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Yesterday, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on GM to invest in Ohio workers. Last week, GM announced it would produce the Chevrolet Blazer in Mexico, even as the second shift ended at the Lordstown facility. Brown called on GM to move production of the Blazer back to the United States, and reinvest in American workers.
Brown’s remarks can be found below:
Last Friday was a dark day for the American auto industry and American workers.
On the very same day GM laid off the entire second shift at the historic Lordstown plant in the Mahoning Valley, we got word that GM plans to build its new Chevy Blazer in Mexico – that’s right, the company is bypassing American workers and sending more jobs to Mexico.
All this comes on the heels of the windfall GM got from the tax bill Congress passed last year. GM can now bring nearly $7 billion in overseas cash back to the U.S. at a dramatically lower tax rate, and they can immediately deduct the cost of any new investments in plants and equipment.
They could be using that extra cash to invest in Lordstown and build more cars in America. But what are they doing?
They’re laying off 1,500 Ohio workers. Think about that: 1,500 workers. 1,500 families affected.
And that’s just a year after they laid off the third shift – more than 1,000 workers – at the same plant.
They’ve got some nerve.
The workers at this plant are among the best in the world. The car they make – the Chevy Cruze – beat out the foreign competition in its class last year.
For the 2018 models, J.D. Power and Associates named the Cruze among the top two cars in its class, and they named the Lordstown plant among the top 6 plants in the Americas.
Anyone who’s been to Lordstown wouldn’t be surprised.
Ten years ago, I stood on this floor as we voted to save the American auto industry.
Two years later, I stood in Lordstown and watched the first Chevy Cruzes roll off the assembly line. I even drove one of the cars.
Two years ago, I stood in Lordstown for the plant’s 50th anniversary. I saw the pride the community takes in that plant.
GM itself estimated more than 10,000 people – young and old, families with their children, vintage car buffs, former workers – turned out to watch the parade and celebrate the plant.
The line to get into the plant for a tour stretched down the street and around the block.
That is what this plant and the auto industry mean to the communities they serve.
That’s why we worked so hard to save this industry, including GM, after the economic crisis. In addition to the federal auto rescue, the state of Ohio gave GM more than $80 million in tax incentives for the Cruze plant.
But now, after Ohio gave millions to this company, GM is turning its back on Ohio – all while making record profits and reaping the rewards of the tax bill.
As a country, as a state, we are invested in this industry – GM needs to invest in America and in Ohio. They need to invest in the workers and the communities that built this company and made it great.
Instead of making plans to invest in Mexico, GM should be working with us to invest in American workers.
We’ve invested in GM. It’s time for GM to invest in Ohio workers.
Other users read these articles next...


