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If you are already incensed by the ever-more-prominent ads or the constant promotion of “top stories” over “most recent” in Facebook, their next move could prove even less popular: today, the social networking giant has begun testing publishing news articles directly into the Facebook news feed, starting with iPhone. The goal? To figure out a way to monetize mobile.
Of course, Facebook isn’t marketing it as such. Instead, it is pushing this new feature, called Instant Articles, as a win for users.
“Fundamentally, this is a tool that enables publishers to provide a better experience for their readers on Facebook,” Facebook chief product officer Chris Cox says in a canned quote. “Instant Articles lets them deliver fast, interactive articles while maintaining control of their content and business models.”
Put another way, Facebook users are going to have to get used to even more content that pays the bills rather than provides them with updates from their friends and family. And because Facebook’s astonishing audience of over 1 billion users is increasingly accessing the service via smart phones, these mobile devices will be the next battlefront.
Google and other ad sellers have struggled for years to create mobile ads that make sense: on a PC there is more onscreen real estate for ads, and those searches tend to be more general, which helps the ads be more generally useful. But mobile has unique challenges. Users tend to need something very specific when they are out and about with their device, and it’s not really possible to pop-up ads in the middle of a search.
But Facebook has come up with a unique solution. And the theory with Instant Articles is the same as with sponsored posts, which are really ads that appear inline in a user’s Facebook timeline alongside real posts: monetize the steady stream of eyeballs that Facebook enjoys. Since so many users start their day with Facebook and access the service throughout the day, it has a captive audience of sorts.
Instant Articles appear inline in your Facebook timeline and they look much like any article that a Facebook friend might share via the service. They load much more quickly than shared articles have typically—up to 10 times faster, Facebook says—and include interactive features. You can “zoom in and explore high-resolution photos by tilting your phone,” Facebook notes, “watch auto-play videos come alive as you scroll through stories, explore interactive maps, listen to audio captions, and even like and comment on individual parts of an article in-line.”
That sounds wonderful, assuming you visit Facebook for news. But Instant Articles is really about monetization. It allows publishers to sell ads in their articles and choose between different revenue streams. Publishers can track data and traffic through comScore and other analytics tools, the firm says.
And Facebook is working with major publishers, too. Its launch partners include The Atlantic, BBC News, Bild, BuzzFeed, The Guardian, National Geographic, NBC, Spiegel, and The New York Times.
“The New York Times already has a significant and growing audience on Facebook,” The New York Times Company president and CEO Mark Thompson says in a prepared statement. “We’re participating in Instant Articles to explore ways of growing the number of Times users on Facebook, improving their experience of our journalism and deepening their engagement. We have a long tradition of meeting readers where they are and that means being available not just on our own sites, but on the social platforms frequented by many current and potential Times users.” He makes it sound almost altruistic.
Instant Articles is launching first on Facebook for iPhone and will make its way to other platforms—and include more publishing partners—over time. If you’re using a non-iPhone device to access Facebook, you’ll see normal web links to articles in the meantime.


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6 Most Dangerous Food Ingredients That Have Been Banned in the U.S.
We like to think that everything we put into our carts at the grocery store is safe to eat, but this hasn't always been the case.
Over the years, the FDA has banned certain food ingredients that were found to be harmful to consumers. While no longer used in the U.S., some of these ingredients can still be found in other countries, so make sure to avoid them when traveling.
We've rounded up the most dangerous food ingredients that have been banned.
And don't miss 8 Fast-Food Chains That Use the Highest Quality Meat.
Banned since 1954 in all U.S. products, Coumarin is a chemical that used to be added for flavor in many sweets. "It is found in tonka beans and extract of tonka beans, among other natural sources, and is also synthesized," reports the FDA.
Coumarin has been known to cause liver damage and be associated with blood thinning. In 2008, the FDA had to issue a news release for consumers to avoid "Mexican vanilla," a product made from tonka beans vs. beans from the vanilla plant. Coumarin is not banned in every country—it can still be found in some parts of Latin America.
You can now enjoy your cottage cheese worry-free because 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate is banned in the U.S. That's right, this food additive used to be a "comp. of a cottage cheese coagula," as reported by the FDA. NIH details how the chemical compound 8-hydroxyquinoline, when exposed to iron, caused DNA strand breakage in cultured human lung cells.
As of 1941, monochloroacetic acid is no longer allowed in U.S. food because of its toxicity. A former preservative in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, this synthetic chemical is now only permitted in food packaging up to a certain level.
"Food containing any added or detectable level of monochloroacetic acid is deemed to be adulterated in violation of the act based upon trade correspondence dated December 29, 1941 (TC-377)," states the FDA.
A former ingredient in root beer, safrole was banned decades ago as a result of its potential link to cancer. It comes from the sassafras plant, so oil of sassafras is about 80% safrole, according to the FDA.
"Food containing any added safrole, oil of sassafras, isosafrole, or dihydrosafrole…is deemed to be adulterated in violation of the act based upon an order published in the Federal Register of December 3, 1960," states the FDA. A world without root beer floats is one we don't want to be a part of, so it's a good thing safrole is out of the picture.
Thiourea is a synthetic chemical that the National Toxicology Program reports as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." It has long been banned in the U.S., but it used to be "an antimycotic for use in dipping citrus," according to the FDA. This essentially meant that citrus fruits were coated in Thiourea to prevent browning and bacterial decay.
Formerly used as an antioxidant in food, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) was banned in the U.S. in 1968. The natural chemical can be found in certain plants, but the synthesized, commercial product was the one used in food. Several studies in both animals and humans reported NDGA to be associated with cystic renal disease and liver damage.

