tough. The 2014 sale of Maker Studios to Disney for up to US$950 million netted a hefty return for Time Warner, Upfront Ventures and Greycroft Partners.
But for every success, there are more outlets in limbo. Bryan Goldberg, founder of Bustle, a website aimed at women, sees his company potentially picking up some of the operations that eventually get sold.
"2017 was an incredibly difficult year for digital media," Mr Goldberg said in an interview. "Small and more challenged digital media companies have been hit hard. This is a time for companies with cash flow and capital to start acquiring the more challenged digital assets."
Defy Media, the parent of online outlets like Smosh, Screen Junkies and Made Man, is considering a sale almost two years after raising US$70 million in a funding round led by Wellington Management Co, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private.
The company, which is based in New York, is in a much stronger position than Mashable, which once sought as much as US$300 million but now appears ready to accept much less. Defy produces 75 regularly scheduled programmes for television and online, and is working with major media partners including Viacom Inc.'s Comedy Central.
Uproxx Media, parent of the male-millennial focused BroBible and its namesake website, has hired an investment bank to evaluate possible offers, according to another person. The company didn't respond to emails seeking comment. Through mid-2016, the company had raised more than US$36 million from backers including WPP Plc, the world's largest advertising company.
Once a trailblazer in online media, Mashable has fallen behind larger rivals that expanded into video sooner. While still growing, sales at the company will exceed just US$50 million this year, with the company poised to break even, one of the people said.
That's enough to make Mashable fodder for sale, not a long-term bet for an independent future.
"You need to have a unique audience, a unique advertising proposition and unbelievable creative," said Doug Rozen, chief digital and innovation officer at OMD, part of the advertising company Omnicom Group Inc. "If you can deliver those three things, you are going to find yourself on the better end of the spectrum, or at least the survival end."


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Sistema JSFC announces that its subsidiary LLC LesInvest (part of Segezha Group) has acquired a controlling stake in OJSC Lesosibirsk LDK No. 1, the largest vertically integrated wood processing enterprise in Russia, based in Krasnoyarsk region.
Fyodor Potapenko, who has served for many years as head of Segezha Group’s Sokol Wood Processing Plant, a producer of high-quality lumber and wood products for housing construction, was appointed as the new CEO of Lesosibirsk LDK No. 1.
The management of Segezha Group has already commenced integration of the Lesosibirsk plant into the Group and realisation of synergies with existing product lines.
Sergei Pomelov, President of Segezha Group, said: “The Lesosibirsk plant has favourable conditions for further successful growth: a significant forest resources base and modern logging and sawmilling capabilities. With the acquisition of this asset, Segezha Group has expanded its presence in Russia, and is diversifying its business geographically. By more than doubling the raw materials volumes processed at its sawmills, the group has become a leader in the production and sale of sawn timber in Russia. The product range offered to customers has been expanded by adding new types of wood that are in demand on the market: larch and Angara pine.”


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Usdaw is calling on the Chancellor to address these key issues in his Spring Statement:
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says:
- Help for the lowest paid with the cost of living crisis by scrapping the NI increase and providing more assistance with rising fuel and energy costs.
- Ensure work pays with a new deal for workers, a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour immediately and an end to insecure contracts.
- Reform Universal Credit so that low-paid workers have a proper social security system that they can rely on.
- Introduce a windfall tax on the huge profits of North Sea oil and gas producers, and use the money to protect the most vulnerable.
- Develop a retail recovery plan to tackle the immediate crisis on our high streets, help save jobs and tackle long-term structural issues in the retail industry.
“Too many low-paid key workers, who kept the country going through the pandemic, were already struggling to make ends meet and now find themselves in a cost of living crisis. In a recent members’ survey, over three-quarters said they are now worse off than last year, with most of them relying on unsecured borrowing to pay bills and over half now struggling to keep up with repayments. They need clear action from Government.
“Next Wednesday the Chancellor has the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of key workers who were essential to us getting through the pandemic. They are looking for him to scrap the National Insurance increase due in April; increase financial support for those facing fuel poverty, funded by a windfall tax on highly profitable energy companies; develop a proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide a safety net, and immediately increase the minimum wage to at least £10 for all workers.
“Walking down any high street we can all see that the retail sector has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Usdaw is looking for the Government to work with unions and businesses to develop an urgent recovery plan for retail, looking at the wider pressures facing the sector such as business rates, rents and lease arrangements. This plan should also include continued support for local authorities to help them revitalise their local high street, making them hubs for our communities.
“We urgently need to level the playing field between online and bricks-and-mortar retail, something Usdaw and many major retailers have called on the Government to do. A 1% online sales levy could raise around £1.5 billion and fund a 20% cut in the current outdated and imbalanced commercial property tax.
“A retail recovery plan must also recognise the contribution of the people who work in the industry. For too long retail has been a byword for low pay and insecure jobs. If we want retail to prosper, we need to make sure that retail jobs are good jobs. We hope the Chancellor is listening.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers)
is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
Usdaw’s New Deal for Workers Campaign: https://www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/A-New-Deal-for-Workers
Usdaw’s Save our Shops Campaign: https://www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Save-Our-Shops-(1)
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news
and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion


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Younger generations of consumers are not sold on Aussie-made products, according to research published by Roy Morgan Research this week.
Despite 71% of the Australian population agreeing that they try to buy Australian-made as often as possible, under half of Generation Z (those born 1995-2009), say they try to buy Australian-made.
The most die-hard, patriotic consumers are the older generations such as pre- and Baby Boomers, with more than eight out of 10 saying they try to buy Aussie-made products.
Australian Made chief executive, Ian Harrison, told SmartCompany he wasn’t surprised by the research findings.
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“The older generations have seen the wheel go round in the good times and the bad times and perhaps have a bit more of an understanding than the younger people of the need to invest back into our own economy and community,” he says.
“On the other hand, younger Australians have been brought up in an environment that is almost dominated by imports in terms of the type of clothing and electronic equipment that they are buying.”
Harrison says in the lead up to Australia Day it is more important than ever for businesses that consumers buy Australian.
“The reason Australian consumers should buy Aussie products and produce are twofold, one they get a very good product because our standards are so high, our safety standards, our quality standards, our environmental standards, but the second reason is that they are investing back into the Australian community,” he says.
“It has been a very tough marketplace for many Australian manufacturers, food processors and farmers in recent years because our costs are very high and the Australian dollar has been very high because of the resources sector.”
Harrison says Australia Day celebrations give the buy Australian campaign a boost in the mid of consumers.
“The wonderful thing about Australia Day is that many Australians have a patriotic and nationalistic view and that is a characteristic that is not always evident in Australia so we welcome Australia Day and think there’s scope for Australians to make every day Australia Day,” he says.
Warren Reid, group account manager of consumer products at Roy Morgan Research, said far from consciously deciding to avoid buying Australian-made, younger generations are often given no choice.
“The type of products they buy just aren’t manufactured here, or if they are, they’re more expensive,” he said.


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Rainbow Six Siege's massive Operation Chimera update is now upon us, ushering in Year 3 with two new operators and a co-op zombie mode called Oubreak, which Evan enjoyed his early look at. The effect on player numbers has been immediate: the game reached a peak concurrent player count of 176,856 on Steam today, smashing its previous best.
Its popularity has exploded in recent months. According to SteamCharts data, its peak player count is now triple what it was just six months ago and already 50,000 more than its peak during February, which is a hell of a feat for a game that's more than two years old. That data doesn't include anybody playing on Uplay, either.
The Operation Chimera update also made all weapon attachments free for everybody, which is nice, and all of the original 20 operators are now free if you've purchased the Advanced, Gold or Complete Editions (although players that have already paid real money for the attachments or operators won't get a refund).
Ubisoft isn't done tinkering yet, and during Year 3 it will add a map pick-and-ban system, rework the Hereford Base map, and more. You can find out all about the upcoming changes here.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and some players are upset about recent changes to the game's business model. The most upvoted post in the game's subreddit is a thread chronicling the complaints, chief among them the fact that limited-time cosmetic item bundles, called Outbreak Packs, will only be purchasable with real money, a move that the original thread's creator calls "anti-consumer".
Players are also upset about the lack of refunds for weapon attachments and operators, as mentioned above. If you spent a lot of money unlocking all those operators a month ago then tough luck, because you're not getting it back.
The update has come with a few bugs, too, which Ubisoft has detailed in this Reddit thread. They include some players not receiving four free Outbreak packs (which everyone was meant to) and "intermittent disconnections". If you're experiencing any problems, head to the thread to find out more.