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|By PR Newswire||
|January 7, 2013 05:25 PM EST||
Depth of innovation demonstrated by the company's UHD TV with a large screen size, NX300 Camera and 45mm 2D/3D lens, T-9000 LCD refrigerator and Series 7 Chronos PC
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today unveiled new products and services that define its vision for the consumer electronics industry, where technology enables consumers to discover the world of possibilities.
Presenting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013 in Las Vegas, Samsung revealed its goal of creating new experiences for all, through its deep understanding of consumers' lives and its relentless pursuit of discovery.
"From motion and voice control in TVs, to 10-point multi-touch screens on tablets and smartphones, we have created new, more human ways for people and devices to interact," said James Politeski, President, Samsung Canada. "This year, our goal is to help people pursue their passions even further. We aim to delight them, bringing not just what they expect, but what they'd never dreamed was possible."
Delivering on this promise, Samsung unveiled a new paradigm in television, smart appliances, connected cameras and mobile devices. Sharing innovations from different areas of its business, Samsung has reinvigorated the consumer electronics market with seamless navigation, intuitive control and personalized user experiences.
Understanding that consumers want TVs that can stay current with the latest features, Samsung also announced its 2013 Evolution Kit, an innovative way of having the latest Smart TV offerings without having to buy a whole new set.
Creating the Ultimate Viewing Experience
Samsung opened a new world of possibilities in home entertainment this year, introducing a full line up of larger screen TVs, including its first 85-inch Ultra High Definition TV (UHD TV) and its flagship Smart TV, the F8000 LED TV. Building on its already extensive content offering and Smart TV platform leadership, Samsung also introduced the most personalized TV viewing experience ever created with Voice Interaction technologies.
For the first time at CES, Samsung unveiled its new UHD TV with a large screen size. Blending technology and craftsmanship to create a 'Timeless Gallery Design,' Samsung's UHD TV offers four times the pixels available on existing 1080p resolution, to deliver greater detail, unmatched clarity and an immersive, vivid picture quality. It also provides an audio experience to match its screen excellence; 120-watt array speakers are seamlessly built into the frame of the television.
Offering a whole new world of viewing experience, using content available today, the UHD TV features an up-scaling algorithm that is capable of up-converting HD and Full HD content to UHD resolution.
Samsung also introduced its new flagship F8000 LED TV, the first Samsung television to feature a quad-core processor. Available in sizes up to 75-inches, the F8000 features an ultra-thin profile, a quarter-inch thick bezel and a half-moon shaped Arc stand.
Samsung is the first TV brand to offer support for the new high compression video codec, HEVC, which delivers double the video quality over the same bandwidth.
Introducing the next Evolution in Televisions
Each of Samsung's newest televisions provides a whole new world of possibilities in search, navigation and control. Samsung's Voice Interaction technology is a personal guide to discovering new and preferred content on Samsung Smart TVs.
Samsung's improved Voice Interaction technology will change what people think is possible from a television; it is now capable of understanding full sentences and natural language. Viewers can ask the Smart TV for movie and TV shows or request films that feature specific actors or actresses.
This advanced user experience has been expanded to smartphones and tablets, thanks to Samsung's leadership in connectivity. Viewers can search and schedule content on a tablet, view content remotely or mirror the Smart TV on a tablet to take the content with them around the home.
Samsung's new Smart Hub intelligently organizes a viewer's content into clear, intuitive menu pages. Drawing on Samsung's mobile leadership, the navigation experience is reminiscent of that found on its smartphones. The five pages include: On TV; Movies & TV Shows; Photos, Videos & Music; Social; Apps.
Additionally, Samsung delivered on its 2012 CES promise of bringing the next evolution of TVs with the introduction of its 2013 Evolution Kit. By simply adding the Evolution Kit to a Samsung Smart TV, users can have access to the latest Samsung Smart TV offerings. Owners of compatible TVs will be able to benefit from S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction, the new Smart Hub, as well as the quad core support of the 2013 range.
Creating Smarter, Connected Homes
Samsung's latest home appliance products deliver unrivalled convenience, ease of use and organization for consumers. The new Samsung T9000 LCD Refrigerator allows users to adjust the freezer and fridge space based on need, while the new Samsung Top Loader Washing Machine, WA50F, provides an extremely large capacity in its category.
This year, Samsung has redefined the French door refrigerator category, making kitchens smarter and more convenient, as well as offering clever ways to keep organized. With a 32 cu. ft. capacity, the Samsung T9000 LCD Refrigerator offers large storage space for consumers. Providing greater flexibility and convenience for users, the lower compartment can also be transformed from refrigerator to freezer and back again as desired.
Samsung's new Top Loader Washing Machine offers a large capacity; at 5.0 cubic feet it's possible to wash more in a single load than ever before. Featuring an upgraded AquaJet™ cleaning technology, the machine delivers improved washing performances, thanks to its powerful pump and strong water jets that provide a more thorough wash and rinse. Its washing efficiency is matched by its premium design: an ice-blue LED makes the cleaning options clear and understandable while a simple user-interface makes it incredibly easy to control.
To give consumers a new dimension of flexibility in the kitchen, Samsung introduced a new innovative range and oven. With a spacious 5.9 cu. ft. oven capacity, Samsung's NE597N0PBSR Induction Range with Flex CookZone™ has a large cooking area and is suitable for any pan configuration. It also features "Boil Alert," which detects vibration and automatically reduces heat to a preset level to prevent pots and pans from boiling over. Additionally, Samsung's ME179KFETSR Over-The-Range Speed Oven is everything needed in one powerful appliance: convection oven for even cooking, as well as a toaster, broiler, microwave and range hood all in one. It also offers a one-touch Simple Clean Filter - the first of its kind. Both products have been awarded CES innovation awards.
Capturing Images for Every Moment
Samsung is staying true to its SMART CAMERA vision, delivering the latest and greatest camera technology and driving change in the digital imaging landscape. As the newest addition to its NX-range, the NX300 blends exceptional image quality and capture capabilities with increased speed and shot control.
The NX300 is complemented by the Samsung's NX 45mm F1.8 2D/3D lens, the first one-lens 3D system for a consumer camera, capable of capturing both still pictures and full 1080p HD video. This new lens opens up an exciting world of 3D imaging possibilities and makes the Samsung NX Series the only interchangeable lens camera supporting both 3D still and 3D movie.
Central to the NX300's outstanding imaging performance is its new 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, capable of capturing high quality images for every user. A newly designed Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) system delivers fast, accurate phase and contrast detection, while the 1/6000 second shutter speed and 8.6fps continuous shooting mode ensures every moment is captured perfectly. Also, Samsung's unique DRIMe IV imaging engine provides outstanding developments in speed and quality photography and enables better color reproduction and greater noise reduction. Support for full 1080p HD video capture in both 2D and 3D—when combined with Samsung's new 45mm F1.8 2D/3D lens—is also available through the DRIMe IV engine capabilities.
For a seamless photography experience, the NX300's 84mm (3.31 inch) AMOLED screen comes complete with a tilt display allowing cherished memories to be captured from any angle, high and low, while making it effortless to review images. Completing the intuitive feel for the NX300 camera, the distinct AMOLED screen is hybrid with touch screen capabilities and 5-way manual key interface.
In addition to the SMART CAMERA capabilities of the NX300, Samsung also today announced the launch of a new line of connected compact cameras: the WB250F/WB200F, the WB800F, WB30F, DV150F and ST150F. As new additions to the WB series of long-zoom models, DV series of Dual View cameras and ST series of Style Feature cameras, the new devices combine high optical performance and classic style with the enhanced connectivity of SMART CAMERA.
Combining Design, Performance for Hands-on Computing
Samsung's PC line-up for CES consists of two new devices that combine powerful performance with design excellence. The powerful new Series 7 Chronos and the portable Series 7 Ultra Notebook are equipped to handle both work and entertainment applications.
The new Series 7 Chronos delivers a professional performance in a thinner and lighter form factor, with a quad-core performance, as well as a new software solution called RAMaccelerator, which provides up to a 150 percent increase in speed for browsing and running apps, to act as a true desktop replacement. Its 15.6-inch Full HD display with 10-point touch screen meets both work and entertainment demands. Matching power with style, the Samsung Series 7 Chronos is just 20.9 millimeters thick; and with a back-lit keyboard and 11-hour battery life it lets users work on-the-go, longer.
The Samsung Series 7 Ultra embodies superior mobility and performance in an ultra-slim and light, full aluminum body. Combining an eight hour battery life, a beautiful 13.3-inch Full HD display with a 10-point touch screen, aluminum frame, a i5 CPU for fast-processing and up to 256GB SSD of storage, this PC provides the computing power required by even the most demanding users; and like the Series 7 Chronos, it will run on Windows 8.
Samsung TecTiles™ Take Over Las Vegas
Samsung is also helping people explore a world of possibilities while in Las Vegas. The company has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to install more than 4,500 interactive Samsung TecTiles™ (NFC tags) throughout eight of its world-renowned hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. These TecTiles™ are designed to provide consumers with a virtual concierge service, offering shortcuts to gaming stats and playing tips, restaurant hours and reservations, show times and video clips, and shopping hours and discounts.
For more information about Samsung TecTiles™, go to www.samsung.com/us/tectiles.
Empowering the B2B Market
Samsung also announced the results of its joint study with research leaders IDG regarding the attitudes of IT executives and consumers toward 'bring-your-own-device (BYOD)' to work policies. The results revealed that an overwhelming majority of IT executives believe that BYOD programs will become standard in business within the next two years, and consumers expect the mobile device to be the primary computing device for work within five years.
Understanding that the success of such BYOD programs depends on whether hardware and software providers can address the security concerns of IT executives, Samsung has launched its Samsung For Enterprise (SaFE) program, which is comprised of security standards that will help companies to find mobile devices that are safe to use. SaFE devices provide immediate business benefits such as advanced data features and device-based verification.
SaFE is Samsung's commitment to the B2B market. It's a comprehensive suite of security standards, apps, on-device encryption, VPNs and mobile device management solutions. With the development of SaFE, Samsung is simplifying mobile device administration and removing concerns about the fragmentation of the Android platform.
Consumers are invited to follow the Samsung Canada adventure at CES via video, photos and social updates at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or via the Canadian microsite at Samsung.com/ces2013. Canadian design expert Janette Ewen @Janette_Ewen) will host a video series showcasing the best in design and lifestyle news from behind-the-scenes on the show floor.
About Samsung Electronics Canada
Samsung Electronics Canada enables Canadians to "Pursue their Passions" by offering a broad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, IT, telecommunications and home appliance products for consumers and businesses. The Canadian arm upholds Samsung's global mission to provide users premium experiences that are unparalleled due to Samsung's innovative technology and stylish design. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the electronics industry both in terms of business leadership and brand strength. In 2012, Samsung was ranked #9 in the Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" breaking the top ten for the first time, and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011".
Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada.
SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada
Image with caption: "Samsung introduced its new flagship F8000 LED TV, the first Samsung television to feature a quad-core processor at CES 2013. Available in sizes up to 75-inches, the F8000 features an ultra-thin profile, a quarter-inch thick bezel and a half-moon shaped Arc stand. (CNW Group/Samsung Electronics Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130107_C4387_PHOTO_EN_22319.jpg
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Akron police are investigating three aggravated robberies on Sunday, all committed by suspects with a handgun.
At about 4:15 p.m., a 20-year-old woman was confronted near Edison Avenue and Lake Street in the city’s Summit Lake neighborhood while leaving a nearby store where she bought gifts for her children.
The woman was approached by four suspects in a green, four-door Pontiac Grand Am, according to police reports.
A passenger in the car rolled down the window, showed her a handgun and demanded all the woman’s property.
The woman handed over a Minnie Mouse backpack, a PAW Patrol backpack, two cellphones and a toy.
The suspects fled in the Grand Am. The victim was not injured.
In Kenmore, officers responded to a call about a robbery in progress about 9:35 p.m. at a Family Dollar store on Kenmore Boulevard.
An employee of the store met police and told them a man with a firearm entered the store demanding money from the cash register.
The employee refused, and the suspect fled on foot.
In Middlebury, police said a man and a woman robbed a CVS pharmacy on East Market Street.
Officers were met at the scene about 10:55 p.m. by employees who said the man and woman entered the store, loaded up a shopping cart full of merchandise and left without paying.
An employee followed the suspects outside and the man flashed a handgun, telling the employee to go inside.
The man and woman fled in an older model silver Nissan with body wash and miscellaneous items from the store.
Alan Ashworth can be reached at 330-996-3859 or emailed at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconjournal.


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The Organisation for Responsible Business, ORB, is absolutely delighted to receive the Corporate LiveWire national award for Excellence and Innovation as it bears testament to our commitment, hard work, and achievements since we launched in 2010.
As I am sure ASP members will understand that the early years were extremely challenging. When talking with small business owners then, we could see the proverbial glazed look and a response ‘we recycle!’
But while we still have much to do, we are excited by the changes we are now witnessing.
We are excited by the number of people, especially millennials, walking away from lucrative corporate careers and starting their own businesses to ‘feed their souls.’
We are excited by the number of small businesses that have the courage to nail their colours to the mast and shout loud and clear that they will only work with responsible, values-based businesses.
We launched with a mission to change the world, one small business at a time. We shall continue to drive that mission forward because we passionately believe that small businesses are leading the movement for a better way of doing business.
It is small businesses that have the greatest potential to realise the positive societal impacts we so desperately need.
We do hope more ASP members that are micro and small businesses or that work with them will apply for membership of ORB and help us continue to drive the movement for a better way of doing business.


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A line through the bill of Facebook’s business model.
The social media company accuses the iPhone maker of abuse of power. Apple defended its policy in a letter to a series of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International.
In it, Apple accuses Mark Zuckerberg’s company that it does not respect the privacy rights of its users.
Facebook accuses Apple of abusing its position by collecting data itself and making it inaccessible to the competition.