domain: news


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ESPN Crave is the latest news destination to be powered by the social media platform of the future.
The news app, launched in 2017, has been in beta testing since September 2017.
It’s currently available in a beta-state on iOS and Android and is slated to be rolled out to desktop soon.
ESPN Crie The social media app is powered by a new algorithm that aims to increase user engagement and retention, ESPN Criem reports.
The algorithm will make it easier for users to share content, interact with others and connect with friends and family.
ESPN’s Alvaro Gimenez, who is a co-founder and chief product officer at ESPN, explained the new features in an interview with ESPN Crive.
“Our mission has always been to be a destination for you to engage, to find something to talk about, to watch and to share.
We are moving into the 21st century.
We want people to connect with us and share our content with their friends, and it’s just a matter of doing it,” he said.
“We want people and content to be connected and more than ever, we want people, content and people to be on the same page.”
The ESPN Creme Social app is being launched with an invite-only beta for the first time in the US.
The app will be available to users in the coming weeks.
The news app also features a brand new homepage, which will allow users to access all the content and services they need, such as breaking news and breaking sports.
The new homepage also allows users to follow along with a live feed of sports events, including the NBA Finals and Super Bowl.
While there is still no word on when the app will arrive in the UK, Gimenez hinted that it would arrive as soon as possible.
“This is our first app in the world, but it will be arriving as soon the app arrives in the U.K.,” he said, before adding that it’s not yet known when the U:England version will arrive.
“It will be here in a few weeks.”


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Articles About Dick’s Sporting Goods
July 25, 2014
A recent survey showed that many e-commerce websites are unprepared for Amazon's Fire phone.
June 15, 2014
On Thursday morning we learned that May retail sales came in weaker than expected.
May 27, 2014
Hibbett Sports stock has been pressured of late, trading right along its 52-week low of $50.67.


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Starting in 2019, Playmates Toys began releasing figures around both the MonsterVerse and the Toho Godzilla films. Since then, they have published toys around the Showa series, Heisei series, Millennium series, Reiwa series and including figures for the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong. This has encompassed a wide range of different versions of Godzilla as well, including Godzilla 1954, Godzilla 1968, Godzilla 1999, Godzilla 2004, Godzilla 2016 and the MonsterVerse version.
The line of figures is continuing to grow as well, with more figures coming later this year. To celebrate, Playmates Toys was kind enough to send us first look promo videos for two upcoming figures in the line.
Below is a first promotional look at the upcoming Godzilla 1995, or Burning Godzilla, figure. The toy is part of their 6.5-inch scale and is set for a 2021 release, which has been rumored as coming this Spring.
In addition to Burning Godzilla, Playmates Toys is also providing a promotional video around their Jet Jaguar figure, from Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). Similarly, this figure is 2021 release and also at the 6.5-inch scale.
Thoughts on the two upcoming figures? Have any hopes for what others might come in the future? Sound off in the comments below.


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Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-biggest car maker, said it will recall about 540,000 vehicles worldwide due to potential defects in brake pedal pins and fuel-gauge components, mostly in the United States.
Nissan said five models from 2008 to 2010 model years, including the Titan truck and Armada SUV, would be recalled due to the risk of the brake pedal pins partially disengaging, causing a loss of normal braking ability.
This recall will involve 179,000 cars in the U.S. and 25,800 in other regions, Nissan said in a statement, adding that there have been three reported cases of this braking problem, Reuters informs.
Toyota (TM) recalled nearly 8.5 vehicles worldwide for a variety of problems including brakes and accelerators. Then GM recalled 1.3 million cars sold in North America that have steering problems.
There have also been several other small recalls by other car companies since the beginning of the year and Ford (F) had a non-recall recall of Fusion and Mercury hybrids to "update" brake software.
February figures for domestic car sales were announced on February 2 and some companies, especially Ford (F), made impressive gains over the same month last year. But the total vehicles sales figures for car buying activity remains very low.
On an annualized basis using the February figures, there will only be 10.4 million cars sold in America this year. That's well below the target of 12 million vehicles set by the large car manufacturers at the beginning of the year, DailyFinance reports.
The recalls also affect Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Taiwan, Nissan North America said in a statement.
The models with faulty brake pedals are the Titan pickup trucks, the Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs and Quest minivans built between 2008 and 2010, the company said, adding that it would pull 178,916 units from US roads, AFP reports.
Ukrainians are fleeing the cities that could be taken by the Russian army. Apartment prices have already dropped by as much as 50 percent in Kharkiv. Housing sales have increased in Odessa as well, even if compared to 2022