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STUDENTS in Liverpool are turning old jumble into quirky bags to raise awareness of waste in the fashion industry.
Working with disability charity Scope, the Fashion: Design and Communication students from Liverpool John Moores University, took clothes destined for the bin to make the eye-catching products which they are donating back to the charity.
With slogans like ‘stick it to the brand, buy second hand’, the say their message is relevant and urgent.
First-year student Thalia Traynor said: “The fashion industry is responsible for a huge amount of waste that is wrecking the planet. There is huge discussion on social media about sustainability and brands now have no choice but to make more conscious choices and improve their carbon footprints as they are being held responsible.”
More than 300,000 tonnes of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year.
The Bags from Rags project is launched on Monday, 20 January at the Scope (Liverpool) store in Lord Street.
Store manager Dawn Woodall, said: “We estimate that each bag of donations is worth around £20. This could pay for two free calls to the experts on the Scope Helpline who give invaluable advice and support to disabled people and their families.”
The students, coordinated by module leader Marc Provins, have created reported their work on Instagram stories.


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Long term care insurance carriers are adding new product features in an effort to improve sales.[@@]
- Aetna Inc., Hartford, has added a number of enhancements to its group LTC benefits, including shared care, which transfers remaining coverage to a surviving spouse when the member dies.
- John Hancock Financial Services Inc., Boston, has been looking to increase sales by introducing benefits that appeal to younger consumers, says Michele Van Leer, executive vice president of the company’s LTC division.
“We put in a double indemnity rider so that if a person needs care as a result of an accident prior to age 65, we’ll double the benefit,” Van Leer says.
Another Hancock option gives buyers the choice of taking a shorter benefit period in exchange for higher daily benefits.
- New York Life Insurance Company is offering a well-received inflation-protection feature, the CPI-U benefit. The benefit is tied to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index-Urban Inflation rate.
Most competing inflation-protection benefits protect consumers by using standard simple interest or compound interest formulas.
Pegging inflation protection to the CPI-U should do a better job of protecting consumers against increases in actual prices, says Kenneth Grubb, a senior vice president at New York Life’s long term care operation.
“About half of the people who are buying our LTC policy are selecting that feature,” Grubb says.
- UnumProvident Corp., Chattanooga, Tenn., has updated its group LTC quote process to allow employers more leeway in customizing plans to fit their employees’ income levels and other employee demographics, says Michael Simonds, vice president of product and market development for UnumProvident.
Carriers are also expanding home care provisions, to appeal to consumers leery of extended nursing home stays.
Among consumers, “9 out of 10 want to stay home if they need care,” says Buck Stinson, president of the LTC business at Genworth Financial Inc., Richmond, Va.
One product Genworth sells, Privileged Choice, requires no elimination period for claims for home care. It also is more flexible than standard policies when it comes to paying for care provided by family members.
Some LTC carriers are upgrading policies by turning features that once were optional riders into standard product features.
New York Life, for example, has added a restoration-of-benefits feature to some policies. If an individual receives benefits for a few months, the restoration feature makes it so that those months are gradually added back to the policy once the policyholder emerges from care.
New York Life also embedded limited worldwide coverage in policies. That feature lets policyholders who are stricken with long-term illnesses while they are overseas receive benefits overseas until they are well enough to return to the United States.
“It’s a nice benefit to have if something happens to you overseas,” Grubb says.


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Singapore is ramping up its Electric Vehicle (EV) plans as it brings forward its target of a net-zero city “by or around mid-century”, in alignment with the Glasgow Climate Pact. With each new initiative announced, Singapore is taking a big step towards its goal to be a truly green city.
In February 2021, the Singapore government unveiled the Singapore Green Plan 2030 (SGP30). Part of this plan includes a comprehensive EV roadmap to help raise awareness of the benefits of EVs to both owners and the environment, and promote EV adoption. This is achieved through initiatives with industry players, such as ride-sharing companies, charging providers, and even mall owners. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has outlined its plans to improve the charging infrastructure to make EV adoption more attractive and convenient, with a target of 60,000 EV charging points by 2030.
Back in 2017, BlueSG was one of the pioneering EV initiatives in Singapore. The ride-sharing initiative was launched in partnership with the LTA and Economic Development Board (EDB) as part of the drive to a more sustainable transport system. While there are other car sharing services that offer EV rentals, BlueSG is still the only point-to-point EV car-sharing service in Singapore — this means renters don’t have to return the car to the starting rental location. With fresh investments announced at the end of 2021, there are plans to expand BlueSG’s existing fleet of more than 1000 EVs, and customers will be able to enjoy a network of more than 1,500 EV charging points.
In the latest set of EV-led initiatives, City Energy has launched a charging mobile app that will excite existing EV owners who drive frequently into Malaysia, and give fresh impetus for EV ownership here. As one of Singapore’s leading gas services that provides sustainable energy solutions for all, City Energy has officially launched Go by City Energy. With just the use of a single mobile app, users will be able to enjoy the seamless convenience of a quality charging service in both Singapore and in Malaysia.
To make the experience fuss-free across borders, Go users can easily charge their EVs at designated charging stations in Singapore and Malaysia by simply scanning a QR code or tapping on the charging station location on the app’s map to start charging. There’s no subscription fee and users only pay when they use. Available 24/7, the charging service offers both AC and fast-charging DC options. This service is great news for EV owners worried about range issues when they travel up north; its launch was also timely as it coincided with the opening of our borders with our neighbour after two long years of blocked borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2025, EV owners living in or visiting HDB towns can expect even more charging options, with at least three charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB car parks. With a majority of drivers living in HDB towns, it makes sense to make these areas EV-friendly. This will definitely make ownership of EVs more attractive and convenient. The LTA will be looking to boost the EV infrastructure further by installing these charging points over the next three to four years.
Moreover, mall developer Frasers Property Retail has rolled out a plan to deploy a total of 36 new charging points in 12 of its suburban malls. Working alongside service providers Charge+, SP Group and Tesla, Frasers’ plan is to install charging points in two phases. The target for the first phase was 27 charging points in eight malls by September 2022. Waterway Point in Punggol was where the first deployment of Singapore’s fastest public EV chargers took place — Charge+ Turbo chargers are capable of a power rating of up to 120kW, which can fully charge an EV in about 30 minutes. There are also Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which are even faster at up to 270kW; however, these are meant only for Tesla EVs.
The signs are promising for Singapore to fulfil its EV targets. We can expect even more exciting EV developments in the near future as more parties jump on board the EV bandwagon to help realise and fashion our island’s EV infrastructure.


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Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) January 29, 2014
BizX is a b2b community of businesses within which they use their own private currency to buy, sell and conduct commerce with each other.
Members can take advantage of a variety of business offerings: from purchasing advertising, to selling 24 ct. diamond rings – all without spending cash. Most recently, BizX partnered with Seattle-based Geoteaming to access VIP suites & experiences at the upcoming Super Bowl – evidence of the reach and strength that is the BizX$ and its network. Geoteaming is offering a week-long package of dinners, events and lodging, as well as a seat in the suite for the big game, which it is offering for $30,000 BizX.
This offering is another example of the tremendous growth the company experienced last year, fueled by a variety of initiatives that has the alternative currency poised for an explosive 2014.
The company, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, with offices in the Bay Area and Dubai, grew in all areas of the business including transaction volume, revenue and members in 2013. The company organically expanded the number of members by over 27% in 2013.
“We were laser-focused last year on improving the overall member experience for our members,” CEO Bob Bagga said. “Whether that was developing our Mobile App, enhancing the look and feel of our marketplace, or launching our ‘Perks Program’ – we had the member in mind for all of our improvements in 2013.”
BizX also partners with the communities it serves and was able to, along with its members, contribute to local charities, something Bagga says is part of our core values.
“While our vision remains to be the world’s strongest and most widely accepted private currency, we also can’t forget about what’s gotten us to this point. Our members and our communities are the reason we are here, and donating to the communities we live in undoubtedly serves a greater purpose.”
From leading the alternative currency charge, to making businesses more efficient and prosperous, to allowing members to access suites at the Super Bowl, BizX and its partners are on the forefront of a market primed to erupt.
About BizX: Founded in 2002, BizX works with over 3500 members around the world and brokers trade transactions for approximately $50 million in goods and services each year. We set out to revolutionize the way people pay in order to make the communities we serve more efficient and prosperous.


