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Smoking's bad for your car's health: Experts say smoked-in motors worth as much as £2,000 less at trade-in
- Cost of returning smoked-in cars to fit for resale condition could shave value off your vehicle
- Physical damage and smell have to be rectified at a cost before selling on
- Smoking with children on board banned in October 2015
We all know smoking is bad for our health, but did you know it's bad for your car too?
If you've been lighting up in your vehicle, your car could be worth up to £2,000 less when it comes time to trade it in, according to experts.
CAP Automotive, which specialises in vehicle values, said the cost of making a smoked-in car fit for resale could considerably reduce the value of your car when you part exchange it for something new.
Bad for your [car's] health: Smoked-in cars will be valued lower than those that haven't been to cover the cost of eradicating the damage and smell caused
The two main issues for dealers taking smoked-in cars in part exchange are physical damage to the interior and smell - something many smokers either don't notice or think is solved by using an air freshener.
'If you're a smoker, the first thing a dealer will do is knock back the price of your part exchange,' says Philip Nothard, retail and consumer editor of the CAP Black Book.
'That's because a car for part-ex has to be made fit for re-sale – a process which is considerably more difficult and expensive when that car was previously driven by a smoker.'
'Even if there is no obvious damage, the smell of smoke is a major problem for motor dealers.
'Smoke becomes ingrained in the fabric of the car and climate control, requiring a professional valet and a special 'bomb' to clean the air conditioning.
'This can cost anything up to £150 and is still no guarantee that the vehicle will smell sufficiently fresh.
'In severe cases, the internal fabric and head cloth may have to be stripped out too – a process which can cost hundreds of pounds.'
Banned: You could be issued with a £50 on-the-spot fine if caught smoking in a car with children on board
Add on the cost of repairing any marks, stains and cigarette burns to dash and upholstery and a car driven by a heavy smoker could easily lose up to £2,000 at trade-in.
'Some dealers tell us they won't even buy vehicles from smokers, because of the time and expense of getting the car properly clean and free of lingering smells,' Mr Nothard added.
'Everyone knows that smoking is bad for our health but few people realise that it can also have a surprisingly nasty impact on the value of your car.'
As of 1 October, it is illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying children and those caught doing so can be issued with £50 on the spot fines.
However, before the introduction of the new law two months ago, a spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said motorists caught smoking a cigarette with children on board will be given a slap on the wrist and let off with a warning rather than issued with a fine.
THE IMPACT OF SMOKING IN CARS ON PART-EX VALUES (CAP AUTOMOTIVE)
Ford Mondeo, 2011 (11 plate)
Mileage: 50,000 miles
Non-smoking car px value: £6,600
Car that's been smoked in px value: £6,175
Cost difference: £425
Mercedes E class, 2012 (61 plate)
Mileage: 40,000 miles
Non-smoking car px value: £12,650
Car that's been smoked in px value: £11,950
Cost difference: £700
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Celcom Axiata is expecting to sell 10,000 BlackBerry Torch by end of this year. That is about 167 Torches a day! They also claim to be the market leader for BlackBerry in Malaysia which they boasts a user base of over 100,000 BlackBerry users which makes up to 51% of the market share.
What’s more interesting is that Celcom also plans to launch the new BlackBerry Bold in a few months time. The Bold in question should be the latest BlackBerry Bold 9780 which was just announced yesterday. Considering we are about 2 months until the year is out, we’re expecting them to launch or initiate another “registration of interest” somewhere in January.
[ SOURCE ]

domain: news


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Afdis, Zimbabwe’s biggest maker and distributor of spirits, wines and ciders, says volumes grew 28% in the quarter to September, despite the impact of COVID-19.
Among Afdis’ most recognisable brands are Viceroy and Klipdrift brandy, Smirnoff vodka, Sting spirit cooler, Amarula, Hunters and Savanna ciders as well as Nederberg wines.
Sales volumes for spirits rose by 43% over the quarter compared to the same time last year. Volumes for ready-to-drink products were up 24%. However, Zimbabweans had less wine than they did last year, with sale volumes falling 38% compared to the same quarter in 2019.
“There was a general improvement in the trading environment characterised by a stability in exchange rates and prices of goods and services. The ability of customers to settle in foreign currency and the foreign currency auction system have brought the well needed relief to the industry and the economy at large,” Afdis says in its latest quarterly trade update.
The company reports that it was able to “meet all its demand and satisfy the market requirements owing to the improved foreign currency supply”.
However, demand was held back by COVID-19, which saw prohibitions on travel and social gatherings, Afdis says.
The company says the impact of coronavirus on its business will depend on how long the pandemic lasts, and what effect it will have on customers, suppliers, employees as well as how Government responds. These uncertainties, the company says, make it hard to fully estimate the full impact of COVID -19 pandemic on the business.
On whether the period of “stability” in the economy can be sustained, Afdis says this will depend on authorities maintaining policy consistency.
“The performance of the economy is largely dependent on the consistency of monetary and fiscal measures put in place by the authorities however management will continue to focus on protection of market share, innovation and cost management to enhance shareholder value.”


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WhatsApp, Meta‘s renowned messaging application, has recently augmented its security apparatus for Android users. The most noteworthy change is the substitution of traditional OTPs with the more sophisticated passkey technology, a method gaining traction across various platforms due to its enhanced resistance against potential phishing efforts and password leaks.
A Dive into Passkeys
A passkey, unlike conventional passwords, is a combination of cryptographic components: a public key and a private key. This private key is securely stored within the user’s device and remains inaccessible to other platforms or services, including WhatsApp itself. The unique feature of passkeys ensures that without the private key, unauthorized access to the account remains improbable. WhatsApp’s recent upgrade means users can now employ their device’s inherent authentication method, be it facial recognition, fingerprint scan, or PINs.
A Growing Trend
This transition isn’t exclusive to WhatsApp. Earlier this year, major platforms like PayPal and TikTok incorporated passkey support for Android users. Additionally, the password manager 1Password initiated passkey-based login for desktop and iOS users after a successful three-month trial.
WhatsApp and Google: Parallel Pathways
Interestingly, WhatsApp’s move to embrace passkeys aligns with Google’s recent strategies. Not long ago, Google expressed its ambition to dispense with passwords across its suite of services and in their place, advocated for passkey implementation both on Android and web platforms. Such coinciding initiatives from major tech entities underline the larger tech industry’s shifting sentiment towards more secure authentication methods.
Steps to Set-Up
Android users eager to adopt this improved security measure on WhatsApp can do so effortlessly. Navigate through WhatsApp’s settings, select ‘Account’, then ‘Passkeys’, and finally ‘Create a passkey’. Following prompts will guide users in setting up their unique passkey using their preferred device authentication method.
While the feature has been confirmed for beta versions, other users might have a brief waiting period before it’s available on their devices.
This modern advancement in security, propelled by WhatsApp, signals a definitive move towards more robust, user-friendly protective measures. The tech industry’s collective shift suggests an inevitable decline of traditional password systems in favor of more efficient, impenetrable methods. As more platforms adopt passkeys, digital user experience is expected to become both smoother and safer.


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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13 2017 @ 13:42 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Dell's Alienware unit announced it made an deal with AMD to secure exclusive Ryzen Threadripper OEM supply until the end of the year. The first Area-51 gaming PCs from Alienware with the Ryzen Threadripper will start shipping on July 27:
"Through 2017, (Alienware) will be the exclusive OEM partner to deliver AMD Ryzen Threadripper pre-built systems to the market and the high-end 16-core will be factory overclocked across all 16-cores and 32 logical threads," Alienware said.
Smaller boutique PC makers like Origin PC, Maingear, iBuypower and Cyberpower will be able to get their hands on Threadripper inventory, but larger players like HP and Lenovo will have to wait until 2018.
The exclusive deal is sure to annoy competitors such as HP and Lenovo, but Alienware said those who roll their own can breathe easy. This exclusive deal won’t block consumers who want to buy the chip and build their own systems.


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The video shows the Watch Urbane in a variety of poses, and possibly shows off the upcoming G4 as well.
In the video you can see the Watch Urbane being worn by a man standing around looking awfully smug with life. And can you really blame him? Besides wearing the Watch Urbane, he is also waving around a smartphone that I suspect is the soon to be announced G4.
Recommended Link: Now, Facebook Messenger on web too
The watch will launch on April 27, one day before the LG G4 flagship is supposed to go official. Quite a coincidence, you might think. Not at all, as it appears the two devices are strongly interconnected.
Smartwatches are made to be paired with smartphones, so the Watch Urbane will find a perfect partner in the coming LG G4. And that's probably what the company is trying to suggest here.
You can see in the image above, the audio jack is on the top of the device in the video while the G3's audio jack is on the bottom to the left of its charging port.
Recommended Link: HTC One M8 to Receive Windows 10 Update
The glimpse of the alleged G4 isn't enough to make any concrete assertions but we don't have too long to wait until we find out since the LG G4 is set to be officially launch on April 28th.