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New SAP AppHaus Stimulates Creativity
SAP launches its first AppHaus in Germany, a creative environment where SAP designers, developers, and customers can work together on new, innovative products.
Connecting Education to Jobs in Africa
SAP collaborates with the World Bank to focus on education and skills development, most notably through the SAP Skills for Africa program.
River of Change for India’s Local Retailers
SAP Ganges links millions of retailers, distributors, banks, and telecommunication companies throughout India. And that’s just the beginning.
Meet Our Customers
Hear how SAP customers around the world run better.


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Promoters Go Shopping For Shares As Markets Tumble
Promoters use market rout to tank up on shares of their own companies.
As Indian stocks tumbled because of the Covid-19 uncertainty, tracking the biggest drop in global equity indices in more than a decade, promoters of several domestic companies used the opportunity increase stake in their firms.
Among the Nifty 50 constituents, 12 saw controlling shareholders increase stake, according to exchange filings. Tata Group led the pack. Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., parent of India’s largest conglomerate, raised its holding in Tata Motors Ltd., the owner of luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Steel Ltd.
The Japanese parent of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the nation’s largest carmaker, also acquired more than 2 lakh shares in the Indian arm in March.
The buying by promoters came as India’s Nifty 50 tumbled more than 30 percent before recovering some losses. Broader Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100, too, plunged as the nation announced lockdown to check the spread of the pneumonia-causing virus that has taken the biggest toll among the elderly and people with existing conditions.
Outside Nifty 50, promoters of other companies also increased holding in market and off-market buying. Here’s the list of companies that saw the controlling shareholder increase stake by at least 0.5 percentage points.
Heavy buying was seen by promoters of SMS Life Sciences Ltd., while the German parent of BASF Ltd. increased its holding in the company to more than 50 percent.
Sameer Gehlaut bought 58 lakh shares in Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd., while Tata Sons increased sake in other group companies including Tata Chemicals Ltd. and Tata Power Ltd.


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EEU to start negotiations on free trade agreement with Egypt and India
12:57, 14 May, 2015
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS: The Eurasian Economic Union is conducting negotiations on the free trade agreement with Israel. This was stated by the member of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board Andrey Slepnev at the meeting with businessmen held in Yerevan. “We continue the negotiations on the free trade agreement with Israel and I should say that these talks are quite efficient”, - said Slepnev, Armenpress reports.
He also stated that in the nearest future the Eurasian Economic Union will start negotiations on the agreement with Egypt and India as well.


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A call to disarm
Will legislation and the Christchurch Call tech giants' agreement have a significant impact in combating violent online content, or muddy the internet waters?
Facebook's latest crush
The social media giant is entering the dating app market, but will it be seen as yet another invasion of privacy?
Facebook: the troubled teen
The social media giant has turned 15, but its growing pains continue.
The privacy scandal engulfing Facebook and Cambridge Analytica raises the question of how to regulate online networks where all users can produce content.


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State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) ranked as the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East, the company said in a statement on Saturday.
The Kingdom’s flag carrier has grown by 13.1% and received an ‘A’ rating from Brand Finance, a brand valuation consultancy that recently released its annual report ranking the top 50 airlines worldwide.
In addition to calculating brand equity, Brand Finance “also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics that evaluate marketing investments, stakeholder equity, and business performance.”
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The recent performance reflects Saudia’s brand performance success, the company said, attributing it to “overall growth in its route network; expansion into new markets; growth in passenger numbers and improvements in onboard product, lounges and guest services.”
“The airline’s brand is symbolic of the nation’s brand. With the tourism ecosystem thriving and visitor numbers at an exceptionally high level, Saudia is well positioned to continue accelerating as the wings of the country’s Vision 2030,” said Chief Marketing Officer Khaled Tash.
As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom wants to increase the number of tourists to 100 million by 2030 and the number of religious visitors to 30 million per year.
Saudia added that its fleet consists of nearly 150 “narrow and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft, flying to more than 100 destinations.”
Last month, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Duailej, head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), told Al Arabiya that GACA plans to increase airport capacity to handle 330 million passengers by 2030.
GACA also aims to increase the number of destinations offered from the Kingdom’s airports from 100 to 250 by 2030.
Saudi Arabia receives first foreign Hajj pilgrims since before pandemic
Saudi Arabia Begins Hajj Registration for Citizens, Residents: Ministry
Saudi Arabia launches training program for space enthusiasts