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Town Life, a utility vehicle business unit owned by the Lamborghini family, introduced its new electric motorcycle model Iso Moto Ferruccio Lamborghini in Korea on Tuesday.
Town Life and its co-developer Green Power Circuit Corporation Korea will begin commercial sales of the electric motorcycle in Korea within this year, Town Life Chairman Ferruccio Lamborghini said during the press conference.
|Town Life Chairman Ferruccio Lamborghini (right) introduces Town Life's new electric motorcycle Tuesday at a press conference held in Seoul Tuesday. (GPCC Korea)|
Town Life is also to launch the model in China, Taiwan and European countries, it said.
Town Life aims to sell 2,500 units of the motorcycle model worldwide this year. The sales target in the next year is to reach some 24,000 units, the company added.
Another version of the bike will run on gasoline.
The price of the vehicle is estimated to be between $4,000 and $5,000.
Meanwhile, Town Life also plans to launch a small vehicle in September 2019. The price of the vehicle is expected to be about $17,000, the company said.
By Shim Woo-hyun (firstname.lastname@example.org)


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Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Tsuneji Uchida, president of Canon Inc predicted the shrinking of the digital camera market in 2009. In an interview to Reuters, Uchida admitted that the global economic recession had harmed sales of DSLRs.
'We hope we will see the same level of demand next year as this year,' Uchida said in an interview conducted on Friday and embargoed from publication until Tuesday. 'Whether or not that will become reality is up to economic conditions.'*


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Small business owners still have lingering concerns about their future financial situation, according to a July Wells Fargo/Gallup small business survey.
The number of business owners expecting to be in a good financial position during the next 12 months declined 7 percentage points to 59 percent; those expecting increased revenues in the next 12 months declined by 6 percentage points to 43 percent.
Despite the decline in the index score this quarter, business owner optimism has improved significantly from the recession low point when the index dipped to -28 in the third quarter of 2010.
This quarter’s survey also included questions to gauge business owner attitudes about capital spending.
Fifty-three percent of business owners say they have made capital investments during the past 12 months, with the majority — 70 percent — purchasing new equipment or machinery. A smaller percentage of business owners – 41 percent – say they plan to make capital investments in the next 12 months. The number one reason cited for not making an investment was concern about the overall state of the economy.
“Business owners have a lot of unknowns in front of them today,” said Doug Case, Wells Fargo small business segment manager. “This is the first drop in the index this year and it seems to correlate to the lower percentage of business owners planning to invest in their companies in the year ahead.”
In the survey, businesses said they’ll be more likely to invest in their businesses when they see improvements in their operating environment, better sales and revenue, Case said.
Small business owners planning to make capital investments during the next 12 months say they intend to make them in new equipment/machinery and technology, such as computers, new software or websites and mobile devices. This reflects the growing importance of having up-to-date technology to conduct business, Case said.
Lower expectations for increased revenues in the next 12 months may be problematic for small business owners who plan to fund capital expenditures primarily with business revenue and profits rather than relying on credit or savings, the Wells Fargo report said.
Business owners who said they plan to make a capital investment during the next 12 months say they are planning to pay for it using business revenue, credit, savings or investors.


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Why Jony Ive Left Apple
It’s been a tough few years for Apple. The company has been through a lot of changes, and many of them have been controversial. One of the most talked-about changes was the departure of Jony Ive, the man who designed the iPhone and many other apple products
Ive was the head of Apple’s design team for many years, and his departure was a big blow to the company. Many people were wondering
Checkout this video:
Jony Ive’s Contributions to Apple
Industrial designer Jony Ive is leaving Apple after 27 years at the company. Ive was a close collaborator steve jobs and his designs helped make Apple one of the most successful companies in the world. Here’s a look at some of Ive’s most iconic designs.
The design of the iMac
Jony Ive was the designer responsible for the iMac, which was released in 1998. The iMac was a major turning point for Apple, as it signaled the company’s return to profitability after a period of financial difficulty. The design of the iMac was widely praised, and it helped cement Apple’s reputation as a design-focused company.
Ive continued to lead Apple’s design team until 2012, when he was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Design. In this role, he oversaw the design of apple products including the iPhone and iPad. Ive dramaticall transformed Apple’s product lineup during his time as head designer, and his products have been widely lauded for their elegant and minimalist designs.
In 2019, it was announced that Ive would be leaving Apple start his own design firm. While he will no longer be working directly for Apple, he will continue to work with the company on a number of projects, including the development of its new campus in Cupertino.
The design of the iPod
Jony Ive was the design lead for the iPod and was responsible for its signature white color scheme and click wheel interface. The iPod was released in 2001 and quickly became a massive success, selling over 122 million units in its first four years. Ive’s work on the iPod cemented his reputation as one of the world’s leading industrial designers.
In 2003, Jony Ive was awarded the prestigious Designer of the Year award by London’s Design Museum. He became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2012, and he was named chief design officer of Apple in 2015.
The design of the iPhone
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, one of his first decisions was to reorient the company around consumer electronics. At the time, Apple was struggling find its footing after years of declining sales and squandered opportunities. One of Jobs’s turning points came when he visited the design studio of Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple’s head of design.
Ive showed Jobs a series of prototypes that he and his team had been working on, including a stripped-down phone with a large touchscreen. This was the beginning of the iPhone as we know it today. Ive’s team would go on to design the first three generations of the iPhone, as well as the iPad and iMac.
Ive’s departure from Apple is a significant loss for the company. He was not only responsible for some of Apple’s most iconic products, but he was also a close confidant of Jobs. Ive’s departure is a reminder that no company is immune to the vicissitudes of talent retention.
Jony Ive’s departure from Apple
On Thursday, Apple announced that its chief design officer Jony Ive will leave the company later this year to start his own independent design firm. Ive has been with Apple for nearly 30 years and is responsible for the design of many of the company’s most iconic products, including the iPhone, the iPod, and the iMac. Here’s everything you need to know about Ive’s departure from Apple.
The reasons behind his departure
There are many reasons why Jony Ive may have decided to leave Apple. Some say that he was frustrated with the direction that the company was going in and felt that his design concepts were no longer being used. Others believe that he was simply ready for a new challenge.
Whatever the reasons behind his departure, there is no doubt that Jony Ive was a major force at Apple for many years. He was the man behind some of the company’s most iconic products, including the iPod, iPhone and iPad. He also oversaw the design of apple watch and many of the company’s retail stores.
Jony Ive’s departure is a big loss for Apple, but the company will no doubt continue to thrive without him. It will be interesting to see what he does next and how his new venture will compare to his work at Apple.
What this means for Apple
The departure of Jony Ive from Apple is a big deal. Ive was the man behind the design of the iPhone, the iPad, the iMac, and many other iconic products from the company. He was also the man who oversaw the design of Apple Park, the company’s new headquarters in Cupertino.
So, what does this mean for Apple? Well, it’s hard to say. Ive was a key figure at the company, and his departure will no doubt have an impact. But it’s important to remember that Apple is much more than one person. The company has a deep bench of talent, and it will no doubt continue to produce great products without Ive.
That said, Ive’s departure is a loss for Apple. He was a true visionary, and his impact on the company cannot be overstated. Apple will be different without him, but it will still be able to thrive.


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SUV, you want it, here it is! The riders will continue to multiply in the ranges of manufacturers. After selling the small Q2, fourth member of his family Q, Audi will launch next year the grand Q8, already announced by two concepts including the Q8 Sport at the Geneva Motor Show. Then in 2019, the firm with the rings will propose the Q4.
Rupert Stadler, who heads the brand, has just confirmed the project when presenting the financial results for 2016. Qualified as a compact sports SUV, the Q4 should be the standard version of the TT offroad concept unveiled in China in 2014. The model will resume The aesthetic gimmicks of the coupe, such as the lateral glazing in an arc of circle or the hood bitten by the wheel arches.
Audi plans to launch three electric cars by 2020 and electrify models of the current range. On the technology front, the Audi A8 is expected to benefit from a level 3 semi-autonomous driving system. The car will be able to drive alone in traffic jams up to 60 km / h.
Inside, the model will feature a full HD display of latest generation and an interface that will accept gestures commands. In the range of engines, new generations of gasoline and diesel engines will be adopted with a cylinder capacity of 1.5 liters. There will also be 4-cylinder 2-liter and a new 5-cylinder 2.5-liter that will produce at least 400 hp for the RS version of this Q4. Finally, not to renounce its new commitments, Audi will also sell a rechargeable hybrid that will offer an electric autonomy of about 50 km as required by legislation in China.