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International trade has been essential to pandemic-fighting efforts by nations across the globe. For example, during the critical phase of their outbreaks, Western nations were able to import millions of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) from Asian nations who were recovering from their initial outbreaks and lockdowns (Bown 2020a, Fiorini et al 2020). China was the source of about half of US PPE imports before Covid. Chinese exports of PPE to the US fell by 19% (relative to the same period last year) when it was suffering its worst outbreak, but with workers returning to factories from March, China rapidly scaled up production and exports. By late March, it was making 12 times more masks than it was making in 2019 (Bown 2020b). Moreover, buyers in the West haveRead More »
Articles by Baldwin, Freeman
Supply chain contagion waves: Thinking ahead on manufacturing ‘contagion and reinfection’ from the COVID concussion
COVID-19’s impact on world manufacturing is radically different than the impact caused by other pandemics over the last 100 years. This one struck all the largest manufacturing economies in the world (Figure 1) – and pretty much all at once. As a result, these nations are entering a very strange type of recession – what might be called the ‘COVID concussion.’
Figure 1 Top 10 manufacturing nations (2015) and COVID cases (31/3/2020)
Source: Authors’ elaboration of OECD TiVA data on gross manufacturing production.Notes: This figure shows each countries’ share of world manufacturing output in 2015.
The negative impact on manufacturing is not primarily


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Microgaming has announced a new partnership with Big Time Gaming to develop new MegaWays video slots.
The leading game developer announced the news earlier this week, revealing it had signed a deal with Big Time Gaming, the owner of the MegaWays game engine, to develop and release games built on the hugely successful slot mechanic.
Under the deal, Microgaming will work with its slew of partnered game developers to create new MegaWays games, all of which are set to release within the coming months.
The first MegaWays game to be developed will be Shamrock Holmes, although no other details about the game were unveiled. The game, which sounds like it will focus on Sherlock Holmes with an Irish spin, will reportedly launch sometime in January 2021.
Speaking about the partnership, Microgaming CEO John Coleman said: “MegaWays has had huge success, and we’re excited to be integrating the mechanic into some of our future games. Big Time Gaming are proven innovators, and we are delighted to extend our relationship with them and grow their presence on our platform.”
Nik Robinson, the CEO at Big Time Gaming, added: “We’re on a mission to bring the MegaWays revolution to a bigger audience, and they don’t come much bigger than Microgaming. These guys were industry pioneers, and today they remain one of the biggest forces in the gaming space. As ardent slots fans, we’re delighted to be contributing in a small way to the Microgaming story.”
Meanwhile, Microgaming has confirmed its calendar of video slot releases for October 2020. Over the month, the developer and its partnered game studios will release a slew of games including the Safari-themed jackpot slot African Legends by Slingshot Studios. The title will include several notable special features to help make more wins and is part of Microgaming’s WowPot progressive jackpot.
Other games to drop later on throughout the month include Gameburger Studios’ Tarzan And The Jewels Of Opar based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 1918 novel, Wild West slot 777 Royal Wheel by Pulse 8 Studios, Aquatic Treasures by Gold Coin Studios, and Fluffy Favourites by Eyecon.
Developer Big Time Gaming will be releasing two of its existing slots through Microgaming – Royal Mint and The Final Countdown – and it will release brand new MegaWays video slot Chocolate which is jam-packed with special features and mechanics.
All games will become available at all Microgaming-partnered casino operators, helping to expand each of these online casino sites’ game selection.
The news comes after Microgaming became one of the first game developers to announce support for Germany’s new online gambling regulations. In a post shared on the Microgaming website, the developer pledged its commitment to offering customers a solution designed specifically to prepare them for the new regulations.
The new rules introduce a licensing regime for gambling operators, and they introduce new measures which have been designed to promote responsible gambling and clamp-down on the number of people suffering from gambling-related harm.
Some of the new rules to be introduced include a five-second interval between spins on video games, maximum stake limits on games, and the rules require gambling operators to impose a monthly deposit cap too. Finally, the new rules require all gaming products to be presented in German.
As explained by Microgaming, the new rules will come into effect July 2021 and only after then will relevant licenses be issued to operators and game developers. Until then, Germany has implemented a policy of transitional tolerance in which developers and operators must work with the German market to adopt the new measures. Those that do not risk being excluded from future licensing.
As a result of this, Microgaming has planned on launching a solution tomorrow (October 15th) that adheres to the German Toleration Regime and provides operators with the support needed to be ready to enter the German market next year. The solution will include more than 100 Microgaming titles including Bonanza MegaWays, 9 Masks Of Fire, and Book Of Oz among many others.
Leon Thomas, the Commercial Director at Microgaming, said in a statement: “As a socially responsible business, Microgaming broadly supports the regulatory changes in Germany, where we will be providing our customers with a solution that includes some of our most popular and successful titles – long before the new gambling laws come into force next year.”
The MegaWays game engine launched back in 2016 by Australian-based developer Big Time Gaming with the aim of increasing player engagement by creating games that offer dynamic and fast-paced gameplay.
The MegaWays engine has proven popular due to its unpredictability; the number of paylines and symbols on the reels change with each spin. Games based on the engine are also packed with traditional slot features such as Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols, Free Spins, and so much more.
Big Time Gaming experienced huge success with MegaWays titles such as Bonanza MegaWays, Dragon Born, Queen Of Riches, StarQuest, White Rabbit, Extra Chilli MegaWays, and more.
Today, the developer licenses the game engine out to other developers like Blueprint Gaming, NetEnt, Red Tiger Gaming, and many more, leading to the launch of popular MegaWays titles like Rick And Morty MegaWays, Fishin’ Frenzy MegaWays, Curse Of The Werewolf MegaWays, Piggy Riches MegaWays, and more.
Big Time Gaming has also been working on new game engines such as the Megaclusters and Megaquads engines, both of which provide new ways of playing slots.
Recent releases from Big Time Gaming include Slot Vegas Megaquads, Star Clusters MegaClusters, Survivor MegaWays, Royal Mint MegaWays, Monopoly MegaWays, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Mystery Box, Lil’ Devil, Kingmaker MegaWays, and a slew of others too.


text: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about difficult times for many businesses, many FinTech startups are starting to see a possible silver lining in its aftermath. The pandemic has pushed consumers to increase their use of contactless payment methods as well as their use of online platforms for making purchases. While, in the short term, discretionary spending from consumers is likely to be severely reduced as consumers rebuild savings and rebound from a rise in unemployment, their increased comfort level with all things digital cannot be overlooked. For example, experts in India are now projecting the significant rise in digital payments (including online commerce and mobile point-of-sale transactions) over the next 4 years, going from USD 64.7 billion in transaction value in 2019 to a projected USD 134.5 billion in transaction value by 2023. In other words, the pandemic might ultimately serve as the impetus for FinTech startups to drastically accelerate their strategies as consumer penetration in these spheres hits new highs.


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A Kingston University art graduate who is dotty about dalmations salvaged an array of Disney merchandise to create a monochrome mountain for her final year project.
Sophie Filipiuk, 22, unearthed the canine cache based on children’s novel and film 101 Dalmations at car boot sales, fetes and charity shops in London and her native Warwickshire.
Sophie, from Leamington Spa, explained that the project Dal-Nation had given her an intriguing opportunity to delve into the world of fanatical collectors and observe the pride they took in their hoard.
She said: “Hoarders are often portrayed as overly compulsive people who have to tunnel through their junk, but I believe there’s actually a fine line between collecting and hoarding.
“One man’s trash is almost always another man’s treasure – my goal was to encourage people to view these often wonderful collections as something other than a slightly outlandish sideshow.”
Sophie revealed that her magpie tendencies are inherited from her parents who collect stamps.
“I’m from a big time collecting family I have spent my life growing up on car boots or summer fetes spending time collecting bits and pieces,” she said. “My parents are extreme stamp collectors – they’ve got a whole room full of them!”
Sophie explained that she was inspired by other artists who had placed dogs at the centre of their creations, including Flora Caulton’s etching DOG and Cornelia Parker’s work of an entire black and white room of art shown at RA Summer Exhibition 2014.
David Remfry’s Dog Dreams at RA Summer Exhibition 2015, a piece featuring an etched dalmatian, also proved an inspiration for the project.
“This proves the public really does like a good black and white dog themed artwork!” she laughed.
The installation features 201 pieces of toys, books, kitchen equipment and other home accessories featuring the print on top of huge spotty cardboard boxes.
“My favourite pieces are a bit depressing – they don’t look anything like dalmations and are wearing crazy outfits!”
Sophie is adamant that hoarders shouldn’t be pigeon-holed by society just because the size of their homes might hinder how their collections can be displayed.
She said: “I wanted Dal-Nation to glorify and celebrate the process of accumulating and displaying massive collections.
“My goal was to encourage people to view these often wonderful collections as something other than a slightly outlandish sideshow.”
To see more of Sophie’s work visit www.sophiefilipiuk.com


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As Noble Studios social media strategist Lindsay Alford began instructing a room full of small-business owners and entrepreneurs on the many uses of Twitter, a woman tentatively raised her hand.
"Excuse me," she said softly, "What's a hashtag?"
Welcome to the 21st century, small-business owners. Experts are here to help.
Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, a statewide nonprofit organization run by volunteers, gathered local exhibitors and panelists Friday at South Point for its fifth-annual Entrepreneur Expo. The expo is a guide for small-business owners learning how to start and build a company.
Part of building a company, the experts agreed, is learning how to use free or inexpensive resources, including Twitter. Hence, the hashtags.
Educational seminars covered the gamut of small-business operations, from finding financing and buying insurance to hiring independent contractors and using social media. Small-business owners wear many hats, said NCET President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Archer, and they want to know how to go it alone.
"If you're a small business, you're doing HR in the morning, IT at lunch and accounting in the afternoon," Archer said.
The expo's 70 exhibitors and seven seminars aimed to "paint a pretty broad brush" for the diverse group of 700 attendees.
Technology was a recurring theme, particularly as it pertains to marketing.
"We used to question whether a business needed a website. We don't question that anymore," said Mike Bindrup, an adviser for the Nevada Small Business Development Center. Bindrup sat on a panel of law, insurance, marketing and accounting experts in a session on successful business tips.
For entrepreneurs who lack Internet savvy, Bindrup recommended a free resource: YouTube.
"You need to consult the oracle. Go to Youtube," he said.
YouTube has a wealth of information (and funny cat videos), but for some information, it's best to consult an expert.
Sisters Faith and Vivian Palmer attended the expo with their mother to learn how to start a business in Nevada. Faith owned an antiques and collectibles company in Orange County, Calif., and the trio plans to relaunch the venture in Las Vegas. But first, they need to learn about business licenses and tax requirements.
"It's a whole different ballgame," Faith said, comparing Orange County standards with Southern Nevada.
"You know it will be different to live here, but things in general are stricter than I thought," Vivian said .
The newcomers picked up important information at the expo: They didn't realize the Las Vegas Valley consists of four jurisdictions -- Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County -- and each requires its own business license.
Dan Ollman isn't a small-business owner, but his clients are. Ollman, funding department manager for Boss Business Services, works with companies to access capital, which is why he attended the expo's session on small-business financing.
"I wanted to see what was available," Ollman said. "I got exactly what I came here for."
Contact reporter Caitlin McGarry at firstname.lastname@example.org or 702-387-5273.