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PayPal nabs Wells Fargo’s Peggy Mangot for venture capital role
PayPal has hired former Wells Fargo innovation executive, Peggy Mangot, who led the bank’s digital development for four years.
Mangot is joining PayPal Ventures as an operating partner. According to her listing of the role on social media, she will work out of the San Francisco Bay area.
Prior to her time at Wells Fargo, Mangot founded SparkGift, a micro-investing platform. She has also held positions at Google, Visa, and Allianz.
During her time at Wells Fargo Mangot led the development of the lender’s challenger bank and mobile app Greenhouse.
The app offers money management with two accounts that work together: one account for weekly spending tied to a debit card, and one account dedicated to savings and bills.
It includes a real-time debit card to use with a mobile wallet tied to the weekly spending account. User have access to both accounts at Wells Fargo ATMs and branches.


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iConsole.tv over the weekend has announced that their new Haswell powered gaming PC in the form of the Android powered iConsole.tv will support the new Steam OS which was unveiled by Valve last month.
iConsole.tv is the very first company outside of Valve to support the new Steam OS which has been created by Valve specifically for gaming PCs. It also makes the companies new PC gaming rig the first Android device that is capable of rocking SteamOS.
The new iConsole.tv has been designed to offer users a 2-in-1 experience offering both a gaming console as well as a fully functional PC system when required and is the first Android device to score higher than 80,000 in the AnTuTu benchmark.
iConsole.tv is designed with HD DVR, 4K, and 3DTV in mind, as well as to deliver Android in a gamepad, and keyboard-and mouse friendly experience and has been built from the ground up as a gaming console.
The iConsole.tv developer kit is now available to purchase for $699, roughly $300 cheaper than the previous model and iConsole.tv is planning to make consumer devices available for around $400-500 which it will launch in the future. Unfortunately no information on worldwide availability has been announced by iConsole.tv but as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.
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Automobili Lamborghini SpA unveiled its 2013 Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo, a racing car designed for the company’s Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, a one-make racing series aimed at giving customers a way to get into motorsport while raising the company’s profile.
The Italian exotic-car builder, a unit of German auto giant Volkswagen, started the Super Trofeo series in part as a response to rival Ferrari’s long-running Challenge series in which wealthy buyers compete in race-prepared version s of the company’s street cars.
Automobili Lamborghini SpA is recalling certain Gallardo coupes and convertibles from the 2004 through 2006 model years to fix a potential problem in their power-steering systems that could result in fires.
In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company said the cars’ high-pressure hydraulic fittings could leak near the power steering pump, and that leaking fluid could catch fire. The recall includes 1,491 cars.
Under the recall Lamborghini dealers will update the power steering system free of charge. The recall is expected to begin this month.
Driver’s Seat is a blog featuring news, views, and advice about cars, auto safety, driving, and transportation. Driver’s Seat is written by Jonathan Welsh with contributions from auto critic Dan Neil, columnist Joe White and Wall Street Journal staffers and others.


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Ever wonder what goes into the creation and rollout of an Android software update? Well I've got some good news for you, my inquisitive friend, because today HTC has posted a handy infographic that explains the process of updating Android hardware.
The diagram includes the steps for carrier-branded hardware as well as unlocked models and Google Play edition products. Unsurprisingly, the carrier-specific units require the most steps at 12 total, which is the result of HTC working with operators to figure out which apps and modifications need to be included and then actually incorporating those additions. The process of updating an unlocked device requires 9 steps, 1 more than the Google Play edition products, due to HTC's inclusion of its custom Sense user interface.
After going over the general Android update process, HTC touches on the status of the Android 4.4 KitKat updates for the U.S. carrier-branded variants of the One. HTC says that all four models are currently in the "Integration" stage, which is halfway through the process. The Taiwanese company has previously said that those four One models are expected to receive their Android 4.4 updates before the end of January.
This new infographic is the latest step in HTC's recent efforts to keep its customers more in the loop about Android software updates. The firm has been doing a pretty good job lately when it comes to sharing update details and rollout estimates with its users, and it's nice to see HTC continue to be so open about its efforts to update the One and some of its other hardware. If you'd like to peruse the infographic yourself and get a bit more educated while waiting for you device's next update to arrive, you can check it out by hitting up the HTC link below.