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By Joe Paonessa Sep 22, 2016
TPO Mobile has announced an iPhone 7 giveaway and there is no purchase necessary in order to have an opportunity to win. The giveaway is currently running and will end on Monday, October 31st, 2016 at 5:00 PM EST.
TPO Mobile wants to rename its recently announced "People's Plan." The plan features unlimited talk, text and 1 GB of 4G LTE data. The company is seeking your help in renaming the plan.
To enter the contest you must follow TPO Mobile's Facebook page and tell @TPOus what you think the name of their new plan should be using the hashtag #TPONewPlan.
One winner from those who followed the above requirement will be chosen by the TPO Marketing team and awarded a 32 GB iPhone 7 Plus valued at $769.
The winner will be notified by TPO via Facebook on Tuesday, November 1st 2016 through the Facebook handle that entered the contest.
The winner will be required within 5 days of being announced as the winner to provide TPO (or a third party used to manage the contest) with the following:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Social media account name
- Residential Address
If the prize is not claimed within 5 days another entrant will be announced as the winner. After claiming the prize, the winner can expect to receive the iPhone 7 Plus withing 20 working days.
Entrants must be age 18 or older. The winner agrees to allow TPO to use their name and general location for publicity purposes. The winner must also share at least one Tweet and Facebook post with an image of the iPhone 7 Plus. If you don't have both social media accounts you may share the social media requirement with the email address [email protected]
In addition to the contest, TPO Mobile continues to offer 50% off of one month of service for new subscribers.
Joe is the founder of BestMVNO.com. He started BestMVNO in 2013, because like many of you, he was unhappy with the high price he was paying his wireless provider for cell phone service. After researching how to cut costs on his phone bill, he came across the terms 'MVNO' and 'prepaid wireless', and learned there was a way he could keep using his favorite network without having to pay a premium price for it. Since then, through BestMVNO.com, Joe has been sharing his research about MVNOs and prepaid wireless so that others can learn how to save money on their own phone bills. Joe's current provider is T-Mobile Prepaid. For inquiries Contact JP


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EAGLE, Idaho, June 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new bill (S.1200) known as The Fairness to Pet Owners Act, plans to make filling and purchasing pet prescriptions convenient and more affordable for pet owners.
The Fairness to Pet Owners Act would require veterinarians to provide a copy of the prescription, just as doctors do for human prescriptions. The pet owner can then decide whether to have the prescription filled with the vet or at a pharmacy of their choice. According to Veterinary News, the sponsors describe it as a "bill to promote competition and help consumers save money by giving them the freedom to choose where they buy prescription pet medications, and for other purposes."
If passed, pet owners would automatically receive a copy of their pet's prescriptions without having to ask, pay a prescription release fee, or sign a waiver. Receiving pet's prescriptions will improve convenience for pet owners by giving them more shopping options, thus allowing pharmacies and vets to compete by lowering prices.
Today, thousands of local pharmacies carry dozens of pet prescription medications, both branded and generic. Consumer Reports states, "Vets' markups over wholesale start at 100 percent and frequently hit 160 percent. And for some medicines the markups are even higher." Consumer Reports ultimately advises pet owners, "Where is the best place to get medication for my pet? Not from your vet. They sharply mark up their drug prices, and tack on a $5 to $15 dispensing fee, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. For many pet meds, a better bet is your local pharmacy."
Most consumers are unaware that they can purchase pet prescriptions outside of their vet clinic. In May of 2015 the Federal Trade Commission released a report on the market place for pet medications. The report states: "FTC staff believes that currently there are constraints on prescription portability and that these constraints likely are limiting competition between veterinarians and retailers in the sale of pet medications, which may result in harm to customers." The report continues, "FTC staff concludes that competition in the pet medication market likely would be enhanced by, and consumers of pet medications likely would benefit from, greater prescription portability."
The Fairness to Pet Owners Act puts the control back in the hands of the consumer giving them the option to fill their pet's prescription where they desire, at a lower cost. APAW, supports this bi-partisan bill sponsored by Senators Blumenthal (D), Lee (R), and Schumer (D).
To show your support for The Fairness to Pet Owners Act, visit http://www.apaw.org/take-action/.
The Advocacy for Pets and Affordable Wellness (APAW) is a national coalition of pet owners and advocates dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of America's pets and empowering pet owners everywhere to demand affordable, quality health care and medicine for their animals.
For more information, please visit: www.apaw.org. True Science supports organizations like APAW that champion affordable access to pet care.
CONTACT: Amy Gregory True Science 208-939-8900 ext 333Source: APAW


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'Twas not a good week to be the owner of a shiny new Porsche GT3....
Frost & Sullivan automotive and transportation team leader Prana Tharthiharan believes that Detroit OEMs are in trouble if Apple acquires Te...
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PFC Brakes develops and manufactures braking systems for motorsport, high-performance road, commercial vehicle and motorcycles. Matthew Beecham spoke to Peter Babbage, managing director at PFC Brakes Europe to discover how upcoming materials legislation is affecting the design of brake components for the commercial vehicle sector and how it is responding to ensure OEM and aftermarket customers can comply with the forthcoming legislation outlawing certain materials and how the technology could lead to lower running costs.
Prodrive's Brand& helps develop some of the potential in a vehicle manufacturer’s brand and distribution by creating carefully-positioned non-automotive ranges (mainly clothing and lifestyle accessories) and the retailing support that make them successful. To find out more, Matthew Beecham talked with Carl Ball, managing director of Brand& about its expertise and how social media is changing the ways in which dealers and OEMs should engage with their customers and potential customers, making cross-channel communications more cost-effective as long as it is cunningly implemented.
Winter maintained its grip on the US in February and, as happened in January, car buyers stayed home.
Porsche's supervisory board has extended the appointment of executive board member responsible for strategy and corporate development, Matthias Müller (60), for a further five years from 1 January 2015. His role of CEO was also extended by five years.
For the first time since its foundation in 1956, the national automakers association Anfavea will co-exist with a similar body.
Volkswagen group operating profit rose EUR0.2bn to a record EUR11.7bn on sales up 2.2% to EUR197.0bn in 2013.
Scania says it has appointed a committee to evaluate Volkswagen's EUR6.7bn (US$9.2bn) to acquire the rest of the truckmaker..
It had to happen. Just under a month to go before its international debut at the LA auto show and someone has captured a now only lightly disguised Macan on film.
This year's Silverstone Classic sounds like it's going to be an essential for any petrolhead here in England.
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iPhone and iOS news
The iPhone numbers in South Korea top the preorders seen for Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 over a similar period, says the Wall Street Journal.
This handy feature instantly gives any iOS contact a working map of your whereabouts.
A video posted by blog site TechSmartt shows how to "trick" Apple Pay into working on NFC terminals outside the US.
The new Places feature for Path Talk adds new life to this underused chat client.
This app has the look and feel of a modern messaging client, but offers a standout feature you have to try.
Revenue growth dipped last quarter from a year ago partly because the Chinese government delayed approving the iPhone 6, but Apple inventory decisions played a role as well.
In a newly published patent filing, Apple describes how to start your car, adjust the temperature, automatically open the hood and perform other tricks via your iPhone.
Only around half of the 250 million iPhone 4S units and older models may be upgraded in the near term, leaving plenty of room for fiscal 2015 and 2016, says Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.
This handy app gives you a battery gauge, network monitor, calculator and more, all just a swipe away.
Some retailers have shied away from Apple's mobile payments service, and the equipment needed by supported industry players won't pop up overnight.
Sales of iPhones may grow as high as 45 percent in the current quarter from a year ago, says Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.