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As we transition from the height of the pandemic to the beginning of recovery, the automotive eCommerce industry will witness significant changes. While some old trends remain, new unexpected ones emerged. For instance, automotive eCommerce is a distinctly different animal than other forms of eCommerce because regulations restrict the sale of new vehicles except through authorized dealers, a move designed to protect the industry rather than the needs of the consumer. Will the future see a slow erosion of these laws to improve eCommerce in the industry or will eCommerce continue its current limitation to the sale of used vehicles. In this article, we’ll explore some of these trends closely. So, let’s dive in.
State of the automotive eCommerce market
As you can see in the graphic above, eCommerce increased substantially during the pandemic and estimates suggest that rise will continue for the foreseeable future.
Despite this trend, the global automotive eCommerce market dipped last year. According to Fortune Business Insights, it fell to $43.62 billion in 2020. That’s a 5.9% decline compared to 2019. More consumers shopped online during the pandemic but faced lower demand for automobiles, likely due to lockdowns that forced many to work from home, shop online (including food delivery instead of restaurant meals), and avoid physical visits within the community. Bottlenecks on the manufacturers’ side, such as factory closures and supply chain disruptions, also contributed to this decline.
However, as vaccinations ramp up this year, more countries will ease restrictions. This may lead to increased demand for automobiles. Coupled with the growth of the eCommerce industry, experts predict an upturn in online car sales. PR Newswire forecasts a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 21.8% from 2021 to 2028.
Higher demand for auto parts also drives growth in the global automotive eCommerce market of the future. The same research mentioned earlier echoes this connection. This is because buyers looking for essential auto parts often search online to find affordable options. Statista projects that the global online automotive aftermarket will grow by a CAGR of 14% between 2020 and 2026. As this sector grows, the overall automotive eCommerce industry will reflect this change.
Automotive eCommerce trends for 2022
More online car sales
Digital vehicle sales remain a trend to watch out for in 2022. A Ford and Sullivan research study found that over a million cars were sold online in 2020. The report forecasts online sales to reach 6 million vehicles by 2025. These projections depend on buyers’ preferences after the pandemic. However, it’s unlikely that a drastic decline occurs. For instance, in a more recent study published this year, Acertus found that 80% of car shoppers consider buying vehicles online. That’s a 50% increase from pre-pandemic figures.
In the survey, buyers highlighted some obstacles to online car purchases. They include:
- Lack of test driving capability
- Shipping fees and inability to assess vehicle condition
- Car return policy
Auto companies that provide solutions to these obstacles will have a chance of capturing a fair share of online buyers next year.
Electric vehicles (EV) are on an upward trend
While EVs are not new, the pandemic has intensified environmental awareness, driving demand for these vehicles. The latest EY Mobility Lens Consumer Index reflects these changes, as shown below.
Source: EY Mobility Lens Consumer Index
As part of legislation passed in the US and pending legislation, if passed, owning an electric vehicle is more appealing as the country adds a large number of charging stations and manufacturers face intense incentives to produce EVs.
As evidence, consider the number of new car shoppers (41%) who intend to buy an EV increased by 11% in 2O21. Also, 78% of buyers who don’t want cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) say that COVID-19 has increased their need to look for eco-friendly options. Even if you don’t offer EV or related accessories, monitor this trend to see how it grows.
Immersive experience with augmented reality (AR)
Many dealerships are yet to start on-premises sales fully. Hence, automobile manufacturers have no option but to find creative ways to give customers a near-test drive experience. Manufacturers like Ford and BMW leveraged AR to provide immersive experiences that motivate purchase. BMW’s virtual viewer allows users to explore vehicles remotely. They can open doors, access the radio, or ask questions. However, this technology is far from novel. Audi launched something similar in 2015.
While AR isn’t yet mainstream, it is gaining traction slowly. Of course, the technology comes at a price that’s a tad steep for automotive eCommerce distributors. But the question is: how far can you go if necessary?
Increased demand for used cars
It’s no longer news that the global shortage of semiconductor chips is slowing car manufacturing. Ford lost production of up to 700,000 vehicles in the second quarter of 2021. Automobile makers General Motors and Nissan experienced similar losses. So, how are customers navigating this change? With used cars.
Automotive eCommerce dealers are capitalizing on this shift. Carvana, an online-only used car company, announced a 96% year-on-year sales increase in the second quarter of this year. Vroom also announced a 172% YoY increase in sales during the same period. This boom is likely to continue in the coming year until the chip shortage is eliminated. Even then, there’s still room for growth.
Like with most high-value items, many vehicle buyers search online for car information to inform their purchase decision long before visiting a dealership. A survey by CarGurus and GfK found that 71% of car shoppers research and compare exhaustively online. They focus on narrowing their options at this stage. Only after this, do they contact dealers mainly by phone (36%) or online (31%).
For auto components, Hedges & Company reports that:
- 74% of all parts and accessories buyers do pre-purchase research online.
- 73% search on auto parts retailer websites
- 57% look at the manufacturer website
- 47% research on automotive forums
Whether the deal is closed online or offline, engaging the buyer at this point is critical. And that’s possible with the use of strategic content including how-to guides, instructional videos, product comparisons, price guides, and more. Online auto dealers Carvana and O’Reilly Auto Parts are already picking up on this.
Mobile-first digital stores
Source: Hedges & Company
The same Hedges & Company research found $10.4 billion in online auto parts revenue in 2020 came from mobile devices. That’s a 40% increase from 2019 figures. A key driver to this growth is cross-device shopping. Buyers often use multiple devices as they move through their purchasing journey. In most cases, they close the deal using their mobile devices. Experts expect mobile shopping in the auto parts sector to continue growing.
More value-driven online experiences
What do online automotive buyers want? AutoTrader surveyed UK car shoppers to find an answer. The responses include:
- Speed. 35% of car buyers shop online to get their vehicles quicker
- Convenience. 46% want an easy shopping experience
- Better offers. 33% consider buying cars online to compare deals
- Avoid Haggling. 23% are looking to avoid endless bargaining.
Customers unsurprisingly seek vendors that meet these expectations. Thus, value-driven online experiences are likely to rise in 2022. Here, an auto parts eCommerce software with a responsive design, user-friendly navigation, and detailed product descriptions is worth considering.
As with all predictions, the extent to which these trends will make an impact is uncertain. Today, customers’ needs lean heavily towards online experiences. This has provided considerable opportunities to the automotive eCommerce industry. As the market recovers in the coming year, we hope to see these favorable trends in action. One thing is certain. Businesses that take these predictions into account will likely fare better than those that don’t.
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Thursday, August 18, 2022
Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. and Organon & Co. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the citrate-free, high-concentration (100 mg/mL) formulation of HADLIMA™ (adalimumab-bwwd), a biosimilar referencing HUMIRA® (adalimumab). HADLIMA will be available in pre-filled syringe and autoinjector options, and the autoinjector was specifically designed with the patient in mind. HADLIMA was previously approved by the FDA as a low-concentration (50 mg/mL) formulation in July 2019 and outside the US that formulation has been available in various markets globally under different brand names, with over 5 million doses sold since 2018.1,2
“With this approval, we now have both a low and high concentration adalimumab biosimilar approved by the FDA, marking an important step towards expanding treatment options for patients suffering from certain chronic, autoimmune diseases,” said Byoungin Jung, Vice President and Regulatory Affairs Team Leader, Samsung Bioepis. “By leveraging our development expertise, manufacturing excellence and supply chain reliability, we will continue our work to ensure healthcare systems have more affordable treatment options available,” she added.
“Based on our success commercializing our adalimumab biosimilar in other markets around the world, combined with our established presence in the biosimilar space, we are excited about the opportunity to launch HADLIMA in the US in 2023,” said Joe Azzinaro, Vice President, Global Commercial Lead Biosimilars, Organon. “Today, adalimumab is the largest drug expense in the US. We look forward to making our biosimilar available for those that rely on it to help manage their disease.”
The approval of citrate-free, high-concentration HADLIMA was based on clinical data from a randomized, single-blind, two-arm, parallel group, single-dose study that compared the pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of two formulations of HADLIMA (100 mg/mL vs 50 mg/mL) in healthy volunteers.3
HADLIMA is expected to be launched on or after July 1, 2023 by Organon.