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Puma had just opened a new outlet at 313@Somerset, a mall located in Singapore’s famous shopping district – Orchard Road. They were looking for an exciting way to share this news with consumers.
We organised a guerilla marketing event focused on the idea of self-expression, in line with Puma’s existing “Create your Style” campaign featuring Taiwanese celebrities.
Promoters took to the streets of Orchard Road with whiteboards and encouraged passersby to express themselves by drawing or writing on the board. Participants could later pose with their board and get their picture taken. The pictures could be collected at Puma’s new store. This is a fun way to not only introduce the new outlet to the public but to get them to physically go down and visit it.
We managed to create significant hype around Puma’s new outlet opening and increase the awareness of its store location.


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There's better ways Samsung could market its smartphones, instead of letting Ellen use one at the Oscar's to take a selfie. How about using the eight-core brain of the Galaxy S4 to solve a Rubik's Cube in just 3.253 seconds?
Cubestormer 3 - a robot that solves Rubik's Cubes - in just seconds. The third-generation robot was built by co-inventors David Gilday and Mike Dobson for a single reason: speed. They used the eight-core variant of Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone, with the eight processors controlling eight Lego Mindstorms actuators.
Gidday explains: "We knew Cubestormer 3 had the potential to beat the existing record but with the robot performing physical operations quicker than the human eye can see there's always an element of risk." The eight cores inside of the Galaxy S4 analyze the cube's starting arrangement, then tells the four attached robot arms to process the required steps to get the cube into its complete state.
Members of European Parliament called for an effort to develop a common charger standard for mobile phones to reduce waste and therefore reduce the hassle to find compatible chargers. The MEPs have drafted a Radio Equipment Directive which points out the need to bring harmonized rules for 'radio equipment' such as mobiles phones and modems.
The draft law was amended to emphasize the need to have universal charging port for phones, though it will be up to the EU to decide which type of smartphones will need to use universal charging port.
The draft also makes sure that the increasing the range of particular devices will not interfere with other devices, followed by new health and safety requirements. Part of the draft emphasizes on reducing waste.
The latest issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine revealed exclusive information such as gameplay detail and screenshots, including the new Batmobile design.
The game has a function where gamers will be able to call the Batmobile while gliding towards the spot you have chosen to land. All elements of the location can get affected when hit by the vehicle. You can drive through the city at high speeds, drifting around corners using boost function. Rocksteady Studios did not reveal any information regarding upgrades of the vehicle, if possible.
It is also being known that Batman can use some of his gadgets while gliding. When using gadgets in mid-air, it will trigger a slow-motion effect.
Apple iPhone owners are most loyal to their smartphones, with 76 percent of customers that started 2013 ending with the same device or a newer version. Samsung is No. 2 and had 58 percent retention rate, as the Galaxy S line of smartphones battling with the iPhone.
The full list: Apple (76 percent), Samsung (58 percent), LG (37 percent), Nokia (33 percent), htc (30 percent), Sony (24 percent), Motorola (22 percent), and BlackBerry with just 21 percent. Furthermore, it's easier for Android users to jump between handset manufacturers, because of familiarity with Android across all platforms, while iPhone users have a more difficult time trying to migrate.
A survey recently conducted in the UK found that 60 percent of Apple iPhone owners have what can be described as a "blind loyalty" to the company.
The smartphone market has exploded in popularity over the past few years, but is expected to see slowing growth over the next four years, according to research.
Several public NATO websites were hit by cyberattacks that temporarily crippled them, though there was no risk to classified or sensitive information. Early indications point towards pro-Russian sympathizers and Vladimir Putin supporters, though it hasn't been confirmed if the attacks originated in Russia.
"It doesn't impede our ability to command and control our forces," a NATO official said following the attack. "At no time was there any risk to our classified networks."
A Crimea referendum website, referendum2014.ru, also has suffered cyberattacks from a likely Russian source, according to security experts.
The rising political tension in Crimea has led to a series of cyberattacks, with Russia interrupting Ukrainian infrastructure - and hacker groups attacking the Kremlin. Cyberattacks have been successful in gaining media attention and serving as an annoyance for those targeted.
Apple and Samsung continue to find success in the smartphone market, while companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Intel try to catch up. However, yearly sales and overall price are both dropping, so the profit margin also is shrinking for manufacturers.
A slowing market means all companies that jumped in late will find it even harder to try and compete. The smartphone market has greatly accelerated with a larger number of casual consumers embracing the devices for the first time - and even started to outsell feature phones.
Emerging markets are now driving smartphone sales, which is good to expand device ownership - but bad because profit margins shrink even further.
A continued initiative to help businesses become aware of the upcoming end of support for Microsoft Windows XP was recently given a boost by Revel Systems, a company known for Apple iPAD point-of-sale (POS) solutions.
The company is most interested in helping merchants in the retail and hospitality industries, as the XP end of support opens the door to a higher likelihood of attack. Microsoft estimates an increase of more than 65 percent for malware infection of XP machines after April 8, and many businesses still rely on the aging OS.
"Due to the recent credit card security breaches at well-known retail chains, it's amazing how many people have been calling us in the last few weeks," said Chris Ciabarra, Revel Systems CTO, in a statement. "They no longer feel confident in their current point-of-sale provider, and want a solution that is more secure and reliable."
Financial exchange operators are increasingly worried about cyber threats while hackers are becoming more organized and launching sophisticated attacks.
At least half of the world's major financial exchanges faced cyberattacks during 2012, a report from the World Federation of Exchanges Office revealed. To counter this, exchanges and financial institutions are trying to reinforce security methods to keep attacks from easily compromising networks and stealing information.
"We are worried a lot and we are far more worried now than we were just a couple of years ago," said Magnus Bocker, Singapore Exchange CEO, during a recent panel discussion.
NASA welcomes citizen scientists to compete for $35,000 in awards, and public recognition, for those able to successfully help develop improved asteroid identification algorithms.
The first contest in the series will launch on Monday, March 17 - and the Asteroid Grand Challenge Series will have topcoder challenges open to programmers from across the world.
"For the past three years, NASA has been learning and advancing the ability to leverage distributed algorithm and coding skills through the NASA Tournament Lab to solve tough problems," said Jason Crusan, NASA Tournament Lab Director, in a press statement. "We are now applying our experience with algorithm contests to helping protect the planet from asteroid threats through image analysis."
It looks like ASUS' plan to release a Windows and Android dual OS based tablets & hybrid devices may have ended. It was reported that ASUS is facing pressure from Google and Microsoft.
The company revealed Transformer Book Duet TD300 during CES 2014, and made plans to launch by second half of this year, but looks that Microsoft and Google do not want dual OS boot. It was also speculated that Google and Microsoft didn't like ASUS and Intel working on such devices. It was also reported that AMD's effort to partner with Android emulator 'BlueStacks' was halted because of the same issue.


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Many businesses have not evolved with the latest security technology and access control systems, although these advancements are necessary in the post-pandemic business world.
Electronic access control has rapidly advanced since the days of keypads and card readers, and many businesses today still believe that it is a cutting-edge technology to have. For this reason, many businesses have not evolved with the latest security technology and access control systems, although these advancements are necessary in the post-pandemic business world.
Items such as mask detection and temperature screening have become a requirement in specific environments, and are becoming a key element in health and safety plans across clinical, logistics and manufacturing facilities
When looking at the 2022 State of Physical Access Control report conducted by IFSEC Global, just 41% of businesses believed their current physical access control systems either met or exceeded their security requirements. This means that 59% of companies are still operating an access control system that may not be fit for purpose.
Mobile Bluetooth Credentials
Bluetooth technology is fast becoming a dominant contactless access control system thanks to the popularity of smartphones. As businesses move away from options such as keycards and fobs, today’s systems are being designed to support mobile credentials going forward. Recent studies predict that more than 120 million mobile credentials will be downloaded in 2023 alone.
This is especially appealing following COVID outbreaks and variants, allowing for a sanitary, hands-free access system for businesses that is fast, flexible, and cost-effective.
As a technology, it is simple to install as users can download the security credentials straight to their smartphone by clicking the link sent from an access control operator, or downloading an app. Access is then granted or denied after credentials are checked by a Bluetooth or QR code reader.
This eliminates the need for costly cards or fobs, relying solely on your phone to access the access control reader.
Biometric Access Control is a step beyond that and removes the need for physical credentials and smartphones altogether while strengthening security
Biometric data is built up of fingerprints, voice patterns, retinol, facial, and even DNA scanning. It has increasingly become more widespread in use as this access control system is a more convenient way of securing your premises and eliminates the risk of physical keys, cards and fobs being stolen, or keypad codes being passed on to unauthorised people.
In recent years, the rise of this technology outpaced all others and facial readers are the fastest growing system for quickly granting and denying access to personnel. The integration of biometrics and security systems has now become more utilised with improvements in quality and price. Innovation has played its part in helping to drive down system costs and made it easier to manage through the cloud.
If you are among the 59% who fear that their access control systems may not be meeting your needs, contact the team at Almas Industries today for a security audit. Our Security consultants will look at your existing security provision, help you identify any risks and vulnerabilities that you may not see, and advise you on how to secure your premises.