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Seattle Mariners Beer Vendor Kevin Zelko Taking Orders on Twitter
Yes, this story is absolutely true and not a joke — Seattle Mariners beer vendor Kevin Zelko is taking orders from fans on twitter this year. CNBC’s Darren Rovell has this great story (which we read about in SI Hot Clicks), about Zelko who hopes that making himself available on twitter (@Msbeervendor) will help increase his business.
From CNBC, “Not only will an ordered beer likely mean a better tip, but [Zelko] also says that fans with smartphones, who are on Twitter during the game, are more likely to have more wealth and therefore have more money to spend.”
See, there’s an ingenuous method to the madness! My only question is how is this guy supposed to do both at the same time. If he’s busy trying to carry beer around the stadium, won’t it be tough to check his phone for tweets? Then again, given some of his beer-selling lines, taking twitter orders is probably the way to go.
Now, the only issue here is that Zelko is opening himself up to pranks. Evil fans can send Zelko running all over the stadium with fake beer orders, though that would just be cruel. This is an awesome idea and shouldn’t be abused — it’s service at its best.


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As the cable industry gives the interoperability nod to
more standards-based cable modems, some already-approved manufacturers are being forced to
dip into the certification pool again.
The process of getting recertified under the Data Over
Cable Service Interface Specification protocols is becoming more prevalent as vendors
tweak software for their certified modems to tailor them for new systems or to add new
Four vendors applied to Cable Television Laboratories Inc.
to recertify their DOCSIS modems or to requalify cable-modem-termination systems during
the latest testing wave, along with 12 modems that were submitted for initial
CableLabs last week recertified new versions of DOCSIS
modems from Thomson Consumer Electronics and Toshiba America Consumer Products -- both of
which won the first DOCSIS certifications earlier this year -- and it awarded initial
certification to Terayon Communication Systems.
"We have customers that absolutely want to have the
latest in qualified or certified products," said Oscar Rodriguez, vice president and
general manager of Nortel Networks' broadband-technology division. "What we have
found is that the recertification process -- at least for the things we have resubmitted
-- is really no different from the original process."
Along with equipment from Arris Interactive LLC -- the
cable-modem partnership between Nortel and Antec Corp. -- CableLabs was asked to recertify
or requalify products from 3Com Corp., Thomson and Toshiba.
Donna Brune, 3Com's director of global operator
marketing, said the company's "CMX" modem needed recertification to reflect
software tweaks made partly to reflect the addition of qualified CMTS equipment since the
modem got its nod.
When the CMX was first certified, only Cisco Systems
Inc.'s headend had been qualified. Now, with CMTS equipment from Motorola Inc. and
Arris DOCSIS-qualified, "Interoperability really means a lot more than it did early
on," Brune said.
"We could continue to ship the CMX with the certified
code in it," she added. "We decided to recertify because we think we have some
code that improves performance and manageability."
In creating the process for testing the interoperability of
cable modems and CMTS equipment from different vendors, CableLabs mandated that products
certified as meeting DOCSIS standards must get recertified or requalified if any changes
are made to the hardware or software that won initial approval.
Vendors submit detailed information about product changes
and operating-performance data, and the CableLabs certification board uses the information
to determine whether the product should submit to full certification testing, undergo a
subset of the full test or simply be summarily recertified, according to DOCSIS project
director Rouzbeh Yassini.
CableLabs eventually wants the vendor community to take
full charge of ensuring that changes to certified products do not affect interoperability.
But for now, the organization needs to ensure that, in the still-early stages of DOCSIS
deployments, products are not released as certified if there are unintended bugs due to
seemingly minor changes or upgrades in software.
"The process is aimed at securing the confidence of
the board members and MSOs that there is a process to guarantee the integrity of
DOCSIS," Yassini said. "We're really a year away from walking away from
recertification and letting the vendor community take responsibility for these
Some customers are willing to buy upgraded DOCSIS products
that have not yet won recertification, assuming that the vendor will resubmit the gear and
actually get recertified for the changes in question.
Rodriguez said that because of ongoing interoperability
testing among the companies themselves -- as well as a track record of
DOCSIS-certification success -- some customers were willing to buy not-yet-qualified
product, rather than waiting out its passage through the testing process again.
Also, because the changes have been limited to software
fixes, customers figure that the likelihood of recertification is high.
"Some customers are very adamant about getting product
that is qualified," Rodriguez said. "Even if you deliver a product that is not
qualified because you've added features, they expect us to very quickly resubmit when
the next wave comes around. Then there are some customers who say, 'We trust
you.' They feel that we police ourselves very well as a vendor."
Rodriguez said software changes that required Arris to
requalify its CMTS included the addition of command-line interfaces and an advanced
Other upcoming changes that will mandate further DOCSIS
testing include software upgrades to add such features as those required for "Level
2" interoperability approval by Excite@Home Corp. and a major enhancement supporting
the 8-megahertz European spectrum, enabling interoperability with several set-top boxes
for the Continental European market.
For vendors, the headache of recertification is
increasingly outweighed by indications that the demand for standards-based cable-modem
systems is set to boom.
Cable operators have pushed for modem interoperability as a
means of creating a direct retail market for the product, instead of having to carry modem
costs on their own books.
New, yet-unpublished forecasts by Kinetic Strategies Inc.
show the significance of both the broader availability of retail and
original-equipment-manufactured modems and the resulting shrinkage for cable operators of
customer acquisition costs, modem-related capital expenditures and installation expenses.
Kinetic estimates that as cable operators widely adopt
DOCSIS-based systems and the related retail model for modem sales, over the next five
years, the percentage of customers buying modems, rather than leasing them, could rise to
nearly 80 percent.
The firm estimated that customer-acquisition costs, which
currently average more than $100 per subscriber, could drop to less than $20 in five years
as DOCSIS systems become virtually ubiquitous.
The resulting growth could be explosive: Kinetic estimates
3.4 million subscribers by the end of next year, compared with roughly 1.1 million
currently, rising to 15 million by 2003 -- creating service revenue alone of $11 billion
over the next five years.
Some 15 million DOCSIS modems could be sold in the next
five years, including an estimated 1.6 million in the coming year, representing $2 billion
in sales revenue.
"That number could go higher if you see a PC OEM-modem
market really take effect," Kinetic president Michael Harris said.


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It’s been about three weeks since Dallas’ Cyberathlete Professional League went under, but the circumstances are no less murky. Started in 1997, the league sought to establish computer and online gaming as professional sports by hosting international competitions. Skilled and amateur gamers filled conference halls around the world, duking it out on screen as they sat side by side at their own computer stations. As the industry exploded in the late '90s, so did the CPL, growing to 600,000 members and giving out a total of $3 million in prize money. CPL founder Angel Munoz was featured in The New York Times and in Wired as the lead man in the field.
But in mid-March, with no warning, the CPL issued a perplexing statement on their Web site, saying that “the current fragmentation of the sport, a crowded field of competing leagues, and the current economic climate have prompted the CPL to suspend its pro-tournament operations.” In recent weeks, Munoz and his staff have not return repeated calls and e-mails for comment. And it looks like Unfair Park isn’t the only one looking for an explanation. There are 112 comments on the CPL Web site, most of them lamenting the company’s closure.
“PC gaming has always been the one thing ive been better at than all my friends, i always dreamed of going to CPL events, and was planning to in the near future. This is a hit to competitive PC gaming. The one thing PC gamers have been able to hold above console lovers is the competition.. wat will happen if we lose that, too?” reads one comment. "This is blasphemy!” reads another.
But this one sums it up better than any: “Can’t be real , i hate everyone , stupid nightmare someone wake me up.” Unfair Park's also tried to reach out to several advisory board members, some of whom are among the bigger names in online gaming; alas, no luck there either. --Naomi Zeveloff
Keep the Dallas Observer Free... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls.