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LAHORE, DEC. 2018: CCL’s flagship brand, Pulmonol, has become its first brand in Pakistan to hit the rupee one billion sales milestone this week, according to the September 2018 IMS MAT report.
“I would like to thank the entire CCL team for helping us achieve this major milestone of spreading one billion smiles among the communities,” said Khalid Shafiq, Director of Marketing and Sales Consumer Health.
“Pulmonol entails 5 decades of effective cough therapy and is a vital part of CCL’s family of innovative products, which has been established through decades of hard work and team collaboration of the Consumer Healthcare (CH) Marketing and Sales team” remarks an excited Muhammad Shakeel, General Manager Sales, CH.
“We are glad that this brand is making such a huge impact on patients. Through excellent quality and effectiveness, Pulmonol products are winning the trust of patients to help them feel better,” says Mansoor Ahmad, Senior Brand Manager, CH.
This milestone was celebrated by the CH team this week as they reached out to all CCL colleagues in the Head Office distributing chocolates and cards, announcing the milestone and expressing their gratitude.


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The Only FANG Stock Worth Buying Is…FB) and Amazon (AMZN) have continued moving higher against all odds, Google (GOOGL) and Netflix (NFLX) have struggled. That being said, the upside here for both Facebook and Amazon looks pretty limited, which is why I think investors should divert their focus to Netflix and buy the stock while it is under $100.
Recently, Netflix’s management proclaimed that the company would add around 0.5 million domestic streaming users in the next approaching quarter, a decline of 0.4 million users compared to year ago period.
On the other hand, revenue and profit generated from the domestic segment are expected to carry on escalating at a rapid rate for the next two years mainly due to increasing average revenue per user. Netflix also plans to surge subscription costs by $2 per month that will be carried out in phases. Carrying out the hike in phases will enable the company to know if it is resulting in high cancellations or not. Going forward, Netflix’s secret weapon could be higher rates, as the company surged rates two years before in May 2014, proposing prevailing users a facility to continue paying the original rate for two years.
Throughout the past few years, Netflix’s technology and development budget has escalated marginally faster compared to its overall revenue, as in 2015, it surged 38 percent to $651 million. That figure accounts for almost 10 percent of Netflix’s overall top-line. But, various things are included in these expenses such as testing, altering and maintaining user interface, retailing and streaming delivery technology and infrastructure. However, it is not surprising, as these expenses will additionally increase with the growing subscriber base.
Apart from these, most significantly, Apple just efficiently gave Netflix a 15 percent price surge for its mobile subscribers, and the company can anticipate considerably more subscribers moving onward. In the last quarter of 2015, the company started a sign up option on mobile, as it believes that mobile is the crucial way people access the Internet. And mobile sign up will certainly help the company to get more subscribers.
As of now, I think Netflix is the best FANG stock that investors can buy. Facebook and Amazon both look overbought at these levels. And as for growth stocks, Google doesn’t look as appealing as Netflix. Thus, I think investors should add Netflix to their portfolios on the dip.
Published on Jun 23, 2016By Prudent Investor


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A recently acquired furniture maker in the region has named its new president, in addition to making other leadership changes.
Holland-based Trendway appointed Mark Rhoades to president and promoted CFO Jack Chance to CFO and VP of operations and customer experience, according to the company last week.
Rhoades replaces Bill Bundy, who served as Trendway’s interim president from July to October and as its CEO from 2007-16.
The company also hired Chris Tattersall and Kerry Ferguson as regional directors of sales.
The changes come after the acquisition of Trendway in August by Itasca, Illinois-based Fellowes Brands.
“On behalf of the entire Fellowes Brand team, we’d like to congratulate Mark Rhoades and Jack Chance on their new leadership roles,” said John Fellowes, president and CEO, Fellowes Brands.
“I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to Bill Bundy as he completes his interim role as Trendway president. Bill’s guidance ensured a smooth and successful transition following Don Heeringa’s retirement.”
Heeringa oversaw Trendway for 46 years and most recently was its chair and majority owner.
Rhoades will have full oversight of all Trendway operations, with a focus on growing sales, optimizing manufacturing capacity and the ongoing integration into Fellowes Brands.
Rhoades previously served as president of Mesa, Arizona-based ESI Ergonomic Solutions from 2017-18, after Fellowes Brand acquired the company in 2017. Before that, he was president and CEO of Huntington Beach, California-based Highmark Seating.
He holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Missouri Trulaske College of Business.
In his expanded role, Chance will lead finance and purchasing, operations, customer care and information technology, as well as providing local oversight of the human resources team.
Prior to his six-year tenure at Trendway, Chance was director of corporate finance and purchasing at Kentwood-based National Heritage Academies and a controller at Cascade Township-based Mill Steel Company.
He hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting and computer science from Texas Christian University.
Tattersall brings more than 30 years of contract furniture industry experience to Trendway, including 18 years as owner of Norcross, Georgia-based Trendway dealer Diversified Resource Group.
He hold a B.S. in education from The Citadel and an M.S. in sports management from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
After a brief stint this year as director of public sector at ESI, Ferguson is returning Trendway for the regional sales director role.
She has more than 23 years of contract furniture industry experience, serving in marketing, distribution and sales leadership roles, including at the furniture dealer Glover Sales Group in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
She holds a B.S. from Towson University.


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A controversial deal between Verizon and four cable companies won federal approval Thursday despite warnings that the collaboration would undermine consumer choice and drive up prices for Internet, phone and television services.
The approval by the Justice Department amounted to an acknowledgment that the federal government had little power to curb steeply rising telecommunications bills for data-hungry Americans, said consumer groups and analysts.
Federal officials imposed several conditions on the $3.6 billion deal in hopes of preserving competition in communities — including much of the Washington area — where Verizon’s FiOS service already battles cable services such as Comcast’s Xfinity for customers.
But the robust digital competition once envisioned by policymakers has failed to develop in most of the nation, leaving a series of dominant regional players offering expensive bundles of services for broadband Internet, phone and television from a single company.
Traditional cable operators dominate that market and, analysts say, are likely to tighten their hold in the years ahead. While competition over delivering television programming is mounting, running broadband lines into homes is so costly that new players struggle to catch up with the existing infrastructure of the cable companies.
“You have an effective monopoly of broadband [Internet] within the country,” said Mark Cooper, research director for the Consumer Federation of America. “The question is, what do you do?”
December’s deal was unusual because it brought together rivals who had been fiercely competing over bringing high-speed service to homes. It allowed Verizon to buy a coveted but unused swath of cellphone bandwidth controlled by the cable companies, which include Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks. They also inked an agreement in which they agreed to work with Verizon to market each other’s products and share in some research efforts.
Some analysts criticized the deal as amounting to a white flag in Verizon’s development of FiOS, which, since its inception in 2005, was seen as the main challenger to high-speed data services offered by the cable companies. Consumer groups, unions and member of Congress expressed alarm and urged careful scrutiny by the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission.
Federal officials concluded that the deal, as initially reached among the companies, would harm consumers by hindering their incentive to compete over price and the quality of their services. But officials balked at calls to block the deal outright because the two sides largely are in different businesses, competing directly to provide a limited set of services in a limited number of markets.
About 19 million American households, mostly on the East Coast, are slated eventually to have access to FiOS. As the Justice Department noted in court documents submitted with the approval Thursday, Verizon announced last year it would sharply curb the rollout of the service because of the high cost of running new wires into homes and businesses, meaning that area of competition was unlikely to expand beyond that.
Federal officials decided to negotiate conditions intended to maintain competition where it already existed and limit elements of the collaboration to 2016, with the possibility of renewal if the Justice Department approves the extension. In areas where Verizon offers FiOS and Comcast offers Xfinity, for instance, neither can market the other company’s services.
The time limit on elements of the deal also would allow Verizon to resume expanding its FiOS network if the economics of the business changed.
“We’re always concerned about competition,” said Joseph Wayland, acting assistant attorney general for the antitrust division. “That’s why we have imposed these conditions.”
Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen issued a statement saying, “We are pleased that the consent decree that we have negotiated with the Department of Justice preserves the most important goals of the agreements.”
Verizon said in a statement, “We believe we have addressed the Department of Justice’s concerns. We now believe the consumer benefits of the transaction will be promptly realized.”
(The Washington Post Co. operates cable systems in parts of the country; they are not part of the deal with Verizon.)
The FCC must also approve the deal, though it worked closely with Justice officials in developing the conditions announced Thursday, as did the New York state attorney general. The FCC is expected to approve Verizon’s plan to sell to T-Mobile some of the cellphone bandwidth acquired in the cable deal and also to offer roaming to other cellphone companies, according to people familiar with the matter.
Thursday’s Justice Department action won applause from analysts and some members of Congress, who said the new conditions would limit the most worrisome elements of Verizon’s new relationship with the cable companies. But it did not entirely satisfy the loudest critics of the Verizon deal, who complained that federal officials need to be aggressive in ensuring competition for services increasingly deemed essential by Americans.
“Without meaningful competition for broadband, the cable companies will be able to charge whatever they want — and drive consumers to purchase expensive bundles of services they don’t want or need in order to get Internet service,” Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said in a statement.
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who had also expressed concerns about the Verizon deal, issued a statement praising the new limits and saying, “As with any significant change to the communications landscape, vigorous oversight of implementation is essential to ensure that consumers benefit, competition is promoted and innovation is ignited to the benefit of our economy and job creation.”
The approval of the Verizon deal may prompt calls for more aggressive regulation of the telecommunications industry. The failure of competition to develop over broadband service in most of the country revealed the limits of the federal government’s approach to protecting consumers from a rapidly changing but increasingly crucial industry.
Analysts said there was little the Justice Department or FCC could do to encourage more competition if Verizon was not committed to expanding FiOS. Cable companies, meanwhile, have failed to move into wireless phone services. The landmark 1996 Telecommunications Act envisioned both industries gradually moving into the strongholds of the other, but that has proven daunting to both sides.
“Cable’s infrastructure has essentially won the war on the ground,” said analyst Craig Moffett of Bernstein Research. “At the same time, the wireless companies have won the war in the air.”