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TrendForce’s latest LED Industry Demand and Supply Data Base finds that, by 2024, the global Mini/Micro LED market is projected to reach US$4...
TAIPEI, Taiwan - As Apple’s upcoming release of products featuring Mini LED backlight generates a growth in Mini LED demand...
According to TrendForce, Apple’s current plan for its wafer input at TSMC indicates that the foundry will still be mainly producing chips for iPhone and iPad devices in 2020. Mass production of the A14 Bionic SoC for the new iPhone devices that will be released later this year is now underway, while production of the A14X Bionic SoC for the new iPad devices that will be released in 2021 is scheduled to begin in small volumes in 3Q20. TrendForce expects wafer input for Mac SoC to begin in 1H21, meaning the actual adoption of Mac products featuring the latest Mac SoCs is expected to occur in 2H21.
Initially, ARM-based SoCs were able to become mainstream in the smartphone market because of their unique advantage in power consumption. However, the ARM family of processor architectures as a whole has also made huge leaps in computing performance in the recent years. It is now sufficiently strong in both computing speed and power efficiency to have opportunities to challenge the Intel family in the high-performance computing segment.
As well, TSMC is one to two generations ahead of Intel with respect to process shrink. TSMC’s technological lead in the market could be an additional reason as to why Apple has now decided to begin phasing out Intel CPUs from Mac devices. Nevertheless, the most crucial factors that drive Apple’s decision are the cost consideration and the desire to further build out its ecosystem.
Although Apple still needs TSMC to manufacture its self-designed processors, the production cost of a Mac processor made with TSMC’s 5nm node is currently estimated under US$100, which is considerably more cost-effective compared to the 10nm Intel Core i3 processors, priced around US$200 to US$300 on the market.
On the other hand, Intel’s CPUs scheduled to be released in 2021 will still be based on the 10nm node. With Apple Silicon advancing to the 5nm node, the future Mac SoCs will be packed with a lot more transistors while maintaining the same chip size thanks to process shrink. They thus will have a chance to successfully compete against the mainstream products offered by Intel in terms of computing performance and power consumption.
CTIMES loves to interact with the global technology related companies and individuals, you can deliver your products information or share industrial intelligence. Please email us to firstname.lastname@example.org
- 1Wistron to Sell Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing and Wistron Investmen to Luxshare Group
- 2Apple to Start Mass Producing Self-Designed Mac SoC, Projected to Cost under US$100, in 1H21
- 3Arrow, Panasonic Industry, and STMicroelectronics Join Forces to Deliver IoT Modules for Smart Appli
- 4Analog’s $20bn Maxim Deal Another Example of Semiconductor Sector Shakeout, says GlobalData
- 5China Steps up Pace of Mini/Micro LED Commercialization, Total Project Investment Reaches ¥39.1B


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Can't make it to Las Vegas for the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest consumer tech expo?
Thanks to numerous outlets that will be live streaming CES 2011, you don't have to miss a moment of the confab.
We've compiled a list of video feeds (see below), or you can watch live streaming video from CES 2011 right here on HuffPostTech. You can also follow our CES 2011 live blog here.
via Mario Armstrong
- CNET will be streaming live from CES 2011 on YouTube.
- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's keynote at 6:30PM PT on Wednesday will be live streamed by Microsoft.
- Skype will be showing its press conference, which begins Thursday at 1:30PM ET, via LiveStream.
- Catch a live stream of Samsung's keynote at 7:30PM ET on Thursday.
Follow our comprehensive CES 2011 coverage here