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The number of complaints about package delivery services has increased by 44% this year, with hard to find contact numbers and unwillingness to solve the problem as some of the main gripes, consumer organisation Consumentenbond has said.
The organisation received over 13,000 complaints about delivery services in 2020, up 4,000 from the year before. Most complaints were about parcels that were never delivered (24%) followed by incorrect ‘not at home’ notices (21%).
PostNL, whose capacity was stretched to the limit as its parcel stream hit 1.5 million a day in December last year, and DHL were complained about most, with 8,833 and 2,876 complaints respectively.
Delivery services with a smaller market share showed a strikingly disproportionate increase of complaints compared to 2019, the Consumentenbond said. DUP, for example, chalked up 1,339 complaints, which is double what might be expected based on an estimated market share of 5% and represents an increase of 84% on 2019.
The organisation also conducted a survey among 1,200 panel members about their experiences with parcel delivery. Most said they were sympathetic to the problems caused by the coronavirus crisis and bad weather.
They were less understanding about ‘terrible’ customer service, however, saying the companies were difficult to contact and unwilling to take action to solve the problem.
‘It looks as if companies are actively discouraging people from complaining by hiding away phone numbers on their site and keeping clients dangling for hours using chatbots, endless menus and putting them on hold for extremely long times only to refer them to the web shop because it has contracted the delivery service,’ director of the Consumentenbond Sandra Molenaar said.
Shifting the blame onto the web shop must stop, Molenaar said. ‘Delivery drivers who say clients are not at home when they are definitely don’t fall under the responsibility of the shop but of the service.’
The organisation has said they will be contacting the delivery services involved about improving customer service. It also published a handy list of delivery service contact numbers.
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TJX Companies Inc (NYSE:TJX) – Equities researchers at Northcoast Research boosted their Q2 2020 EPS estimates for shares of TJX Companies in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, May 22nd. Northcoast Research analyst T. Vierengel now anticipates that the apparel and home fashions retailer will earn $0.62 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.60. Northcoast Research also issued estimates for TJX Companies’ Q4 2020 earnings at $0.76 EPS, Q1 2021 earnings at $0.64 EPS and Q4 2021 earnings at $0.84 EPS.
TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $9.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.21 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 57.47% and a net margin of 7.69%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.13 earnings per share.
NYSE TJX opened at $52.16 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $64.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.66. TJX Companies has a 1 year low of $41.49 and a 1 year high of $56.64.
TJX Companies announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, February 27th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.25 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the apparel and home fashions retailer to purchase up to 3.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 16th will be given a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. This is a boost from TJX Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 15th. TJX Companies’s payout ratio is presently 43.60%.
In other TJX Companies news, CFO Scott Goldenberg sold 37,248 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.90, for a total transaction of $2,007,667.20. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 195,712 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,548,876.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard Sherr sold 43,000 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.08, for a total value of $2,325,440.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 118,708 shares in the company, valued at $6,419,728.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 110,978 shares of company stock worth $6,009,020. Insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.
Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 113.3% in the 4th quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 90,260,028 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer’s stock worth $4,038,232,000 after purchasing an additional 47,939,993 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 53,531,356 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer’s stock worth $2,848,403,000 after purchasing an additional 2,052,931 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc now owns 49,232,312 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer’s stock worth $5,515,004,000 after purchasing an additional 593,647 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 77.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 33,050,653 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer’s stock worth $1,478,686,000 after purchasing an additional 14,469,980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 13,963.2% in the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 26,176,882 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailer’s stock worth $585,000 after purchasing an additional 25,990,744 shares in the last quarter. 90.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About TJX Companies
The TJX Companies, Inc operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, kids, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; footwear; and other merchandise.
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Facebook Spaces VR Test Drive | TWiT Bits
On The New Screen Savers, Leo Laporte and Nathan Olivarez-Giles each put on Oculus Rift headsets and go inside the new beta version of the virtual reality environment, Facebook Spaces.
For the full episode, go to twit.tv/nss/103
This content comes from:
TWiT Bits (Video-LO)


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Read the original article at 112.ua
The Donbas blockade beginning in late 2016 as a public initiative of ATO veterans eventually turned into a state policy and led to an end of the export of products from the territories of the self-proclaimed republics.
In response to the blockade, the uncontrolled territories of LNR and the DNR "leadership" announced the "nationalization" of Ukrainian companies operating in temporarily uncontrolled territories, but exporting products to Ukraine and paying taxes there. For example, 43 objects from the uncontrolled part of DNR were included in this list.
However, by the time of nationalization, most industrial enterprises already had a long break in work because of the blockade of DNR that had begun. And whether the leaders of self-proclaimed "republics" will be able to restart the work - in fact, it will be the main exam for them, as well as for the quasi-state entities themselves. Examination of their vitality.
Material and marketing hunger
The initial euphoria from nationalization in the DNR quickly passed away. Despite the promises to start production at new "state" enterprises, for a month and a half it was possible to do it only at the Donetsk brewery "Sarmat", which had a break in its work for more than 2 years.
This event became very indicative for the economy, and it's not even about the dubious value of the enterprise's products, but that restart of it only confirmed the rule.
During the whole period of the ATO, the food industry in the self-proclaimed DNR felt itself very confident, as it did not depend much on Ukraine in terms of purchasing raw materials and marketing finished products. Therefore, it was relatively easy to resume production of the brewery and make its operation fairly stable.
The heavy industry, which today mostly stopped its work, is another matter. And the reason for this are the problems caused first by the blockade of uncontrolled territories, and then by the nationalization of enterprises.
After the termination of transport communication with Ukraine, the metallurgical enterprises were left without raw materials; more precisely iron ore, and even more importantly - without the markets for finished products. All this, even without nationalization, made the work of enterprises impossible.
The legal status of an unrecognized state does not allow DNR or LNR to independently purchase necessary raw materials or sell finished products, which makes any production activity impossible.
Russia's help: ore in exchange for metal?
However, the leadership of the unrecognized LNR and DNR from the very first day declared that it relies on the assistance of the Russian Federation in the matter of supplying raw materials necessary for the metallurgical industry enterprises.
In general, speaking technically, given the free border of self-proclaimed "republics" with the Russian Federation, this issue is very easy to solve - iron ore concentrate for metallurgists can be easily delivered by trains. As for coke, its extraction and production capacities, there is quite enough of it in the territory of the self-proclaimed "republics".
On April 7, the head of the DNR, Alexander Zakharchenko, said that a basic agreement on supplies had already been reached, and by the end of the month production at the main metallurgical enterprise of the self-proclaimed republic, Yenakiyevo Metallurgical Plant (Rinat Akhmetov's asset) would be resumed. On April 10, the Russian media reported on the decision of the Russian Railways to introduce a 25% discount on the transportation of iron ore to the "border" of the self-proclaimed republics. On April 12, appeared information on the beginning of deliveries of iron ore from the enterprises of the Russian metallurgical company Severstal.
Finally, on April 14, the head of the Federal Agency for State Reserves of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Gogin, stated that "deliveries of raw materials for the enterprises of the southeastern districts of Donetsk and Luhansk areas are temporarily provided as humanitarian support of the territory at the expense of available federal reserves of material assets ", thereby confirming the supply of raw materials and assistance of the Russian Federation, although it was presented as humanitarian assistance, apparently with the aim of covering up Russian companies from imminent sanctions due to trade with the unrecognized "republics".
However, the supply of raw materials for metallurgical enterprises in the territory of the self-proclaimed republics does not solve the second problem - the sale of finished products, which is impossible to do from the territory of the unrecognized and legally non-existent republic. And here there is only one option - to sell it to those who agree to manage with "legalization" of the goods, but instead require low commodity prices.
The most likely, Ukrainian companies would be in the role of such a buyer that agree to close his eyes to the origin of the goods and proved to be sufficiently ingenious to organize the legalization of the goods. Also, this may help Russian companies.
In general, the supply of iron ore to the self-proclaimed DNR companies for the profit of Russian metallurgical enterprises is not very profitable action at all. The world price for iron ore in recent years has fallen, so selling the cheaper raw material is not very tricky, but the main concern is not even in that.
Russian and Ukrainian metallurgists traditionally compete with each other on international markets, and the stop of enterprises on uncontrolled territory gives Russian metallurgical companies a chance to take their niches on the market. At the same time, the revival of the work of the metallurgical enterprises in DNR with a subsequent attempt to sell their products independently will reject this possibility, and these missed opportunities will not be compensated by the 25% discount on the transportation of iron ore.
Without hope for restart?
Metallurgists can still say they are "lucky." Even if the metal produced is sold at a lower price than its real value, it will still allow to start its production and to receive wages. But in the self-proclaimed DNR there are some enterprises, the hopes for launching of which become smaller. And first of all, these are front-line enterprises.
We are talking about Horlivka. On April 12, at last, the intrigue was resolved: will the concern "Stirol", undoubtedly, the largest enterprise of the city, be nationalized and will it receive an "external management"? On this day, Acting Minister of Industry and Trade of the self-proclaimed "DNR" Alexei Granovsky presented at the meeting of employees the new director - Artiom Serdyukov.
On the enterprise that has been operating for more than 2 years, however, wages have been paid, albeit recently with delays, so that by March 2017, wages were paid in part only in January.
At the meeting, the officials of DNR and the new director traditionally assured all employees of preserving jobs and continuing payment of the existing salary in rubles at the rate of 1 to 2. It was also announced that the main production could be launched, although on the condition of peace or at least the safe for the enterprise distance from the front line, as well as the first launch of production of safer things from polystyrene, plastic dishes, household paint.
But we know that such assurances from the leadership of the self-proclaimed DNR sound regularly.
Also, it is regularly promised to start production at another major city enterprise - the Horlivka Kirov machine-building plant. Stopped in 2014, deprived of a part of the equipment taken out by the owner - the Corum Group to Druzhkivka and Kharkiv, and occupied by illegal armed formations, it is increasingly turning into a ghost enterprise.
In the autumn of 2015, mining stopped at the mines of Artemvuhillia Horlivka state enterprise, and the mines now work only for pumping out water.
At the same time, Horlivka Coke Chemical Plant, which restored production in 2015, and the producer of medicines "Stirolbiopharm", owned by Hero of Ukraine Mykola Yankovsky, are still working in the city.
Show before the cameras
However, there is still another option, which was implemented with "success" in the territory of the self-proclaimed DNR during the April 6 so-called "military gathering" – a show-off.
That is, in front of the cameras of local and Russian media, production at some plant will be solemnly launched, and then the enterprise will be stopped again after a few days /weeks of work.
Therefore, it is necessary to regard the "nationalization" of Ukrainian enterprises in uncontrolled territories not only in economic reasons. After all, the self-proclaimed authorities needed not just idle factories and mines, but a lever of pressure on Kyiv. Now Zakharchenko and Plotnitsky will have to rack their brains about how to turn loud statements into jobs and salaries.