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Bayern Munich enriches the Albanians
Supremacy of German teams in the Champions League has exalted fans of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the finalists of this edition of the Champions Room. The festive atmosphere for the results obtained from the heart has led teams in the "seventh heaven" German supporters across the globe, who as never before in history will enjoy the final on 25 May, a thoroughly German in "Wembley". Are affected by this euphoria as the fans Albanian landscape reports, more numerous they Bavaria, who wish that finally the time has come to celebrate victory in the Champions League after recent success in 2001. Even in Tirana, triumphs and Borussias have exalted Bayern fans, who have recently begun to celebrate these successes in the streets and shops of the capital wearing uniforms make the cheer team. But this desire to resembling as much as the teams that do ultrasve marked fanaticism is reflected in consumer goods. Under what traders report Albanians, only over a period of 15 days recorded a record for the sale of sports products. From a study conducted in the capital markets learned that only the last two weeks have been selling shirts on average 20 days (especially Bayern), although they may be original brands, or even imitations. According to statistics, the average age of customers is about 15 to 17 years. But this trend is expected to increase even more in the following days, considering the fact that the two teams will face off in the final between them and, therefore, expected to have an influx of requests for other sports products and Borussia Bayern, because now two German clubs also have their own private bars where the atmosphere and the game is similar to that of the stadium. Italians, still favorites Albanian consumer always remains oriented primarily to Italian clubs, in terms of consumption of sports products. According to a market survey in Tirana, T-shirts are the most requested Italian teams Milan, Juventus and Inter. While after the Italian team, customer prefers materials Spanish sports clubs, where T-shirts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are required more and more.


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China's spending on technology goods and services is expected to climb 8 percent to reach U$147 billion this year, driven in large by the public sector and businesses' digital transformation efforts.
While the country's GDP growth dropped to its lowest in 25 years, to below 7 percent last year, spending on tech would remain robust in 2016, according to Forrester.
The research firm added that local organisations would continue to implement digital transformation initiatives, pushing investments in business technology up by 25 percent this year to U$11 billion. Expenditure in this segment would account for 16 percent of overall tech spending, with CIOs across all verticals tapping such tools to better understand customers and improve user experience.
Tech spending in the public sector was projected to grow 12 percent to US$30 billion, driven by government-led initiatives in healthcare, education, social services, and across its agencies.
Forecast to be China's biggest tech spender in 2016, the government would be looking to upgrade its central infrastructure and systems for better efficiency and to tap data analytics to enhance citizen services.
According to Forrester, the Chinese central government would launch several "golden projects" this year that would see further investment in data centers and big data. The Guangdong provincial government, for instance, would establish a data coordination bureau to collect and analyse data to improve internal processes.
Local governments would focus its efforts on improving citizen services, such as Beijing, which had partnered Tencent to tap the latter's WeChat messaging platform to deliver information to as well as gather feedback from citizens.
Forrester noted that these initiatives would drive investments in cloud, data analytics, mobile apps, and consulting services to help the government integrate new technologies with legacy systems.


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A high-profile user departs Instagram, Apple wants its day in court, and Greenpeace quizzes a couple of giants about their energy hygiene. The remainders for Thursday, April 19, 2012, are picture perfect.
Apple Marketing SVP Phil Schiller dumps Instagram over expansion to Android (9to5Mac)
Apple senior vice president of marketing Phil Schiller is no longer rocking Instagram, it seems. A perceptive user of the photo-sharing service noticed that the exec’s account was nowhere to be found. When the user inquired, Schiller reportedly responded that Instagram had “‘jumped the shark’ when it went to Android.” Hey, if anybody knows about shark-jumping it’s
the dude with a dolphin in his profile picture.
Apple wants trial on ebook price-fixing: lawyer (Reuters)
When it comes to
allegations of colluding to set ebook prices, Apple is not about to go quietly into that good night. The company’s lawyer said before a judge on Wednesday that the case should “be decided on the merits.” Look, people, if Apple had really set out to fix prices, do you think they’d still be broken?
How Clean is Your Cloud? (Flickr)
Greenpeace put up a banner on a building near Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, asking the online retailer (as well as local tech giant Microsoft) “How clean is your cloud?” It’s part of the organization’s protest over the kind of energy being used to power companies’ data centers. But, but, how do you get cleaner than a cloud?


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Never one to rest on their laurels and following several years of speculation, Sunseeker announces the forthcoming launch of a brand-new high-performance day boat – the Hawk 38. Sunseeker has returned to its performance roots to deliver an exciting and dynamic stepped hull in conjunction with Fabio Buzzi Design, winner of 43 World Speed Records and 55 World Championships!
The R35 is the world’s first Princess performance sports yacht and delivers a revolution in dynamics, efficiency and accessibility through Formula 1 and America’s Cup racing technology from the unique partnership with Ben Ainslie Racing Technologies. The Princess R35 mixes traditional Princess attributes of craftmanship and quality with functional elegance and beauty delivered by the Princess Design Studio collaboration with the world-famous Pininfarina styling house. The WSB team take a closer look at this new revolution from Princess yachts.
Agapi 950 is a high performance, lightweight and fuel efficient family boat that fits a modern boating life. Agapi combines the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) concept with an innovative and intelligent Swedish design. This has resulted in a boat that opens up a new dimension of freedom. A well thought through design, production and logistics, coupled with high fuel efficiency means a significantly lower cost of ownership compared to many of their closest competitors, so Agapi say. The WSB team take a closer look at this super rib.
Once again Frauscher is opening the International Boat Show season with fresh design and innovation, welcome, the new 747 Mirage. The iconic numbers 747, are well renowned in the aeronautical industry, however Frauscher see their 747 as worthy contender to carry such numbers. Frauscher have continued to push the boundaries in the sports boat market, so the WSB team see if Frauscher have stepped up to the mark and can lay claim to those iconic numbers in a nautical sense.
Bavaria has announced the Highline editions across the range following on from the success of the Sport 39 “Highline” Edition, the Sport 35 and 35 HT as well as the Sport 44 and 44 HT can now also be ordered as a “Highline”-Editions. These new special editions ares equipped with unique features and an extended standard configuration, and are aimed at a competitive market price to lure interest. The WSB team takes a closer look into the detail of the new features available.
Jaguar Cars has unveiled an exciting and unique styling concept at the international driving debut of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake. ‘The Concept Speedboat by Jaguar Cars’ showcases the design DNA of the British premium luxury and sports car manufacturer in an unexpected and spectacular package.
One year after the launch of the Key Largo 34 IB and Key Largo 27 IB, Sessa Marine boosts its Open line, introducing the sterndrive version of the KEY LARGO 24. The squared-off bow together with the aggressive lines of the cockpit area, designed by Christian Grande, Sessa Marine Group designer for many years, remind those sophisticated and typical drawings of sportive cars. We at WSB see if its another model of the range about to become a benchmark in the market thanks to its elegant style and smart solutions.


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Nova Mortis and Abbadon stability issues to be addressed.
Bungie’s Destiny will see the return of Iron Banner on January 17th with the game mode being Clash this time around. Legendary sidearms and rocket launchers will be on hand this time around along with Iron Banner gauntlets and chest armour.
However, more interestingly, there will be a hotfix on Tuesday to address some long-standing issues. Hotfix 220.127.116.11 will go live at 9:30 AM PST and will fix problems like some enemies in the Plaguelands not dropping their respective items for Patrol missions; Xur’s “Curio” inventory varying because of inventory limitations; and stability problems with the Nova Mortis and Abbadon Exotic machine guns.
The full patch notes will be available on January 17th so there’s likely to be more in store for players. Along with Iron Banner Clash and a new hotfix, what are your thoughts on Destiny these days, especially with The Dawning having wrapped up? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information.


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The Finland-based health technology firm has launched its indoor vertical planter system for the UK market to improve air quality in workplaces.
The smart furniture uses plants with non-allergen properties to reduce harmful chemicals in the airs and moderate humidity. The system is soil-less to avoid pests and mould and includes an in-built lighting system to replicate natural daylight.
The green walls work by absorbing air through their roots. The microbes in the roots purify the air and small, unseen fans filter the purified air back into the room.
According to the company, one Naava planter can purify up to 60m² of indoor air – the equivalent of 6,000 potted plants in that same area.
"With the average person spending 22 hours a day indoors it is of the upmost importance that toxic air quality is reduced," says Neil Jenks, managing director of Office Blueprint.
"We are committed to healthy, inspiring and stress-free office environments which contributes to enhanced wellbeing."
This system costs about £189/month for the vertical planter and service.


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CV Sciences Eagerly Anticipating FDA Rulemaking On CBD In Dietary Supplements
Duffy MacKay, senior VP of scientific and regulatory affairs at CV Sciences, offers his predictions regarding the FDA’s likely course in regulating CBD’s use in dietary supplements – action that is sorely needed as the market continues to crowd with CBD products “with who-knows-what in them.”
You may also be interested in...
Even in the “highly unlikely event” that the FDA does make CBD supplements legal, it will not do so retroactively, according to plaintiffs against CV Sciences in California’s Central District. However, the federal court, which also is hearing a similar case against competitor Charlotte’s Web, is not convinced.
The National Advertising Division has notified the US Federal Trade Commission of claims seen at Bloomingdales.com for one of Mask, LLC’s CBD-infused sheet masks, including the product’s name, which implies unsupported acne treatment benefits, according to the NAD.
Four major trade organizations applauded the introduction of HR 8179, which would remove statutory impediments to CBD’s lawful use in dietary supplements, subjecting CBD to the same requirements in place for any new dietary ingredient. The Natural Products Association, on the other hand, is calling the bill a misstep.