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Cardano has announced that it will be joining Global Digital Finance in order to collaborate with major market players in forming comprehensive crypto regulation guidelines for multiple jurisdictions across the world.
Global Digital Finance, also known as GDF is a UK-based organization which aims to enforce a strict code of conduct across the world when it comes to the sale and distribution of digital tokens or the regulation of said digital tokens.
It also acts as a reviewer and a safety insurer, rating the websites and business models of its member companies and providing more transparency overall.
The GDF will be attending the upcoming Barcelona Trading Conference which will touch on some of the most pressing issues in the cryptocurrency sphere.
Cardano representatives are sure to collaborate in the formation of guidelines for global crypto regulation, which the organization will be presenting at the conference.
The involvement of major market players in such large organizations and the discussions about the legality of crypto distribution is always positive news.
Having representatives of Cardano suggest the best ways of enforcing and maintaining a crypto regulatory framework is sure to provide a whole slew of insight to governments currently unaware of the blockchain‘s details.
Cardano is not only aiming to be a market maker, but also take part in forming legislation, which will most likely benefit the crypto industry, should their suggestions be realistic.


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PUBG which has been banned on 2nd September along with 117 other apps might have another chance of coming back to the country because of Jio.
The PUBG Corporation is currently in talks with Jio Corp. to facilitate a deal that will help bring the ever-popular game back once again.
The problem that was raised by the Indian Government stated that the game was involved in activities that were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defense, and security of the country.
It was also seen as a digital strike aimed towards China. The reason being that the game’s primary distributor was Tencent, which is a China-based company.
And India being one of the primary markets for PUBG as of now, the PUBG Corp. broke off from their partnership with Tencent for their Indian operation soon after the ban.
Currently, they are on the lookout for a new distributor and according to the reports from Hindu Business Line, are in talks with Jio for the same.
We all have seen that Jio is one such company that never misses on any forthcoming opportunity for growth. Which is the reason for us to believe that if that’s true then, PUBG might have very strong chances of coming back.
The large market which has been open and empty after the ban of PUBG has not been tended as of yet. And bringing back ever popular game would be like access to the Goldmine without much effort, from a new partner’s front ergo Jio.
We’ve had claims that apps such as Akshay Kumar’s backed FAUG might become the new attraction for this market of 50 Million users. But it’s still in development and the chances of it overthrowing PUBG stardom’s so soon are very slim.
So, if PUBG might make a comeback soon, this gap might be closed. But would be very heavy on those developers who were looking to become a PUBG alternative.


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Apple events didn’t use to be like this. Details were tightly kept secrets. The products were truly revolutionary.
Steve Jobs would step onto the stage, clad in jeans and blackturtle neck, and tell you how he was about to change the world. You would listen and nod mostly because it was true. The iPhone was a revolutionary invention. The App Store was a revolutionary invention (Can you remember the world before apps?). Hell, even the iPad, originally mocked for its simplistic self-indulgence, somehow managed to be a pretty incredible piece of hardware.
But times have changed. Apple confirmed today’s event only last week. Yet it seemed like anyone who wanted to know what to expect could easily find out. Rumours and leaks abounded. A YouTube video of popular vlogger stress testing the new 6s came out in a couple week ago and has been viewed almost two million times.
Leaks are rampant and are surely a key part in the media build up prior to these events. We’re desperate for content and Apple is happy to oblige.
The Cupertino company has traded actual innovation for hype and spectacle. In their invite to today’s event, Apple instructed guests to ask Siri for a hint. The personal assistant would then reply with a cheeky quip, one of her classic non-answers. Cute – delightful, even, in the parlance of Silicon Valley – but ultimately meaningless.
The Apple Watch is another example of this. While the iPhone solved a problem we didn’t know existed, the Apple Watch has accomplished little. Like Google Glass, what function does it serve other than as a nonverbal cue that you might be a douche?
Consider today’s announcements. Here’s a breakdown of what Apple unveiled:
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- New 3D Touch pressure sensitive display
- 700-Series aluminum body
- Ion-X glass, not Sapphire
- New Rose Gold colour option
- Camera capable of shooting 4k video
- Always-on “Hey Siri” listening functionality
- 12.9” retina display
- New A9X processor
- 10 hours of battery life
- Accessories will include detachable keyboard cover and stylus (!) called Apple Pencil
Apple Watch OS 2
- Watch OS 2 available September 16th
- New native third-party apps, new third-party watch face complications, system performance upgrades
- New watch bands from Hermes
- New Siri-enabled voice controls
- Redesigned OS places focus on content rather than networks or channels
- Open access for third party developers will create Apple TV App Store
- New gaming platform, with cross device continuity
Of today’s announcements, only the Apple TV represents any significant step forward for any of the product lines. The platform itself has always been Apple’s ugly step-child in many ways. Rumours have persisted of efforts within the company to build out this side of the business, and today looks like Apple is finally following through. Obviously better apps will lead to a better user experience. Google though has had these capabilities for several years now and has yet to find much success with their own TV product.
Today’s event was maybe Apple’s largest ever. The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, a first for Apple, has a capacity of 7, 000 people, an order of magnitude larger than the typical venue on the company’s campus in Cupertino. This change seemed to signal something monumental was coming.
What we got however was a bevy of minor unveilings, impressive if only for the sheer number of them.
Yes, at today’s event we saw the next stage of a larger transition the company is undergoing, from an electronics manufacturer to content creator, which surely will please investors.
As consumers though, we listen and nod, but does it really matter?