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The launch of the Acura ILX kicked off on Sunday, and Acura told the crowd of assembled journalists that their new ILX sedan will cost “around $27,000″.
AutoGuide’s Colum Wood notes that the Buick Verano, which is the ILX’s closest competitor, starts at a far lower sticker price – $22,585. According to Wood, Acura staff who were asked about the difference seemed unfazed, and suggested that the two cars didn’t really compete with one another.
The ILX, as well all know, is heavily based on the current Honda Civic, and shares the same engine as the Civic Hybrid and Civic Si, as well as offering a 150 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. It seems rather audacious for Acura to start pricing at such a level – the level of content or refinement better be able to justify such an enormous gulf, as even the Verano, with its improved engines and substantially improved sound deadening and interior, is able to maintain a smaller pricing delta relative to the Cruze.


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Take a look…
The UK’s biggest tour operater had been fined a total of 48 times during 2015 and 2016 for breaching Abta’s code of conduct.
The company breaches included inaccurate advertising and sending tourists to resorts where building work was being carried out.
However, Tui said it was committed to resolving customer experiences.
The figures, which were compiled from industry data by You & Yours on BBC Radio 4 , shows that Tui’s most recent fine was £1,500, this was imposed in December 2016 due to the fact the company cancelled customer’s travel arrangements after the holiday had already been paid for.
Many other fines were due to failing to respond quickly to correspondence.
Three of them were due to the fact Tui had not told customers before they went on holiday about the significant building work taking place at their resorts.
In a statement, Tui said: “We are sorry to hear if a holiday falls short of expectations or is impacted by circumstances, which are sometimes beyond our control. We remain committed to resolving any issue a customer experiences.”


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US consumers held their wallets tightly in May, spending no more than they did a month earlier in another sign of the country's limping economy, Commerce Department figures showed on Monday.
With higher prices eating into wages and the job market weak, Americans spent $US4.6 billion ($A4.4 billion) more than in April, a rise of less than 0.1 per cent. With inflation calculated in, it was a 0.1 per cent drop.
And while personal incomes rose 0.3 per cent, but inflation-adjusted income was up only 0.1 per cent.
A key driver of the US economy, consumer spending is closely watched as a barometer of economic growth.
But higher prices for food and especially fuel have been sapping any surplus strength in shoppers' pocketbooks -- the headline inflation rate has been running close to four percent in the second quarter.
Due to the impact of higher prices, indeed, incomes have hardly budged since the beginning of the year.
High Frequency Economics economist Ian Shepherdson blamed the slow spending on the rise in gasoline prices, which helped to put a big dent in automobile sales.
"Even with a rebound in June, (second quarter) spending is set for less than one per cent. But (quarter three) will be better, with gas prices falling," he predicted.
But others say the malaise is deeper.
"The first half of the year looks like real growth of two per cent, inflation at four per cent, and a nine per cent unemployment rate," said RDQ Economics. "It looks like a nasty stagflationary brew to us."


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JD.com Will Provide One Million Sustainable Products
JD.com, China’s second-largest e-commerce firm by transaction volume behind Alibaba, offers a broad range of legitimate items at low rates and fast and dependable delivery. The firm has established its countrywide fulfillment and last-mile distribution networks, supporting its direct online sales, online marketplace, and omnichannel businesses. It is operated entirely by its personnel. In 2010, JD started its online marketplace.
JD.Com Founder Richard Liu Celebrates His 10th Anniversary
As the company celebrates its 18th anniversary, Richard Liu Qiangdong, the grower and high of China’s e-commerce behemoth JD said his company would “do the correct thing [in] the right way” under growing government scrutiny the country’s Big Tech industry.
Liu acknowledged the company’s transformation and quick expansion in recent years in a letter to investors. Noting that it has completed initial public offers for its health and logistics businesses and established the 618 shopping event as another significant event in China’s competitive e-commerce environment.
Summary of Net Worth
Liu’s income stems from a 14.5 percent investment in JD, a Chinese online retailer. According to a business presentation, JD will have over 569 million active consumers by 2021.
According to a 13G filing as of December 31, 2021, Liu Qiangdong owns the assets via Max Smart, a British Virgin Islands-based holding company. He also shares the firm through Fortune Rising Holdings, a British Virgin Islands-based investment company. Fortune Rising’s shares are not included in Liu’s value since they are owned as part of a share incentive scheme that provides no personal financial advantage to him.
JD’s Growth and Success
JD.com’s roots have grown beyond its online store, embracing everything from pharmaceuticals to fresh food to reopening physical storefronts. JD jumped from 17th to 13th place on the Fortune China 500 list for the fifth year in 2020. JD.com has established itself as China’s go-to site for quick service, genuine merchandise, and a shopping environment geared to today’s online customers.
Each aspect of this encounter has been thoroughly thought out and produced with Qiangdong’s original idea in mind inside this very carefully established corporation. The organization expects to expand its area of control into Thailand, Southeast Asia, Europe, and beyond due to its continuing success and numerous honors. JD also aims to extend its product regularly, attracting worldwide interest from various retail and e-commerce companies. The organization anticipates long-term collaborations with these firms and excellent worldwide commercial ties.
The First Shipment Of COVID-19 Rescue Donations From JD
Following JD’s announcement on February 18 that it would give RMB 100 million yuan worth of COVID-19 relief supplies to Hong Kong medical professionals, the city’s first cargo truck containing roughly 15,000 protection suits arrived on February 23.
More boxes are on their way, with the first batch consisting of over 6,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) comprising masks, gloves, and sanitizing gels sent from manufacturers and warehouses across China over the weekend and aggregated in Shenzhen.
Green Impact Initiative at JD Will Provide One Million Sustainable Products
JD announced the start of its “Green Impact Initiative,” which aims to encourage sustainable consumption across the supply chain. Starting with this year’s 618 Grand Promotion, China’s largest mid-year purchasing festival, JD will pick around one million items to be green-labeled, making it easier for Chinese shoppers to locate and buy green products.
On May 31, the initiative was launched on JD’s app in partnership with worldwide partners such as P&G, JOMOO, L’Oréal, CHERY, PurCotton, Nestlé, Panasonic, Abbott, and the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprise. Customers may earn green credits by purchasing these designated items. They can then redeem them for green products, coupons, and accessories, including digital collectibles, through a newly formed green account system incorporated into JD’s app.