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Diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Engine Company (Cummins Engine Inc) recently said that the company plans in the next few years in its office headquarters in Indiana recruit 600 new employees.
It is reported that the headquarter of Cummins Indiana covers an area of â€‹â€‹130,000 square feet (about 11.21 million square meters), and the investment amount is 18 million US dollars, which is adjacent to the company's corporate park in Columbus. Cummins has carried out three expansion activities in the region since last year. After the recruitment of employees, Cumminsâ€™s number of employees in Columbus will approach 3,000, which is about three times the number of local employees in 2008.
Cummins said that the company plans to recruit engineers, human resources, information technology, marketing and administrative management personnel for its headquarters building in Columbus.
According to statistics released by Cummins, the company's performance in 2010 was impressive, which was largely due to the rapid development of the international market (especially China, India, and Brazil). According to the data, more than 60% of Cumminsâ€™ sales are from markets outside the United States.
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The latest industry news and insights
The company has introduced a new piece of kit, which until now has only been used in the world of high-octane adventure sports. This new kit has been specifically designed for water damaged phones. It works by physically sucking moisture from electronic mobile devices, using a self-contained silica pack. After arriving for analysis, phones and other technical equipment are dropped in the Ziploc-style bag and left to dry out overnight. The low-cost service works on all types of devices – from state-of-the-art PDAs and tablets to basic handsets.
Mobile phone evidence plays a crucial role in criminal and civil investigations. In the last seven years, CYFOR has seen over a 50 per cent increase in the number of ‘phones which have undergone forensic analysis for all manner of crimes, ranging from petty theft and embezzlement to serious fraud and murder. However, the simple act of dropping a handset into a glass of water is enough to hinder the efforts of investigators looking to uncover all of a mobile ‘phone’s hidden secrets.
Keith Cottenden, forensic services director at CYFOR, said:
“The growing number of new mobiles and smart phones has stretched the investigative capacity of Britain’s police and lawyers.”
“As demand for phone testing increases, budgets have simultaneously decreased. It’s therefore vital that all investigative avenues are explored – any service that goes that extra step is a welcome addition to the digital forensics industry.”
“Water damage is a common problem; approximately 10% of all ‘phones we receive have been damaged in some way. Invariably, this impacts on the amount of data that can be extracted. However, thanks to this simple device, CYFOR can now offer a new defence against water damage.”
After submitting an enquiry, a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible
Your information will only be used to contact you, and is lawfully in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) act, 2018.


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A Georgia-based movie theater chain has selected Agilysys Inc.s (Nasdaq: AGYS) document management software package. Carmike Cinemas Inc. plans to use the software in its accounts payable, administration and human resources departments, according to a statement from Mayfield Heights-based Agilysys. Agilysys software allows users to archive and manage scanned and electronic documents, according to the statement. Carmike, which is headquartered in Columbus, Ga., operates 307 theaters. The company posted revenues of $494 million last year.
Theater chain buys Agilysys software
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Toyota said on Tuesday it will partner with Uber to explore ridesharing and will make a strategic investment in the company. » Read More
The meeting comes after a report claimed Facebook employed bias in the way it selected stories for its "Trending Topics" feature.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says his company has many ways to keep its options open to compete in the wireless arena.
Donald Trump may not be perfect, but he'd be much better for the country than Hillary Clinton, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says.
Ailing Tiger Woods said Monday he hopes to return to competitive golf soon, but he did not give a specific timeline.
As daily fantasy sports face more scrutiny in the U.S., the industry's small businesses are increasingly concerned about getting shut out.
A top former executive has a warning for corporate America.
Amazon worries unions will burden its operations, hurting the nimbleness of its facilities, The New York Times reports.
Google is unveiling its next big projects at the I/O conference Wednesday, including watches, VR, and cars, the Verge reports.
One analyst says J.C. Penney's sales shortfall is giving investors a chance to buy into its turnaround story.
The case involves a man whose wife died of a lung cancer-related brain tumor after smoking the company's low-tar cigarettes.
The Supreme Court rejected Exxon Mobil's appeal of a $236 million judgment against it in a case over water contamination.
A monthly index of sentiment by the National Association of Home Builders registered 58 yet again in May, the same as April.
New equity crowdfunding rules will allow anyone to invest in restaurant start-ups, opening the universe up to new sources of finance.
Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg gave a stirring commencement speech, focused on the subject of resiliency. The Verge reports.
Berkshire Hathaway has offered to be a potential finance partner for fellow billionaire Dan Gilbert's bid to buy Yahoo, Warren Buffett confirmed to CNBC.
Warren Buffett's investment company reduced its holdings in a number of big names, as well.
A majority of CFOs believe Hillary Clinton will destroy Donald Trump in the election, according to the CNBC Global CFO Council survey.
Even as beneficiaries acknowledge Obamacare gave them insurance, there remains a strong undercurrent of discontent, The New York Times reports.
Manufacturing activity in New York State unexpectedly slumped in May, a New York Federal Reserve survey showed on Monday.
Transports stocks are down thanks to the underperformance of major airlines.
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Think the mall is dead? Then you must not have visited one of these malls recently.
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The cement industry is preparing to reap the benefits of upcoming mega projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Players in the cement industry are set to enhance their cumulative production capacity by almost 50 percent in the next few years with an estimated investment of $2.12 billion, according to the analytical report published by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The cement industry is currently undergoing a major transformation, as a number of players are planning capacity expansions. Specifically, almost half of the players in the industry have so far announced capacity expansion, and more than 3.0 million tons capacity has already been added in the outgoing financial year FY18.
In cumulative terms, this would add 23.4 million tons towards the production facility – a staggering increase of about 50 percent over the next few years – to reach around 72.8 million tons. The expected expansion may be even higher if other firms (with 8.1 million tons in the pipeline) also join this campaign.
The expansion of production capacity is likely with the increase in foreign and local investments, setting up of different manufacturing units, generations of jobs, tax revenues and related businesses, synergizing allied industries such as steel, marble, wood, engineering, etc,.
On the other hand, the industry will make imports of machinery for the planned expansion.
According to information collected from firms and PSX notices, the additional capacity would result in the imports of the machinery of around US$ 1.5 billion (near Rs 178 billion) over the next few years. In the cement industry, the cost of machinery imports comes around 70 percent of total cost of the unit/project. This means the overall estimated cost of expansion would be around Rs 254 billion.
The factors behind this extraordinary expansionary drive in cement industry mainly include:
- Continued activity under CPEC related projects: The prospect of growing cement demand are stemming from CPEC related project which include construction of an integrated road infrastructure; modernization of railways; and development of Gwadar city, seaport and airport. Moreover, the development of special economic zones across the country may also sustain demand for cement going forward.
- Increased focus on development spending by the government: The demand for cement is also likely to remain high as government has a planned numerous mega projects. In this regard, the worth noting mega water and power sector projects include: Dasu, Diamer Bhasha and Bunji multipurpose projects; and major rehabilitation and expansion of Mangla, Tarbela and Warsak power stations. In addition, large highway and motorway projects (which are outside the ambit of CPEC) have been initiated by the government.
- Huge construction activities due to housing deficit: The demand pressures may continue going forward due to persistent housing shortages (bridging this gap would require huge quantity of cement and related construction materials). The room for growth is evident from the fact that per capita cement consumption in Pakistan is the lowest amongst regional economies.
- Economies of Scale, & Export of Cement: With current expansion plans, the industry might be able to exploit economies of scale and gain competitive advantage. While there is a need to explore new markets to utilize their excess capacities post expansion, efforts in this regard could also increase export earnings in coming years
However, for a sound market share in export market, the cement manufacturers will have to compete with Iranian and Chinese cement manufacturers through improvement in cost efficiencies.
Cement Industry-Current Dynamics and Future Prospects Sustained expansion in economic activity and investment in various infrastructure projects under PSDP and CPEC, coupled with increased demand from private housing schemes have bolstered construction sector during last few years.
Margins of Cement Industry Are Higher
Healthy profit margin is another important factor that helps the industry to undergo capacity expansion. Specifically, the gross profit to sales ratio has averaged around 33 percent for the last five years – more than double the manufacturing sector’s overall average.
The industry benefited from a slump in global market for raw material (e.g., POL and coal) and historic low domestic interest rates. The margins for the industry strengthened when, instead of passing on the benefit to consumers, firms increased the local retail prices.
Overview of Cement Industry
The cement industry is important for the economy. Besides making a direct contribution of 7.5 percent to large-scale manufacturing, the industry influences growth in the allied segments (e.g., steel; chemicals, wood etc). At present, there are 24 manufacturing units operating in the country with a total installed annual capacity of 49.4 million tons.
The industry operates in two separate zones – North and South – with Northern Zone representing around 80 percent of the total production capacity and sales. The manufacturers in the South Zone have more room for revenue diversification as they can tap a number of export markets. The export potential for manufacturers in the Northern Zone, however, is limited to Afghanistan and India only.
The cement industry is also very competitive as manufacturers strive to maintain their market share, which drives up their production capacity. A historical review of the industry suggests that the firms strategize their capacity expansions to uphold their position in the market. In some cases, established and strong manufacturers even acquire smaller firms. As a result, the overall market share of large firms undergoes only a minor change following an expansionary phase.