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Digital TV News: KP Sreekumar
NOS and Tata Elxsi open Digital Centre of Excellence
Sep 12, 2018 – NOS and Tata Elxsi have announced the launch a Digital Centre of Excellence (CoE). The centre will focus on digital transformation initiatives that are geared to deliver next generation services, enhance subscriber experience, and improve operational efficiency.
News categories: Tata Elxsi, NOS, KP Sreekumar, Pedro Bandeira, Broadband, Digital TV, IBC2019, IPTV, Portugal, RDK
Tata Elxsi and V-Nova partner to provide end-to-end video delivery
Aug 30, 2017 – V-Nova and Tata Elxsi have announced a partnership that enables operators to deploy V-Nova PERSEUS technology at an accelerated pace. Tata Elxsi has already integrated V-Nova's technology within the set-top-box of a satellite TV operator in Europe.
News categories: V-Nova, Tata Elxsi, Guido Meardi, KP Sreekumar, Content Distribution, Digital TV, IBC2019, Media Player, Set Top Box, Worldwide
Tata Elxsi and Portugal's NOS partner to accelerate RDK deployment
Feb 22, 2017 – Tata Elxsi has announced that it has partnered with NOS to accelerate RDK deployment by leveraging Tata Elxsi’s deep expertise and off-the-shelf solutions for RDK rollout.
News categories: Tata Elxsi, NOS, KP Sreekumar, Pedro Bandeira, Digital TV, Portugal, RDK, Set Top Box
- Roku OS 9.2 to begin rollout
- Roku announces new streaming player line-up for UK
- Eros Now to develop online video platform with Microsoft
- FourthWall Media introduces Reveal 5 TV analytics and optimization platform
- Hearst Television moves to impressions-based selling of Local TV ad inventory
- Roku releases U.S. cord-cutting study
- Facebook introduces Portal TV set-top box
- CTA launches 8K Ultra HD logo program
- SVOD subscriptions soar by 38% in 2018
- Subscriptions now account for nearly 86% of US internet TV and movie spending
- NBCUniversal streaming service to be called 'Peacock'
- Vizio adds additional Alexa capabilities to SmartCast TVs
- LIWEST latest Austrian operator to deploy IPTV with Verimatrix and Ocilion
- Channel 4 to use Sky's AdSmart technology
- TV penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa still low
- Amazon Prime Video to be made available on Altice One
- NEOTION renews partnership with Irdeto
- Online video viewing to reach 100 minutes a day in 2021
- Irdeto secures Airtel Xstream 4K set-top box
- Netgem and Sharp release smart soundbar for telcos


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Viewsonic is planning to launch its first WiMax tablet in the country. The tablet will be a 7 inch Android Honeycomb device.
WiMax is a 4G technology that is faster than current 3G networks. Currently, BSNL offers this service on a large scale, but 4G services are likely to be launched by operators like Airtel, Aircel, Tikona and Reliance Infotel later this year or early next year. Whether these operators will go for WiMax or LTE, among the two 4G technology options, is not yet known though.
While talking to ‘The Mobile Indian’, Ajay Sharma, country manager of Viewsonic India, said, “We will launch a 7 inch Android Honeycomb tablet this Diwali, and this will be our first tablet with WiMax network support. It will be a very important launch for us as the country prepares to usher the 4G era.”
The tablet by Viewsonic is likely to be the same as shown earlier at Computex in Taipei (a trade fair), which was a light weight tablet weighing a meagre 380 grams. The device is likely to have at least a 1 GHz Tegra 2 processor, a pair of cameras, and USB, HDMI output etc. It is expected to be priced between Rs 30,000-35,000.
The 4G spectrum auction was held soon after the 3G auction and operators have had spectrum since September 2010. They have, however, been silent about their plans on the choice of technology (WiMax or LTE) and the potential launch date of services.
We earlier said that Reliance Infotel, the only service provider to have a pan-India spectrum license, is likely to launch services using WiMax technology. If that happens, this tablet will make a lot of sense to users as well as to the operator.