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Thursday, October 25th, 2012
When you head to the polls on November 6, there may be an item on your ballot that you haven’t heard of before. Californian voters will have the option to vote on Proposition 37, a bill that would require foods with genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) to be labeled for consumers. A GMO is a food that has had specific changes to its DNA by genetic engineering techniques. The purpose of these genetic alterations is to make crops more resistant to rain, drought and pests.
Supporters of the bill say that GMO’s have been linked to allergies, organ toxicity and other health problems. Fifty countries in the world, including all of Europe, Japan, India and China, already require labels on GMO’s. Over 400 nationally renowned chefs have signed a petition in support of the bill saying that consumers should have a right to know if their food has been genetically engineered.
Based on those facts, passing Prop 37 may seem like an easy decision. However, its opponents firmly believe otherwise. According to No Prop 37, GMO’s are products of biotechnology— a safe anti-pesticide process that has been going on for nearly two decades. Opponents believe that by banning the sale of millions of common grocery products unless they are repackaged or made with higher cost ingredients would increase government bureaucracy and taxpayer costs.
Do you think GMO foods should be labeled? Let us know in the comments.


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US100 broke through the strong resistance trendline, following July's inflation numbers on Wednesday, which were less than analysts expected…
Alibaba: Have You Lost Your Faith in China?
2021-09-16 • Updated
Nearly one year later, Beijing started to concern about Alipay, which combines a digital payments platform with other traditional financial products such as loans, wealth management, and insurance. On September 13, Beijing reported that it will force the Ant Group, a subsidiary of Alibaba, to abandon the Alipay payment service and create a separate lending application. The new project will be partially owned by the government.
Alipay is currently used by over a billion people. Service revenue makes up a huge chunk of Ant Group's profits. In addition, ten percent of all consumer loans in the country were disbursed through the application last year.
Alibaba stock fell by 8% as the price reached the $153 level, following the Chinese government announcement. New rules will affect all online lenders in China. The central bank told industry participants that lending decisions should not be based on firms' data but data from a separate authorized company should be used to assess the creditworthiness of customers.
Alibaba, daily chart
Alibaba stock fell by more than 50% since its all-time high in October 2020. It’s a great drop, with was caused by the Chinese government pressure. However, it didn’t affect Alibaba’s financial and fundamental position. Alibaba is still one of the biggest online commerce companies.
That’s why we suppose that some pullback is expected to happen in Alibaba stock. According to the RSI, the price came in the oversold area. The RSI might form reversed "head with shoulders" pattern, which will be a strong bullish sign. If by the end of this week sellers do not push Alibaba under the $153 support level, we will see a pullback up to $177.
In the worst scenario, if $153 support gets broken through, Alibaba stock will dump to $130.
People all over the world love kind and colorful Disney cartoons. What if we say that you can both adore the pictures and trade stocks of the company that creates them?
The e-commerce giant has recently faced a lot of pressure, starting from global uncertainty in China amid lockdowns and geopolitics. The company has been added to the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) delisting queue. Finally, there’s an earnings report coming on August 4. Let’s discuss everything and prepare for the next move.
The views here are solely based on Technical Analysis techniques using my personal Smart Money approach. Hence, it is important to understand that the trading of CFDs comes at a risk; if not properly managed, you may lose all of your trading capital. To avoid costly mistakes while you look to trade these opportunities, be sure to do your own due diligence and manage your risk appropriately.
Even though we've only witnessed sluggish movements from the Dollar over the past few weeks, the general idea and bias still seem intact and untampered. The bullish impulse however can be seen as "searching for support".
Suddenly, the US Dollar Index fell 6.70% over the last two weeks, marking the biggest decrease in the currency since 2020.


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A day after the makers of Similac issued a recall on infant formula, a federal class action was filed accusing the manufacturers of unfairly and deceptively promoting the product as having safe ingredients for infant consumption when the ingredients may cause diarrhea and other health problems.
Kathleen A. Brandner, individually and on behalf of her minor child, filed the class action lawsuit against Abbot Laboratories Inc. and Sam's East d/b/a Sam's Club on Sept. 23 in federal court in New Orleans.
Brandner and the proposed class are represented by Michael Brandner Jr. of Brandner Law Firm in Metairie and Stephen S. Kreller of The Kreller Law Firm in New Orleans.
Defendant Abbott announced a recall on Similac powder products on Sept. 22, as the products could contain pieces of beetles and beetle larvae.
Although the FDA has determined the beetles pose no immediate health risks, Abbott states there is a possibility that the tainted formula could cause gastrointestinal discomfort and cause babies to refuse to eat.
The lawsuit accuses the defendant of failing to properly exert quality control measures to ensure that the formula was safe for consumption and that it did not contain beetle particles.
Abbott and Sam's Club are accused of negligence, strict liability, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose and unjust enrichment.
The Jefferson Parish mother is asking the court to prevent the defendants from continued misrepresentation and other negative conduct with regard to the Similac products.
On behalf of the proposed class, Brandner is seeking an award of refunds, general, punitive, consequential and special damages, attorneys' fees, court costs, and pre and post-judgment interest.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:10cv03242


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Thousands of women sent in their headshots to compete to walk the runway in NYC wearing Torrid’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection. But only 10 made it to the brand’s New York Fashion Week debut at Skylight Clarkson Sq in West SoHo on Sept. 12.
The plus-size retailer — specializing in styles for women who wear sizes 10 through 30 — showing at NYFW is an exciting move for many women who struggle to identify with the high fashion runways that remain primarily dominated by models sizes two and below. Torrid isn’t the only brand to attempt to boost inclusivity in the fashion universe. Christian Siriano has been known to focus on diversity, from gender to race to size. And plus-size models like Ashley Graham and Sabina Karlsson (both of whom walked in the Siriano and Michael Kors shows among others this season), have become beacons of hope for fashion-loving millennials who are itching for change in the industry standard.
Torrid’s model search, which was open to the public, gave women around the globe a chance to chase a dream that to some seemed out of reach. The winner, to be announced in November, will be deemed the “Next Face of Torrid,” a role currently held by New Jersey’s Maria Gimena.
We caught up with six of Torrid’s Top 10 model contest finalists via email to find out what their road to NYFW as a plus-size model looked like.


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This designer is fascinated by psychedelics, but can't bring herself to believe in cryptocurrencies.
Golin chief creative officer Caroline Dettman is leading the campaign. She cited toxic environments as the reason why women creatives
Here's what we've learned at SXSW so far, says Cogeco Peer 1's VP and GM for the US and Latin
With women only comprising 12% of all creatives, will AI be the next annoyingly hot creative team in town we
The week's account wins and losses, promotions, new hires and layoffs.
Be like Patagonia (and Chik-fil-A), not like Pepsi.
MediaCom is looking to ensure greater consistency across its network with the appointment of Kate Rowlinson as managing director of
DigitasLBi has rebranded itself to just Digitas following its alignment by Publicis Groupe to its media division and the appointment
The ad industry officially joins the movement with the creation of Time's Up Advertising.
We are dealing with limited resources (practice time being the equivalent to a marketing budget), says the the group account
The latest work, news, advice, comment and analysis, sent to you every dayregister free


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Martin Girdlestone talks digital strategy with Real Business
Martin Girdlestone – Head of Consulting at Salmon, a Wunderman Commerce Company, recently shared his views about digital strategy with the magazine - Real Business. Here's an abstract of the full piece which you can find here.
Digital technologies can bring a whole host of advantages for businesses: transforming customer experience, offering new services, entering new markets and streamlining operations, to name a few. The business world is largely getting wise to this, with organisations from many industries making digital a priority. However, companies often struggle to turn their digital ambition into genuine competitive advantage. The main reason we see is that companies focus on developing distinct digital strategies, bolting things on like a website or an app, rather than taking a holistic approach and digitising their strategy - a subtle but important difference. The true experts are fundamentally changing how they go to market, changing their processes, their operations and their customer experience to deliver real value to their customers.
To investigate this further, a recent Forrester report jointly commissioned by Salmon and Rackspace analysed how 150 global businesses approach digital transformation and benchmarked those companies that are succeeding in digitising their strategies. From this, we can identify the key success strategies that separate the digital experts from the laggards. Read on....