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11:48 a.m. Today11:48 a.m. May 4, 2016
- By Tonya Garcia
Celestial Seasonings to restore tea package design after poor customer response Hain Celestial attributes some earnings declines to a drop in tea salesHain Celestial, the parent company of Celestial Seasonings, said it will revert to its previous packaging because sales dropped after a redesign.
11:16 a.m. Today11:16 a.m. May 4, 2016
- By Tonya Garcia
What to expect from Whole Foods earnings Analysts are concerned about same-store sales resultsWhole Foods is trying to turn around its business amid fears of cannibalization with its new 365 stores and competition with other grocers.
4:06 a.m. Today4:06 a.m. May 4, 2016
- By Tonya Garcia
Hain Celestial sales beat estimates, announces strategic reorganizationHain Celestial Group Inc. said Wednesday it had third-quarter net income of $49.0 million, or 47 cents per share, up from $33.4 million, or 32 cents per share, for the same period last year. Adjusted earnings were 49 cents per share, meeting the FactSet consensus. Revenue for the quarter totaled $749.9 million, up from $662,7 million the year before. The FactSet consensus was $735 million. The organic food company has named James Meiers to the newly-created position of chief operations officer, responsible for finding cost savings across the company's global operations. Hain Celestial has already conducted a strategic review and identified $100 million in global cost savings, which it expects to achieve between fiscal years 2017 and 2019. The company will also establish five strategic platforms within Hain Celestial U.S. in fiscal 2017: Fresh Living, Better-for-You Baby, Better-for-You Snacking, Better-for-You Pantry and Pure Personal Care. A venture unit called Cultivate Ventures will invest in the company's smaller brands as well as products and technologies focused on health and wellness. And the company will sell certain brands with sales of $30 million that "no longer fit with its core strategy for future growth," Hain Celestial said in the earnings release. The company updated its full-year sales guidance to between $2.95 billion and $2.97 billion, from between $2.90 and $3.04 billion. And it updated its EPS guidance to between $2.00 and $2.04 from between $1.95 and $2.10. Hain Celestial shares are unchanged in premarket trading, but down 32.7% for the past year. The S&P 500 is down 2.4% for the last 12 months.
12:47 p.m. May 2, 2016
- By Adam Danforth, Credit.com
A butcher’s 6 secrets to save money on meatA butcher explain how to score better deals on meat.
5:54 a.m. April 30, 2016
- By Maria LaMagna
Meet the food makers that think you don’t trust them If the head judge on “Top Chef” worries that the high-end food he buys isn’t always what it says on the wrapper, what hope do you have?
8:27 a.m. April 26, 2016
- By Michael Ashbaugh
S&P 500’s bull trend is poised to buck ‘sell in May’ headwind Focus: Junior Gold Miners, GDXJ, CPE, OLED, EBS, AA, SONCThe U.S. markets’ worst six months seasonally — May through October — are less than a week away. This seasonal tendency withstands statistical scrutiny, and is actually a global-market phenomenon, though it’s prone to exceptions. Against this backdrop, the prevailing market technicals support a bullish view.
8:03 a.m. April 26, 2016
- By Michael Ashbaugh
S&P 500’s bull trend is poised to buck ‘sell in May’ headwind Focus: Junior Gold Miners, GDXJ, CPE, OLED, EBS, AA, SONCThe U.S. markets’ worst six months seasonally — May through October — are now less than a week away. Against this backdrop, the prevailing market technicals, on balance, continue to support a bullish view.
12:52 p.m. April 25, 2016
- By Sarah Nassauer
Wal-Mart to drop its organic brand, Wild Oats, after two years Retail giant to focus on fresh produce, adding organic options to its own brand Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is phasing out its Wild Oats organic food brand, according to people familiar with the matter, dropping a line of products introduced two years ago to bring inexpensive organics to the masses.
8:44 a.m. April 22, 2016
- By Sally French
The real cost of shopping at Whole Foods vs. Trader Joe’s Between Target, Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, this grocery store is the cheapest.Between Target, Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, this grocery store is the cheapest.
9:54 p.m. April 20, 2016
Pernod Ricard sales fall on slack China demandPARIS-French liquor group Pernod Ricard SA said Thursday its fiscal third-quarter sales declined 3%, with currency volatility and weak demand in China, partly reflecting an earlier Chinese New Year, offseting a strong performance in the U.S.
3:12 a.m. April 20, 2016
- By Tomi Kilgore
Coca-Cola's stock drops as profit beats, but sales missShares of Coca-Cola Co. dropped 1.3% in premarket trade Wednesday, after the beverage giant beat profit expectations, but missed on revenue. Earnings fell to $1.48 billion, or 34 cents a share, from $1.56 billion, or 35 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding non-recurring items, such as one-time charges related to refranchising certain territories and restructuring, adjusted earnings per share came to 45 cents, above the FactSet consensus of 44 cents. Revenue fell 4% to $10.28 billion, just shy of the FactSet consensus of $10.29 billion. Global unit case volume increased 2%, with sparkling beverage volume flat and still beverages rising 7%. For 2016, the company expects organic revenue to grow 4% to 5%, which is in line with Coke's long-term target. "Amidst a challenging global macro environment, the continued focus on our five strategic initiatives enabled us to gain global value share in the first quarter and deliver positive top-line growth and strong underlying margin expansion," said Chief Executive Muhtar Kent. The stock has surged 8.5% year to date through Tuesday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 3.6%.
11:06 p.m. April 18, 2016
- By Emma Court
What to expect from Johnson & Johnson’s earnings The company struggled in 2015 with a strong dollar and competition from new drugsJohnson & Johnson is set to report first-quarter earnings Tuesday morning.
9:58 p.m. April 18, 2016
Danone sales dented by stronger euroPARIS--French dairy maker Danone SA said Tuesday that first-quarter sales dropped 3% as the strengthening euro curbed revenue in emerging markets. Danone, which manufactures Activia yogurt and Evian water, said sales fell to EUR5.3 billion ($5.98 billion) from EUR5.5 billion in the first three months of the year, in line with analyst estimates according to a company-compiled consensus.
3:20 a.m. April 18, 2016
PepsiCo profit beats estimates on wider marginsPepsiCo Inc. reported it handily beat earnings expectations in the first quarter of the year as efficiency initiatives helped the snack and beverage giant dramatically improve its margins. "We delivered strong first quarter operating results driven by balanced execution of our commercial agenda and productivity programs," said Chief Executive Indra Nooyi.
3:27 a.m. April 15, 2016
- By Emma Court
McDonald’s has ditched wraps — as should we all Wraps pretend to be healthy while touting fried food, baconWraps are healthy, right? Wrong.
11:31 a.m. April 14, 2016
- By Claudia Assis
What to expect from PepsiCo’s earnings Beverage and snack giant will report first-quarter earnings on MondayBeverage and snack giant reports Monday, and analysts are expecting sales and earnings to decline.
11:56 p.m. April 13, 2016
Unilever raises dividend as underlying sales riseLONDON -- Unilever PLC reported a rise in underlying sales for the first quarter as it sold more products at higher prices, but headline results were weighed down by currency volatility. The Anglo-Dutch consumer goods group, whose brands include Dove soap and Ben and Jerry's ice cream, reported a 2.3% fall in revenue to EUR12.5 billion euros ($14.3 billion) for the quarter ended March 31, down from 12.8 billion euros a year earlier.
11:51 p.m. April 13, 2016
Nestlé shares rise as sales growth eases pressureZURICH--Nestlé SA reported better-than-expected sales growth for the first three months of 2016, providing some relief for investors who had been braced for a tough start to the year. Nestlé has been finding it hard to increase prices for its products as it faces deflation in some of its markets and it has struggled to adapt to changing consumer trends.
10:10 p.m. April 13, 2016
Nestlé sales miss views amid pricing strugglesZURICH-- Nestlé SA on Thursday reported a 0.1% increase in sales during the first three months of 2016--a tepid rate that will likely increase pressure on management at the Swiss food giant. Vevey-based Nestlé said its sales for the three months ended March 31 rose to 20.93 billion Swiss francs ($ 21.64 billion) from 20.92 billion francs, missing analyst forecasts of 21.11 billion francs.
4:15 a.m. April 7, 2016
Rite Aid beats profit view, but sales missRite Aid Corp. said despite a same-store sales decline, its fourth-quarter revenue rose 21% on its acquisition of a pharmacy-benefit manager. The third-largest drugstore chain agreed to merge into No. 1 Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. in a $17.2 billion agreement struck in late October. Accordingly, Rite Aid said it wouldn't provide guidance for its just started fiscal year.
11:29 a.m. April 1, 2016
- By Emma Court
Chipotle’s foray into frozen margaritas, draft beer could be step forward, analyst says Craft beverage program is being tested in Denver Chipotle locationChipotle Mexican Grill is testing out craft beverages at a Denver, Co. location of the chain.
8:30 a.m. April 1, 2016
- By Carla Mozee
FTSE 100 ends lower but holds on to weekly gain Sainsbury erases early loss sparked by Argos bid newsU.K. stocks close lower Friday, as commodity-related shares dropped on oil’s slide and a stronger dollar.
11:50 a.m. March 28, 2016
- By Rex Nutting
Think nothing is made in America? Output has doubled in three decades U.S. manufacturing isn’t dead; factories are running at close to a record paceFactories are running at close to a record pace, writes Rex Nutting.
3:50 a.m. March 23, 2016
General Mills beats profit views, but sales missGeneral Mills Inc. on Wednesday reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly sales decline amid foreign-exchange headwinds and the divestiture of its Green Giant unit, but earnings for the maker of Betty Crocker cake mixes and Progresso soups came in above Wall Street expectations.
1:14 p.m. March 17, 2016
- By Jessica Marmor Shaw
What you really get for the high price of ‘humanely raised’ meatMake sure you’re getting what you pay for when you spend extra on meat with a “humanely raised” label.
12:06 p.m. March 17, 2016
- By Jacob Bunge
Whole Foods to move toward slower-growing chickensThe natural and organic foods retailer said it will replace the industry-standard chickens bred to rapidly pack on pounds with slower-growing varieties that Whole Foods believes will enjoy better lives and yield better-tasting meat.
5:33 a.m. March 16, 2016
China CCTV raps counterfeit sales on AlibabaAfter criticizing foreign companies from Apple Inc. to McDonald's Corp. in past years, China's powerful state broadcaster has taken aim at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ramping up pressure on the e-commerce giant to tackle fake sales on its shopping platforms.
5:58 a.m. March 9, 2016
- By Joshua Jamerson
General Mills to double organic sources The company expects to reach $1 billion in natural and organic sales by 2019General Mills is seeking more organic growers to meet demand for organic products.
3:13 a.m. March 9, 2016
- By Caitlin Huston
General Mills to meet organic production goals by 2019General Mills said it will now reach its goal of having 250,000 organic acres by 2019, which is sooner than expected. With more acres to source organic ingredients, the company expects to reach $1 billion in net sales from natural and organic products by 2019. The company said it is working with farmers and growers to help meet the production goals. The natural and organic food segment is expected to drive double-digit sales growth across the industry for the next five years. Shares of General Mills have gained 7% in one month, compared to the S&P 500's gain of 7%.
2:41 p.m. March 8, 2016
- By Tess Stynes
Whole Foods announces rooftop solar deals with SolarCity, NRG Supermarket chain to add solar panels to 100 more storesWhole Foods Market Inc. reached separate agreements with SolarCity Corp. and NRG Energy Inc. to install rooftop solar-power systems on many of the organic- and natural-foods supermarket chain’s stores, giving SolarCity’s stock a boost.
6:42 a.m. March 8, 2016
- By Tess Stynes
Whole Foods to install rooftop solar systems in deals with SolarCity, NRG SolarCity shares jump 10% on the newsRetailer will have rooftop systems on many of its stores.
3:25 a.m. March 3, 2016
- By Ciara Linnane
New York grocer Fairway’s future on line as competitors — and creditors — close in Upscale chain has been hammered by competition from Whole Foods and othersThe decades-old New York City grocer has been clobbered by competition from Whole Foods even as it’s embarked on expansion.
6:20 a.m. March 1, 2016
- By Michael Brush
Curvy models are working wonders for American Eagle’s sales and shares The retailer’s aerie line of clothing speaks to women in a ‘really positive way’The retailer’s aerie line of clothing speaks to women in a ‘really positive way,’ writes Michael Brush.
3:11 a.m. Feb. 29, 2016
United Natural Foods to buy Haddon HouseNatural-and-organic food distributor United Natural Foods Inc. said it had agreed to buy rival Haddon House Food Products Inc. in a $217.5 million deal, expanding United Natural's portfolio of ethnic and gourmet product offerings.
12:54 p.m. Feb. 25, 2016
Kraft Heinz profit, revenue beat expectationsKraft Heinz Co. reported fourth-quarter adjusted profit and revenue that beat expectations in the packaged-foods giant's second earnings report since its merger in July. Shares rose 3.1% to $77.25 in recent after-hours trading. Kraft Heinz, which was formed in July by the combination of H.J. Heinz Co.
6:22 a.m. Feb. 25, 2016
Pinnacle Foods profit beats after acquisitionsFood producer Pinnacle Foods Inc. PF posted profit and revenue increases as it continues to integrate companies it acquired in recent years. Pinnacle, whose brands include Vlasic pickles and Birds Eye frozen vegetables, also said Thursday it expects annual earnings per share of between $2.08 to $2.13, bracketing analyst expectations of $2.10.
4:50 a.m. Feb. 25, 2016
Campbell Soup profit rises above expectationsCampbell Soup Co. on Thursday said falling expenses more than offset a 1.5% decline in revenue, pushing profit up by nearly a fifth. The biggest soup company in the U.S. said its organic sales, which excludes currency changes and acquisitions, were flat. Chief Executive Denise Morrison said the metric was a bit below company expectations.
11:19 p.m. Feb. 23, 2016
- By Barbara Kollmeyer
Why investors should pounce on the stocks oil has ripped apart Critical information ahead of the U.S. market’s openFocus on one small thing in this crazy volatile market. How about one chunk of stocks that have been beaten up pretty well. Analysts smell opportunity.
2:59 a.m. Feb. 18, 2016
Nestlé suffers slowest sales growth in six yearsVEVEY, Switzerland--Shares in Nestlé SA dropped more than 4% on Thursday after the Swiss food giant reported its slowest sales increase in six years and held back from buying more of its shareholders' stock.
10:11 p.m. Feb. 17, 2016
Nestlé earnings pressured by strong Swiss francVEVEY, Switzerland--Nestlé SA on Thursday reported its slowest sales increase in six years as decelerating emerging markets and the strength of the highly-valued Swiss franc sapped the Swiss food giant's performance.