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A new teaser has just been released by the official Mortal Kombat Twitter account and Mortal Kombat co-creator, Ed Boon. Fans of the franchise are excitedly speculating that this could be the announcement for Mortal Kombat 12, or even a reboot of the entire franchise. The teaser video shows a clock that counts up from nine to eleven, but when it hits twelve, the hour-hand jumps straight to one. This could potentially mean a reset of the Mortal Kombat timeline, but until more details are released, fans will just have to keep guessing.
The latest game in the series:
Mortal Kombat 11 was released in 2019, and in the game’s story mode, Kronika, the elder god of time, tries to create a new reality. However, Fire God Liu Kang ultimately foils her plan, takes control of Kronika’s hourglass, and uses it to forge a new era for the Mortal Kombat universe. After defeating Shang Tsung, Kang creates a new timeline and travels back in time to train Kung Lao’s ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, for the Mortal Kombat tournaments in the upcoming games.
A reboot of the franchise?
The teaser video could potentially be hinting at a complete reset of the Mortal Kombat timeline, rather than just another sequel. This would be in keeping with the end of Mortal Kombat 11, which saw Kang create a new timeline where certain events and characters are different.
Other hints of a new game:
This isn’t the first time fans have garnered hints of a new Mortal Kombat game. A recent video celebrating 30 years of the franchise may have also hidden a potential Easter egg. Furthermore, CEO David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery mentioned casually during a Q1 2023 earnings call that a new Mortal Kombat game is aiming for a 2023 release date.
Other fighting games on the horizon:
Fighting game fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming months and years. Capcom is set to release Street Fighter 6 in June, and Bandai Namco continues development on Tekken 8. Additionally, Mortal Kombat could soon be returning to theaters, with rumors circulating that Karl Urban may join the cast as Johnny Cage, alongside other returning faces from the 2021 film.
In conclusion, the teaser video released by the official Mortal Kombat Twitter account and Mortal Kombat co-creator, Ed Boon, has fans excited at the possibility of Mortal Kombat 12 or a franchise reboot. While more details are needed before anything can be confirmed, the clock motif in the teaser video is certainly intriguing and hints at some kind of time manipulation or timeline reset. With a new Mortal Kombat game potentially coming out in just a couple of years, fans can’t wait to see what NetherRealm has in store for them.


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W-2 Phishing Scams Threaten Tax Refunds and Financial Security
As we approach the final weeks before the April 17, 2018 tax filing deadline (the traditional deadline, April 15, falls on a Sunday this year and April 16 is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia), taxpayers need to remain vigilant. Criminals will take every opportunity to commit fraud and tax scams using stolen data or information leaked in one of many data breaches. In some cases, waiting until the last minute can make you more vulnerable.
Tax fraud and tax scams
Nuvision previously wrote about how tax scams can target individual tax filers. But other attempts at fraud target employers and tax preparers in what’s known as W-2 spear phishing attacks – and the IRS warns that such fraud is on the rise. In fact, the IRS said that W-2 scams represent, “one of the most dangerous phishing emails in the tax community.”
W-2 spear phishing involves attempts by criminals to send a bogus email that appears to come from a company executive. Accounting Today says that “Cybercriminals pinpoint chief operating officer [sic], school executives or others in authority.” The fraudulent email will be sent to employees in human resources or payroll departments and will include a request to provide IRS form W-2 information. Because the email appears to be legitimate, employees can be fooled into sending the requested information, which is then used to commit tax-related identity theft.
It’s happening all over the country. In a recent example, the Los Angeles Philharmonic was victimized by a W-2 spear phishing scam. The cybercriminals obtained the W-2 information for everyone who worked for the organization in 2017. In another Southern California case, a man from Canoga Park was sentenced last week to 52 months in federal prison for tax-related wire fraud and identity theft. The man filed more than 340 false tax returns on behalf of unsuspecting victims and collected more than $740,00 in bogus tax refunds from the federal and California state governments.
Credit Union Times reported that W-2 scams will get worse and more frequent for three reasons:
- Criminals have had success in the recent past, which encourages them to try more;
- It requires minimal investment of time and money to commit W-2 spear phishing scams; and
- Targeting large organizations, such as government, public schools and universities, can yield information on hundreds, if not thousands, of potential victims.
In a separate article, Credit Union Times reported that “W-2 phishing emails increased 870 percent from 2016 to 2017.” By comparison, a survey by IdentityForce, which provides identity theft protection software to consumers, businesses, organizations and government agencies, found only a 30 percent increase from 2016 to 2017 in individuals who reported identity theft due to tax fraud.
Protect yourself from tax-related identity theft
A blog post by the online password protection service, LastPass, recently offered six ways to protect yourself this tax season. The tips included:
- Learn how to identify common signs of illegitimate emails and how to avoid phishing scams.
- Avoid vishing, the phone call version of email phishing. The IRS says it, “doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.”
- Be judicious in your use of public Wi-Fi network, and do not use it while doing your taxes or accessing any sensitive financial data or personal information.
- Create strong, unique passwords for every online account.
- Look at your credit card and bank statements. They track and record every transaction and payment. Read them. You can access your Nuvision online statements here.
- Buy an inexpensive paper shredder and use it for credit card statements, bank statements, and any other documents that contain personal or financial information.
What you should do if you become a victim of tax-related identity theft
The IRS says that if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, you must still pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper. In addition:
- File a complaint with the FTC at www.identitytheft.gov.
- Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records:
- Contact your financial institutions and close any financial or credit accounts opened without your permission or tampered with by identity thieves.
For Nuvision members, you can reach us at 800-444-6327 or on our feedback page.
The Identity Theft Resource Center® also has a list of resources, including identity theft fact sheets, solutions, and letter forms, available on its website. The Federal Trade Commission also has consumer information at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0008-tax-related-identity-theft.
To stay on top of Nuvision alerts and information related to the risks of fraud and identity theft, financial and data protection, and cybersecurity, check our Fraud Protection blog or follow Nuvision on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates when new articles are published.