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Facebook Again Cuts Price of Oculus Rift VR Headset
Facebook Inc. for the second time this year is slashing the price of its Oculus Rift to jump-start sales after a rocky first year for the virtual-reality device.
For the next six weeks, Facebook's Oculus VR unit will charge $399 for the Rift, Touch motion controllers and some games. Previously, Oculus sold that bundle for $598, itself a $200 discount from their combined launch prices.
The new, temporarily lowered bundle price doesn't account for the cost of buying a computer powerful enough to support the Rift. It does, though, put the price of owning the high-end headset on par with its toughest competitor, Sony Corp.'s PlayStation VR. That headset requires gamers to also buy a PlayStation 4 console, which runs anywhere from $249 to $399.
The average number of Rift headsets sold each week went up after the first price cut, said Jason Rubin, head of content at Oculus. He said the company is lowering the price again to capitalize on a dramatic increase in recent months of the number of games and apps for the device. There are more than 700 today, up from roughly 400 in March.
"Now is the time to be pushing consumers into the product because they'll find exciting things to do," he said.
The latest price cut comes as Oculus, which Facebook bought for more than $2 billion in 2014, faces mounting competition from HTC Corp. and Sony. Sales of headsets powered by smartphones have far outsold heavier-duty devices like the Rift. And Oculus also has grappled with internal problems, resulting in the departure of co-founder Palmer Luckey in late March.
Oculus hasn't disclosed sales for the Rift, but analysts say it continues to trail its rivals by a wide margin. Research firm IDC estimates the device has sold about 520,000 units world-wide to date, compared with 770,000 of HTC's Vive headsets and 1.6 million PlayStation VR headsets.
Facebook said it has provided more than $250 million in funding to developers to drive more content for the Rift. The social-media company said it plans to dole out $250 million more over an undisclosed period.
Virtual reality still doesn't have a breakout hit game or app, though, something analysts say is critical for broadening its appeal. Meantime, executives at major technology companies have shifted their focus in recent months to VR's cousin, augmented reality.
At Facebook's annual developer conference in April, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company would make its augmented-reality tools available to third parties. It is also developing its own augmented-reality glasses.
Write to Sarah E. Needleman at email@example.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 10, 2017 03:14 ET (07:14 GMT)


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Reports suggest that Samsung could be set to add satellite connectivity to its next line of Android flagships.
According to new reports, the next generation of Samsung’s flagship Android devices may support satellite connectivity similar to that introduced in the iPhone 14.
The company is reportedly working with US satellite communications company Iridium to provide the technology, and it could feature in the upcoming Galaxy S23 lineup.
Satellite communications in the S23
The story was first reported by Korean outlet ETNews (via ice universe on Twitter). It says Samsung is looking to join Apple and Huawei in bringing satellite communications to its devices, and has been working on it for two years.
The company works in conjunction with Iridium, which offers voice and data communications via 66 low-orbit satellites.
If supported in Galaxy phones, the technology could be used to send text messages as well as small pictures. That would put it beyond the iPhone’s offering, which is largely limited to texting important data to rescuers in emergency situations.
Of course, satellite technology is a fairly niche addition to a smartphone and is only used in areas where you don’t have mobile or Wi-Fi coverage. And while Iridium’s network covers the entire world , there is no guarantee that the service will be immediately available to everyone. The iPhone’s satellite system, for example, is only available in the United States and Canada.
Samsung hasn’t confirmed the report, or even those on any other features of the upcoming devices. Still, if true, it would be another breakthrough tech to join what looks like an increasingly impressive list of features in Galaxy S23 devices that includes a 200MP resolution primary camera and the Snapdragon 8 Gen chipset. 2 much faster.
The S23 will be launched in early 2023
The S23 series is shaping up to be a much bigger update than the last two generations. While these have been largely incremental, the Class of 23 looks set to deliver both features and performance. The phones are expected to be announced in early 2023.


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Bayou St John Neighborhood Update
Since it’s one of our favorite New Orleans neighborhoods, we’re taking a peek into the Bayou St John neighborhood home sales over the last couple of years.
Sold Prices in Bayou St John
While the average sales price in the neighborhood has dropped by over $50,000 from last year, the median home price has risen over $25,000.
What’s the difference? Just one luxury home sale can skew the averages, while the median will always be the mid-point between low and high prices. We’ve included both for the math nerds among us, along with the highest sales for the last 2 years.
- Highest sale price 2017: $845,500
- Highest sale price 2016: $2,500,000
Demand remains fairly flat, with 32 homes sold this year (although we still have several weeks left in 2017). The time it’s taking for a property to sell has increased from an average of 47 days to 60 days.
Bayou St John Homes for Sale


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Airfreight rates rose on east-west routes to an average of $2.64 per kilogram in July 2017, an increase of 1.9 percent from the previous month and 1.5 percent from the same 2016 period, according to Drewry’s East-West Airfreight Price Index
Airfreight rates increased 1.9 percent month-over-month in July 2017, according to Drewry’s East-West Airfreight Price Index.
The average price of airfreight on east-west routes rose to an average of $2.64 per kilogram in July 2017, up from $2.59 per kilogram the previous month, according to Drewry’s East-West Air Freight Price Index.
“Drewry’s East-West Airfreight Price Index continued its upward trajectory in July, an increase of 1.9 percent month-on-month, and about 1.5 percent above the same month last year,” the firm said in its latest Sea & Air Shipper Insight publication.
In January, air cargo pricing hit a high at $2.77 per kilogram, with the highest-ever average price in November 2016 at $3.06. Aside from the last quarter of 2016, pricing has stayed under $2.80 since July 2016, Drewry said.
“In anticipation of a strong peak season, several forwarders have upped their capacity allocations out of Asia and have lined up charter capacity. Drewry expects the airfreight rates to further grow in August,” the firm said.
The Drewry index averages rates paid by airfreight forwarders on 28 major east-west lanes. Rates include the base rate, and security and fuel surcharges.


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Tesla Inc. late Wednesday reported its sixth straight quarter of earnings as well as a sales conquer, but missed Wall Street anticipations as well as dissatisfied investors who hoped for a clear cut product sales goal for the year.
Margins were one more sore point for investors, and Tesla inventory fell as much as 7 % in after-hours trading, according to stop.xyz
Tesla TSLA, -2.14 % claimed it made $270 million, or 24 cents a share, within the fourth quarter, compared with earnings of $105 million, or eleven cents a share, in the year ago quarter. Adjusted for one-time clothes, the Silicon Valley automobile developer earned 80 cents a share.
Revenue rose 46 % to $10.74 billion from $7.38 billion a season ago, thanks within portion to “substantial growth” in deliveries, the company said.
Analysts polled by FactSet expected modified earnings of $1.02 a share on sales of $10.47 billion.
“The miss was pushed by weaker-than-expected margins,” Garrett Nelson with CFRA believed. Moreover, “Tesla did not provide 2021 vehicle sales guidance, besides saying it expects full-year product sales to surpass its longer term yearly growth goal of fifty %. We think the declaration is likely to be seen negatively.”
Chief Executive Elon Musk “probably chose to be much less specific given several uncertainties,” which includes the ones that are actually pandemic related, Nelson said. Furthermore, without a certain target for the year, Tesla provides itself more flexibility as well as set itself in place for “underpromising consequently they’re able to overdeliver.”
Tesla had topped analyst forecasts every reporting day time since October 2019, when it reported a surprise third-quarter 2019 benefit from anticipations of a loss. The year 2020 marked the very first full year of profitability for the business.
The regular selling price of its cars fell eleven % year-on-year as its mix continued to shift to the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y from its luxury Model S and Model X automobiles, the company said in a letter to shareholders. A call with analysts is slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
Tesla also shied away from giving an easy sales outlook. Rather, the company said it had “simplified the way of ours to assistance for 2021” to be able to focus on long term goals.
Tesla plans to plant producing capacity “as quick as possible” and more than a “multi year horizon” expects to reach a fifty % typical annual growth in automobile deliveries, the proxy of its for sales.
“In a few years we might grow more quickly, which we plan to be the case in 2021,” it stated.
A growth right at 50 % would imply the delivery of aproximatelly 750,000 automobiles this year, that would evaluate with slightly below 500,000 cars delivered in 2020, a year marred by factory stoppages and delays as a result of the pandemic.
The FactSet surveyed analysts look for deliveries around 800,000 vehicles due to this season.
The company stated it remained on course to begin automobile production at its Texas and Germany factories this year, with in-house battery cells. It’s in addition on course to begin selling the commercial truck of its, the Semi, by way of the conclusion of the season.
Tesla shares have received almost 700 % in the previous 12 months, as opposed to profits around 17 % for the S&P 500 index SPX, -2.57 %.


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Chevy Volt News, Events
According to Limbaugh, "the electric car is about taking away choices from the American people about what they want to drive."
That was his illogical response to recent comments by Bob Lutz about the Chevy Volt. http://mediamatters.org/blog/201204170021
I expect more to come from Rush, such...