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There are a lot of tanning methods available to achieve that golden god look so trendy with bodybuilders and the young, hip crowd. Sun tanning, tanning beds, or the lotion are three common options people go for. Overexposure to UVA and UVB emission, the imperceptible element of sunshine that is the source of the tan, may create more hazards for your skin down the road such as permanent wrinkling, melanoma, and other problems.
The tanning season officially starts about six weeks prior to spring break. Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Florida are key spring break destinations, and the sun plays a major part in holiday activities. Many students turn to tanning beds to get that dark, bronzed look and to turn up at the beach with a base tan. Tanning salons advise that their customers begin the tanning procedure gradually, so they don't burn.
Tanning Salon Supporters Say It Is Safer Than Natural Rays
When you get a tan the body knows that it is being damaged so it creates melanin, a brown pigment in the skin, to defend itself. You have to damage your skin before you can get a tan, and that is the first way tanning salons, and tanning in general, is unsafe. Secondly, tanning salons and the sun have one thing in common: they both give off ultraviolet radiation.
In November, 2004 a team from NBC went undercover to find out what people are being told when they go to tanning salons. The team visited 12 tanning salons and all but three told the producer that tanning beds are absolutely harmless, even if she had had a skin cancer scare. NBC showed the tapes to the head of Cosmetic Dermatology at Penn Medicine at Radnor, Dr. Cherie Ditre.
"Oh God, I can't believe she's recommending for a patient that's had skin cancer to do a tanning bed," was Dr. Ditre's reaction.
The National Cancer Institute published a study in February 2002 involving 900 people with skin cancer and 550 without. Those who reported any use of tanning beds were up to 2.5 times more likely to have had skin cancer. But at least tanning beds are better than being in the sun all day, right? After all, they emit less UVB radiation, which is widely thought to be more harmful than UVA, since UVB is what causes the skin to burn. However, the Federal Trade Commission reports that UVA penetrates more deeply than UVB, affecting more layers of skin.
Tanning beds and sun lamps generally emit 93% to 99% UVA radiation – three times the UVA radiation given off by the sun. The majority of tanning bed makers concur that indoor tanning is a great deal safer than getting outdoor exposure to sun. Tanning salons state that some UV radiation is required for the manufacturing of Vitamin D. In addition, the tanning bed industry claims that UVA radiation has no harmful effects on the skin. Scientists argue that while UVA rays are less likely to cause burns, they are still associated with malignant melanoma, damage to the immune system, weakening of the skin's inner tissue, and other types of skin cancers.
In addition, if you're not cautious when deciding on a tanning salon, the service you get might burn you in more ways than one. A study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that in several tanning facilities in San Diego County, Calif., it was unproblematic for minors to use tanning beds without parental permission, easy to get fake or wrong information, and comparatively easy to tan longer and more frequently than is recommended – thus obviously breaking state and federal safety policies.
Murky science and controversial assertions are nothing new for the indoor tanning industry. The industry is not just saying that tanning beds are not dangerous; they're saying that they are actually good for you. Even more worrying is the industry's position on cancer, which it says can be caused by sun deprivation and prevented by tanning lamps.
A few days' worth of golden skin is not worth a lifetime of side effects, such as early aging and perhaps even death, which could result from indoor tanning. A recent American Cancer Society study shows people under 35 who have been frequently exposed to tanning beds are now eight times more likely to develop skin cancer than those who have never set foot in a tanning salon.
Airbrush Tanning: The Newest Craze For Spring And Summer
You can get a tan in less time than it takes to get a manicure thanks to airbrush tanning, and the beauty about it is that it is safer than contact with the sun or conventional tanning beds. Moon Tans, a Colorado corporation, is the company responsible for the sunless tanning boom in several states. This radical tan is transported through an airbrush by a qualified technician. The ingredients in the airbrush tanning solution are essentially the same as those found in over-the-counter self-tanning lotions, the active ingredient being DHA, a natural derivative of sugar, which creates a chemical reaction with the amino acids in the skin, causing your pigment to darken.
The skin acquires an attractive bronze color on its own, and as the dead skin cells naturally wear off, the color slowly fades, just like a normal suntan. The airbrush tanning method also permits all-over tanning with no visible strap lines and no streaking effect that is sometimes caused by chemical tanning agents. There is no danger of skin cancer or the premature aging linked to tanning with UV light, since airbrush tanning does not cause harm to the underlying living layers of the skin.


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BILLINGS, Mt. - With traditional Fourth of July celebrations being cancelled all over the state, due to the pandemic, there's been a rise in consumer firework sales.
As the Fourth of July is approaching, Reichenbach Fireworks is gearing up for this year's unique celebrations.
"People have been in their houses for so long, they're ready to get out and do something. It's going to be the Wild Wild West," says owner George Reichenbach.
Although many Fourth of July celebrations have been cancelled, Reichenbach says they've been busy supplying to firework sellers across the state and selling fireworks from their own stands.
Reichenbach says they didn't know what was going to happen or if they were even going to sell fireworks this year. He says a lot of his customers were waiting to the last minute and now fireworks are flying off their warehouse shelves.
Reichenbach receives over 20 containers with each one carrying 13,000 cases of fireworks every year. With over 11,000 different products he manages more than a few warehouses. Even though sales are down a few thousand dollars from last year Reichenbach is anticipating a surge in business in the days leading up to Fourth of July.
"It's picking up quite a bit. We're still down a little bit in sales but we're having our last week of rush and we're going to come out on it," says Reichenbach.
With help from his wife, kids, grandkids and their dog, The Reichenbachs have been working overtime to make sure all of their customers get their fireworks in time to light up the sky on Fourth of July.
“We’ll work through it, we’ve been doing this for 74 years. My dad started in 1946 and we’ve been through a few crises and pandemics and weird stuff, that we just work through it. It’s the only thing you can do," says Reichenbach.
Reichenbach advises everyone purchasing fireworks to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal and most importantly to stay safe.
“And the next time I see them I want to be able to see all five of their fingers or all ten of their fingers. I’m just hoping that we have a safe Fourth of July and no one gets hurt," adds Reichenbach.
If you haven’t had a chance to purchase your fireworks, their stands are open from noon to 10pm everyday until July 5th.
There are two Reichenbach Firework stands in Billings. One is located on the West end of Billings on 64th and Central and the other is on the corner of High Ridge Road in the Heights.
Click here for directions to their Heights location.


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NEW YORK: Burson-Marsteller is being forced to defend two of its most high-profile accounts as Sprint and Sun Microsystems put their business up for review.
Sprint vice-president of corporate communications, Bill White, confirmed he has launched an agency search for the company's US corporate brief, which B-M has handled for five years. B-M will repitch for the account.
The loss of Sun - B-M's biggest and longest standing hi-tech account - could blow a hole of between pounds 3m and pounds 7m in the agency's annual revenues.
Sources close to B-M have confirmed Sun's in-house PR team has begun contacting agencies about the corporate account.
Both B-M, which handles corporate, workstations and software, and Ketchum, which handles the server business alongside other product areas, have been told that at least some if not all of these pieces of business will be reviewed.
Other Sun agencies, including Eastwick and KVO, are said not to come under the review remit.
Sun corporate communications vice-president Jeremy Barnash would neither confirm nor deny the review.
B-M spokesman Peter Himler said B-M and Sun were 'in conversations' over their relationship.
The Sun review does not affect the UK market, where it currently uses Text 100, DPA Corporate Communications and Harvard Public Relations.


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For Amazon.com chief executive officer Jeff Bezos, it's turning into a season of worsts.
As Amazon heads into the lucrative end-of-year shopping period, the company on October 25 posted its biggest quarterly net loss since at least 2003, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It also forecast sales and profit for the fourth quarter that missed analysts' projections. That puts Amazon on track to lose an estimated $40.5 million for the year, which would be the company's largest annual loss in 12 years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The only other annual loss for Amazon during that period came in 2012.
In response, investors pushed Amazon shares down 8.3% on October 25, the biggest drop since July. For the year, the stock is down 28%, compared with a 6.3% gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. If that performance continues, the company is set for its worst annual stock decline since 2008, during the depths of the financial crisis.
The results illustrate the growing lack of support for Bezos's methods of spending big and counting on sales growth to make up for minuscule profit. Bezos has poured money into everything from smartphones to original television programming to drones, keeping margins razor thin. In contrast, Chinese company Alibaba Group Holding, which overtook Amazon as the world's largest e-commerce company last month based on market capitalisation, makes healthy profits.
“The biggest component is the expense side of the equation,“ said Scott Tilghman, an analyst at B. Riley & Co. in Los Angeles. “They've got a big checkbook they keep writing upon, which all results in a top line that is less robust than thought.“ Amazon fell to $287.06 at the close in New York.
The move will help to streamline, simplify, and standardise ways of working and operations, while diversifying the overall digital footprint, it added. Besides Bengaluru, Ikea Retail has GBO in Poznan (Poland), Shanghai (China) and Baltimore (the US).
The acquisition of Future Group's 2,000 retail stores and Big Bazaar grocery chain will help Reliance, which sells everything from groceries to electronics through 11,000-plus stores, to broaden its extensive reach across the country.


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Move will help contractors complete projects more quickly and easily.
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions is set to slash lead times for the supply of ceiling solutions with the launch of a new distribution service for Middle Eastern countries.
The warehouse at Jebel Ali Port, the busiest port in the Middle East, comprises up to 100,000m2 of state-of-the-art storage facilities and will hold a wide range of Armstrong ceiling systems that will be available to hundreds of contractors within one to two weeks.
The move gives Armstrong additional local control over the distribution of its quality alternative ceiling system solutions that come complete with a peerless 30-year system warranty.
The arrangement is bound to prove popular as contractors will pay only for what they need at the time and not a percentage of the overall project value, enabling them to complete projects more quickly and easily.
Manned by dedicated Armstrong staff, the distribution centre will service the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait in a fraction of the time Armstrong product used to be available.
UAE sales director Mohamed Khaled said: “I think our new distribution service is a very significant development that is not only going to be very well-received by our customers but will also enable us to access parts of the market we were not able to before.”


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Chinese Internet users had mixed reactions to launch the iPhone 5 on Thursday, but vendors on Taobao, a popular Alibaba-run online shopping site, are betting many Chinese consumers will still turn out to buy the phone.
Within 24 hours of the announcement of the specs for the new phone, pioneering retailers had already placed advertisements for SIM card cutting devices that claim to be able transform a regular Chinese SIM card so it fits the smaller – and thinner — nano-SIM slot featured on the iPhone 5.
Due a sluggish government licensing process, Apple products tend to come out in China months after their official introductions into Europe, the U.S. and Hong Kong. As a result, many Chinese who want the newest Apple gadget buy products brought into the country from other areas.
News sites like Southern Metropolis reminded users of Sina Corp.’s popular Weibo microblogging service to bear in mind they cannot directly use their old SIM cards, but also pointed to a post from a China Mobile official who said that China Mobile was already in the process of purchasing nano-SIMs for use in the new iPhones. China Mobile could not immediately be reached for comment.
Talk of the new iPhone dominated Weibo, with the topic trending throughout the day, though many seemed underwhelmed by the device. Users widely also poked fun of the fact that one of the only new visible features for the iPhone 5 is it’s expanded length, widely reposting a graphic depicting a ridiculously tall iPhone dubbed the iPhone 10.
Meanwhile, Pan Shiyi, a widely followed real estate mogul, posted a graphic comparing the specs between the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 on his Weibo with the comment, “Jobs is gone, Apple’s innovation has come to an end.”
The comment, which received more than 25,000 reposts and 3,000 comments, was not simply given a pass. One user writing under the handle Xiao Xian Dou called Mr. Pan’s perspective “pessimistic,” adding, “[The iPhone 5] is very eye-catching, regardless of whether you’re attracted to it, at least I am.” Others argued that no company could turn the world on its head each year, or with each product launch.
Yet plenty of users backed Mr. Pan’s opinion. “Samsung is laughing,” wrote one microblogger, in an apparent reference to Apple’s ongoing legal battle with the Korean electronics maker. Said another, writing under the name Zhonghua138: “Apple has arrived at the top of the peak, now comes the downhill.”
For all the negativity, Chinese consumers still seemed to be very interested in a contest run by Alibaba’s T Mall to win a free iPhone 5, with more than 6,000 reposting the advertisement for the contest. “To those who say the iPhone 5 is no good, what is the better choice?” asked a Weibo user writing under the name Michael-Goo.
Apple will hope the first thing that jumps to mind for Chinese consumers isn’t Samsung.
As for those SIM card cutters advertised on Taobao, it’s buyer beware, as others are reporting that the size of the nano-SIM card slots, which are 15% thinner than slots for traditional SIM cards, means it’s not possible to cut an old SIM card into the new format.
Gary Xiao, marketing manager at Shenzhen North Technology Co., said the company is already taking bulk orders for their nano SIM cutter, which he said would cut the down a regular or micro SIM card to fit the iPhone 5, but wouldn’t shave down the thickness of the card. “We won’t know for sure if it works with the iPhone 5 until after Sept. 21, but we will work on solutions if it doesn’t,” Mr. Xiao said.
The company planned to sell the device at $25 a pop, he said, adding that they expected to sell about 1 million units in China, the U.S. and Europe.
– Paul Mozur, with contributions from Wayne Ma. Follow Paul on Twitter @paulmozur


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Kronfågel AB has signed a lease contract outside Kristianstad and evaluates establishing production of chilled chicken
Scandi Standard’s Swedish subsidiary Kronfågel AB has signed a lease contract in Karpalund, 7 km Northwest of Kristianstad and evaluates whether to invest in the facility in order to reach an annual capacity of 20 million chickens in the first phase. Kronfågel intend to slaughter, cut and produce value-added chicken products in the facility.
Demand for chilled chicken in Sweden is strong and the market growth within retail was estimated at 15% in value in 2015. Kronfågel increased sales by 18% during the same year. Scandi Standard has a long term target to grow in line with or higher than the underlying market growth over time. Scandi Standard’s subsidiary Kronfågel has during the last four years increased volumes from 36 to 50 million slaughtered chickens.
As a consequence of this growth Kronfågel has signed a long term lease contract of an industrial facility in Karpalund and evaluates whether to invest in the facility to reach an annual capacity of 20 million chickens to start with. The company believes that a manufacturing site in this part of Sweden would make economic sense as well as reducing environmental impact and improving animal welfare further through shorter transports. An investment in Karpalund would also create growth opportunities for chicken breeders in the South of Sweden.
Kronfågel currently have a production facility in Valla, just outside Katrineholm where 50 million chickens are being slaughtered annually by more than 650 employees.
Leif Bergvall-Hansen, Chief Executive Officer: +45 22 10 05 44
Magnus Lagergren, Managing Director Kronfågel AB: +46 702555235
Jenny Fridh, Head of Communications: +46 730 27 70 18


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An Ellesmere Port florist is looking to the future.
Steve Corcoran from Blooming Lovely on Chester Road, Whitby, has returned from a trip with a company called Florismart to Holland.
He joined nearly 30 fellow florists, exporters, growers, industry experts and staff from Florismart, which describes itself as the world’s first online flower market bringing together exporters, wholesalers and growers.
The aim is to give independent florists easier access to flowers grown all around the world and local suppliers.
Steve says he spoke to Dutch suppliers and was delighted to be able to put faces to the names of some of the growers he uses regularly in the shop and fellow florists from the UK.
He believes the initiative is the future of flower buying for florists enabling a group of 12 exporters and wholesalers to sell their products in a shopping centre which brings the biggest names together under one roof.
Steve said: “This means we can search the market for the right quality, stem length and weight for the best possible price.”
The outcome is he can buy the best flowers for the job in hand.
Steve runs the shop in Whitby village with his wife Dawn.