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pressmaster - stock.adobe.com
Nordic mobile wallets to merge onto single tech platform
Plans underway to merge the mobile wallets of various Nordic banks into a single public cloud-based technology platform
Nordic banks are pooling their resources to create a pan-Nordic service built on a single cloud-based IT platform.
If it gets regulatory approval, including from the European Commission, Danske Bank’s MobilePay digital wallet will merge with OP Financial Group’s Pivo in Finland and the Vipps mobile wallet offered by a Norwegian consortium of banks.
The merged business will build a common technology platform from Vipps, which is based in the public cloud and is independent from the consortium. This will enable the participating banks to develop new functionality quicker and keep up with changing demand.
The organisations will create a digital wallet serving 11 million users and over 330,000 shops and web shops. They also want to strengthen product development and innovation through joint working.
Glenn Söderholm, head of personal and business customers at Denmark’s Danske Bank, said: “MobilePay has been a fantastic success. However, it is very expensive to compete with global competitors in this space. To continue to develop the most attractive solutions for our customers, MobilePay must be part of something bigger to gain scale and pool investments for further innovation.”
He said Vipps was the natural choice for a partner. “No partnership would be better than teaming up with Norwegian Vipps – it is the perfect match for MobilePay. At the same time, it is a great strength that Pivo, owned by Finland’s largest bank, OP, will also be part of the merger.”
Final approval for the merger is expected in the second half of 2021 or early 2022. The banks behind Vipps will own 65% of the new parent company – Vipps AS – Danske Bank will own 25% and the OP Financial Group will own 10%.
The MobilePay brand will continue in its current markets and most personal users and businesses will not experience any changes, but new functionality will be available faster, according to Danske Bank.
Claus Bunkenborg, CEO of MobilePay, said: “By bringing a number of well-known brands into the ownership of a joint company, we will be strongly positioned in the market and ensure that we have the necessary scale to continue rapid growth.”
He said the merged entity was open to partnerships. “We want to convey the message to other leading banks and platforms that we are open for dialogue,” said Bunkenborg. “It is especially important for us that MobilePay’s close cooperation with the other Danish banks can continue.”
He said the potential participation of other banks would support its ambition to create a strong European player in payments.
No staff will be made redundant as a result of the merger and Kjerstin Braathen, current chairman of Vipps, will be chairman of the merged operation. Danske Bank and OP will appoint members to the board of directors corresponding to their respective ownership shares.
Read more about MobilePay
- Finnish consumers will have more chance to shop with their smartphones as Denmark’s MobilePay announces plans to expand its presence in the country.
- Banks in the Nordic region are fighting it out in the mobile payments space as they woo a digital-savvy population.
- Nordea bank joins MobilePay platform, provided by Danske Bank, to offer mobile payments to its customers in Norway and Denmark.


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DUBAI, Sept 21, (AP): Abu Dhabi, the conservative capital of the United Arab Emirates, is eliminating its licensing system for alcohol purchases for drinkers after Dubai repeatedly loosened its own rules to boost sales and tourism amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced the new rules in a circular dated last week to distributors and liquor stores, but otherwise did not publicize the decision. Government officials did not respond to requests for comment Monday from The Associated Press. The new alcohol rule also comes just after Abu Dhabi ordered hotels to offer Kosher food, a nod toward the UAE normalizing relations with Israel.
Previously, individuals had needed a license to purchase, transport or have alcohol in their homes. But the new rules appear to only set an age limit of 21 and require drinkers to consume the beverages inside private homes or other licensed areas like bars.
That would allow Muslims who had been barred from obtaining licenses to be able to purchase from retailers. “We would like to announce the cancellation of alcohol licenses for individuals,” the circular said. “Residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops, and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs and independent outlets.”


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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reportedly planning to announce a regulatory framework for products like CBD derived from legal hemp in the coming months amid concerns about product quality and safety.
CBD products have exploded in the years since the enactment of the 2018 Agriculture Act that legalized industrial hemp – a variety of the cannabis plant that lacks the intoxicating properties of versions grown for consumption as medical or recreational marijuana. That opened the door to the sale of CBD products ranging from drinks and edible gummies to creams and lotions containing no more than 0.3% THC. 21 states.
When asked for comment about the upcoming regulatory plan, an FDA spokesperson gave Fox Business a statement from FDA Chief Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, who is responsible for the agency’s effort to regulate cannabis, who also said: the Wall Street Journal: “Given what we know so far about the safety of CBD, it raises concerns for the FDA about whether these existing regulatory pathways for food and dietary supplements are appropriate for this substance. FDA is currently reviewing three Citizen petitions related to this, and we plan to respond to it quickly.”
CBD products are often touted to relieve pain, reduce anxiety and promote sleep, but currently cannot be branded as dietary supplements or added to foods under FDA rules, and the agency has warning letters issued to various companies about claims they have made regarding their CBD products.
The FDA is investigating the effects of CBD in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and those findings will inform its regulatory recommendations for those products. A study by NIH found that a pharmaceutical-grade CBD product known as Epidiolex helped reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy over the age of 2, but it also caused diarrhea, fatigue, and elevated liver enzymes in some children.
Once the FDA is ready to move forward with regulatory recommendations, it will have to decide whether CBD products can be regulated as food or nutritional supplements instead of drugs, or whether the agency needs to develop a new framework or Congress needs to call for a law to be passed on this.
Because cannabis plants contain dozens of cannabinoid chemicals, including THC and CBD, among others, new cannabis products that emphasize newly discovered cannabinoids pose a challenge to regulators.
For example, the most common form of THC is known as Delta-9, which has intoxicating properties and is illegal at the federal level. But Delta-8 THC can be derived from industrial hemp and falls into a legal gray area where it can be legally produced and marketed despite intoxicating properties like its sister cannabinoid.
Norman Birenbaum, a senior adviser to the FDA who previously worked on cannabis regulation in New York and Rhode Island, told the Wall Street Journal that the agency has “growing and mounting near-term concerns” about these Delta-8 products after a child in Virginia died after eating Delta-8 gummies, while several other teens and children fell ill in Texas and Iowa.
The lack of a federal regulatory framework has led to consumer safety concerns and quality assurance deficiencies that could lead to THC being included in some CBD products intended to exclude it. It has also sidelined a number of companies that eventually plan to enter this emerging market due to legal concerns. Despite that hesitation, a 2021 FDA report found the CBD market was valued at $4.6 billion last year alone and predicted it would quadruple by 2026.
As the FDA’s regulatory process unfolds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s regulations for hemp production illustrate the challenges of refining regulations around the production and processing of cannabis products.
A report from the Congressional Research Service found that hemp production in 2021 was estimated at $824 million, spanning about 13,000 grower licenses nationwide, and that a dozen states had harvested more than 1,000 acres of hemp by 2021 — led by Montana with 4,500 acres and Colorado with 3,100 acres. But the CRS report noted that about 20% of the hemp grown in any given year will exceed the legal limit of no more than 0.3% THC, highlighting the “inherent risks to farmers of hemp cultivation within the regulatory framework.” of USDA” demonstrates.


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On the sidelines of the 77th. General Assembly of the United Nations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Hill, held a bilateral meeting with her Brazilian counterpart, Carlos Alberto Franco.
The Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), highlighted in a report that the most exported products, which are part of the top 10 from January to august 2022, are: maquila, plastic, food and agricultural inputs.
The Presidential Commissioner for Strategic Projects, Cristian Flores, informed on his Twitter account that El Salvador continues to make efforts to attract more companies to invest in the aeronautical sector in the country.
The rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P), confirmed the long-term international risk rating of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) at "AA"; with a stable outlook.
Every september, the Ministry of Finance must present the draft of the General Budget of the Nation for next year.
SISTEMA FEDECRÉDITO presents the new VISA Business Credit Card, with which it offers a perfect ally for salvadoran entrepreneurs seeking to meet the financial needs of their businesses.
The SISTEMA FEDECRÉDITO returns with the new season of the GANA FÁCIL promotion, with more than US $300,000 in prizes for 710 winners in 3 big drawings: November 4, december 2, 2022 and january 6, 2023, in which the following incredible prizes will be raffled: 10 Volkswagen pick up model SAVEIRO, 65 Yamaha motorcycles, 90 cash prizes of US $500.00, 100 cash prizes of US $250.00, 180 cash prizes of US $250.00, 100 cash prizes of US $250.00, 180 cash prizes of US $300,000.00 and US $300,000.00. 00, 100 cash prizes of US $250.00, 180 cash prizes of US $200.00 and 265 cash prizes of US $100.00.
Consumers more cautious about the economic environment but optimistic, according to EY's Consumer of the Future IndexWritten by Paty Salinas
Inflation, supply chain disruptions, sustainability concerns and the geopolitical environment are challenging the daily lives of consumers globally. These developments have changed the way people shop, the products or services they purchase and how they consume, according to data from the EY Future Consumer Index study, prepared by EY, a leading professional services firm in consulting, audit, tax and strategy and transactions.
The minister of Finance, Alejandro Zelaya, said this morning in a morning interview that El Salvador's primary balance has improved showing a positive result.


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A more robust edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is in the works, ahead of the standard model’s debut on UK networks this weekend.
In an interview with techview.me, president of Samsung's Gulf division Young Soo Kim revealed that the phone-maker is working on a variant that’s waterproof and dustproof and is set to be revealed to the world in the next few weeks.
The hitherto unheard-of rugged S4 iteration appears calculated to encroach on the 'robust-high-end-handset' territory currently staked out by the water-resistant Sony Xperia Z.
In keeping with Sony’s current flagship phone, we also expect Samsung's effort to carry an IP55 & IP57 rating, which means you can submerge your handset for up to 30 minutes without affecting it.
After a wait that feels so long that empires could have risen and fallen, the Galaxy S4 finally goes on sale on Saturday (April 27th) with a feature set that takes in a a five-inch, full HD Super AMOLED display, a 1.9GHz quad-core processor and a 13-megapixel camera.
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