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BUSINESS INSIDER -- Investors Leave Broadway Stores on the Shelf / Also, Montgomery turns rogue broker over to the feds
In what resembles a clearance sale, investors have been rapidly marking down the price of Los Angeles-based Broadway Stores' stock during the past two weeks, with its shares tumbling 30 percent to yesterday's close of 3 1/2. The stock's latest slide -- it was 12 1/2 last September -- comes as the parent of Emporium reported extremely weak sales, with same-store sales rising a meager 0.5 percent in July but falling 4 percent year-to- date.
Goossens says Broadway, which emerged from bankruptcy in 1992, is in such bad shape that if it doesn't come up with additional cash, he gives it a 50 percent chance of defaulting on its debt within 12 months.
He bases that on a combination of the condition of its stores, the weak retail environment, limited liquidity and increased competition.
In addition, the company has $1.3 billion in debt and cash flow of just $106 million.
Put another way: Its debt is 12 times cash flow. Goossens says the debt of the typical retailer with a low credit rating -- such as Broadway -- is usually no more than 3 1/2 times its cash flow.
There has been speculation in recent months that Broadway plans to sell its Emporium and Weinstocks chains in Northern California to May Department Stores of St. Louis.
"Even then," Goossens says, "I don't know if there's enough of a franchise value out there for this company to be viable over the long term."
The company still has $83 million in available credit lines, which Goossens says "is reasonable, but it gives you a very narrow margin for error. You really have to look at what the operating loss will be in the second quarter," which should be reported shortly.
Meanwhile, there are continuing rumors that Broadway is having trouble paying suppliers and that some suppliers are holding up their orders.
And there are growing concerns in the advertising community about the
A Broadway spokesman emphatically denies the company isn't paying its bills, saying that such comments may be "wishful thinking by some people." He adds that the company is paying its bills "in the due course of business," but declined to elaborate.
-- Whistle blowers: Officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Customs Services are believed to be investigating a former broker from Montgomery Securities for possible money laundering.
Montgomery officials blew the whistle on the broker, whom they declined to identify, after he accepted a deposit of "questionable" securities from another country.
Montgomery senior managing director Jerry Markowitz says the securities "were just not reasonable" in a place like Montgomery. He declined to elaborate.
I hear the securities arrived in duffel bags, and contained millions of dollars worth of bearer bonds -- bonds that are nontraceable and can easily be turned into cash.
-- Contrarian corner: Looking for signs of a market top? How about the corporate plane that Hambrecht & Quist bought? Actually, the San Francisco investment banking firm said it took a minority position in a partnership that owns a 10-seat Challenger 660 turboprop.
"I fully recognize the symbolism, and we worried a lot about it," says H&Q President Dan Case. "But it was such a compelling economic opportunity that we went ahead with it."
-- Paper chase: The increase in postage and paper prices earlier this year has played havoc with catalog retailers.
To counter the higher costs, many are in the process of shrinking the size of their books.
Sharper Image, for example, is making its catalogs three-eighths of an inch shorter and three- eighths of an inch narrower. The catalog's cost had jumped $6 million. By shaving even that little off, CEO Richard Thalheimer says he hopes to save $2 million.
-- Chopped greens: Fresh Choice's stock has gone straight down in the past three weeks, losing 22 percent of its value to close yesterday at 7 3/4.
He said through his secretary that the selling isn't coming from him, and if it was, he would have to disclose the sales in a public filing with the


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Danish politician Margrethe Vestager currently serves as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age. Prior to joining the European Commission, she served in the Danish government as Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Minister of Education, as Minister of Economic Affairs and the Interior.
When Commissioner for Competition, Vestager gained international recognition for investigating, fining, or bringing lawsuits against major multinational companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Gazprom. She has been described as “the rich world’s most powerful trustbuster” and “the world's most famous regulator”.
Vestager's relentless striving for fair competition on the European market, the opportunities that she creates for small and medium-sized enterprises and her contribution to an open, transparent market and more prosperity in Europe were sound enough reasons for the University of Leuven to pin an epitoga on the EU Commissioner’s gown. Margrethe Vestager received her honorary doctorate from the prestigious University on 23 November 2017.
Under her auspices, a package of measures is being proposed that will be closely scrutinized in Silicon Valley. The Digital Markets Act aims to create a level playing field for large- and small-tech companies alike, while increasing innovation, growth and competition, both in Europe and elsewhere. This has consequences for us all, not least in regard to what products and apps we can put on our smartphones. It extends to immediately removing illegal content online such as child pornography or revenge porn, as well as hacked data. Definitely a talk not to be missed!


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BEIJING (AP) - Chinese auto sales sank 7.7% in August from a year earlier extending a painful slump in the industry's biggest global market, an industry group reported Wednesday. ...
Washington Times. Wed, 11 Sep 2019 06:16:40 -0400.
Ferdinand Piech, Volkswagen AG's former chairman and chief executive, who transformed the German carmaker from a regional manufacturer into a global automotive conglomerate, has passed away, German tabloid Bild said on Monday.
CNBC. Mon, 26 Aug 2019 21:35 GMT.
While fears of a chaotic Brexit are helping to drag down the German economy, global trade conflicts and troubles in the auto industry have been mainly blamed for the weak performance.
Daily Mail. Wed, 14 Aug 2019 19:51:57 +0100.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The German economy shrank by 0.1 percent in the second quarter from the previous three-month period as global trade conflicts and troubles in the auto industry weighed on Europe's largest economy. ...
David Mchugh. Washington Times. Wed, 14 Aug 2019 02:27:19 -0400.
Two years after North Carolina lost out on Toyota, it looks like it has another real shot at an automotive assembly operation.
Lauren Ohnesorge. American City Business Journals. Fri, 09 Aug 2019 14:57:50 +0000.
A strong believer in the power of brands, Manley aims to expand the lucrative Ram truck and Jeep SUV divisions as twin engines of global growth.
Bloomberg. Industry Week. Mon, 29 Jul 2019 17:23:00 +0000.


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Hobby Lobby Bought 5,500 Ancient Artifacts Looted From Iraq
Feds fine company $3 million, order it to return all items.
Craft outlet Hobby Lobby is back in the news—but this time, it has nothing to do with its battle against Obamacare.
Instead, it’s all about ISIS.
According to The New York Times, since 2009, the evangelical Christian owners of Hobby Lobby have amassed a collection of more than 5,500 ancient Middle Eastern antiquities—including rare clay cuneiform tablets, which it smuggled into the U.S. The pieces were purchased in 2010 for $1.6 million. They arrived in boxes that marked them simply as clay or ceramic tiles to a trio of Hobby Lobby stores in Oklahoma.
As the Times notes, while Hobby Lobby’s owners were cutting the deal for the tablets, an independent expert hired to work on the deal warned the company that the items may have been looted from sites in Iraq. As RCL has reported in the past, many religious sites have been plundered by terrorist organization ISIS, while it lays waste to parts of Iraq and Syria.
The U.S. Justice Department has forced Hobby Lobby to return all of the pieces and pay an additional $3 million in fines.
Below, watch a story on the artifacts from Oklahoma’s KOCO News, which notes that they were headed for display in the Hobby Lobby–funded Museum of the Bible set to open in Washington, D.C.
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Amid news of a U.S. government shutdown, Hyundai and Nissan are offering payment relief for workers directly affected by the furlough.
Read This Article
Nissan announces pricing for the new 2015 GT-R.
In the CAFE battle of the future, Nissan isn't going to let fuel economy regulations stand in the way of performance.
Nissan settles with the FTC over the recently launched Frontier commercial.


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Bendigo Bank has signed a deal with ASX-listed payments solutions provider Tyro Payments making the latter the exclusive merchant acquiring partner for its business banking customers.
Global Mobile Points of Sale (mPOS) transaction values will exceed US$1.9 trillion by 2024, up from $850 billion in 2019, according to a new report from Juniper Reseach.
International tourists to mainland China will be able to use a version of the Alipay app to make cashless payments from their phones, a report says. Alipay is owned by Ant Financial, an affiliate of retail giant Alibaba.
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