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Just a few days after unveiling the BlackBerry Passport, the parents in Waterloo have one other announcement to make: their Q2 FY15 outcomes.
BlackBerry reports that in Q2 FY15, it bought round 2.1 million smartphones. Meanwhile, roughly 2.4 million BlackBerry telephones have been bought to finish clients, which incorporates units that have been shipped earlier than the beginning of Q2 FY15. BlackBerry additionally says that it’s now obtained ninety one million month-to-month lively BBM customers, up from eighty five million in Q1 FY15.
On the monetary aspect of issues, BlackBerry pulled in a income of $916 million for the quarter. It additionally recorded a internet lack of $207 million, which is an enchancment from the $965 million loss that hit BlackBerry in Q2 FY14.
Finally, BlackBerry CEO John Chen reports that the BlackBerry Passport has had 200,000 orders because it went on sale Wednesday. That’s not dangerous contemplating BlackBerry’s current gross sales numbers, and it’ll be fascinating to see if the BlackBerry Classic and its extra conventional BlackBerry type issue can carry out even higher when it launches later this year.
As standard, I’m listening in to BlackBerry’s Q2 FY15 earnings name, and I’ll make sure you replace you with another juicy tidbits of information that John Chen and Co. need to share.
Have any of you ordered a BlackBerry Passport?


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Here’s today’s AdExchanger.com news round-up… Want it by email? Sign up here.
Viacom Nabs Pluto
Viacom will acquire free, ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV for $340 million. The standalone app, which reaches 12 million monthly users primarily on connected TVs, will give Viacom a new audience to sell and a distribution channel for its content library. It’s a notably different streaming model than the subscription video bets being made by Netflix, Amazon Prime and the skinny bundle crowd. “(W)e see significant white space in the ad-supported streaming market and are excited to work with the talented Pluto TV team, and a broad range of Viacom partners, to accelerate its growth in the U.S. and all over the world,” Viacom CEO Bob Bakish said in a statement. Axios has more.
Netflix’s Promo Power
Netflix has flexed its promotional skills lately, spiking the football after it released the movie “Bird Box” and now showing it can turn a floundering cable show into a streaming hit practically overnight. At least that’s what happened to the Lifetime drama “You,” which was cancelled after bringing in meager ratings in the fall of 2018. But since the show began streaming on Netflix on Dec. 26, it’s drawn in more than 40 million accounts. Many viewers, younger ones especially, have no idea the show wasn’t a Netflix Original, the show’s producer, Greg Berlanti, tells The New York Times. “It went from being one of the least-watched shows I’ve ever worked on and been most proud of – and I’m choosing to take Netflix at their word on this – to being the most-watched show I’ve ever worked on in twenty-something years of being in the business,” he says. Netflix will begin production on a second season of “You” next month. More.
Mastercard introduced a new service to oversee free trial subscription offers, which are “becoming the new norm” for ecommerce merchants, according to a company blog post. With the new policy, brands must now re-engage the cardholder and get approval or Mastercard will nix the subscription after the trial period. The new credit card feature only applies to physical goods, like skincare or beauty products, so shouldn’t be an impediment to media subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu or a news publisher, Cord Cutters News reports. More. Subscription auto-enrollments have been a marketing fixture for generations, but DTC brands and online performance marketing have pushed it to the point where credit card companies can pitch themselves as subscription auditors.
Dreaming Of Streaming
Big digital publishers are creating more video and seeking new distribution channels. Vox Entertainment will triple its production this spring, Digiday reports. And BuzzFeed Studios is out pitching streaming and broadcast distributors. Can they compete with entrenched Hollywood players? “I don’t see Netflix and other major television networks being slate customers for new media companies anytime soon,” says Peter Csathy, founder of Creatv Media. But even a small licensing deal with a major distributor can translate into a sizable revenue stream. At a minimum, these media companies can expect to gain some fees for “first look” rights. More.
But Wait, There’s More!
- A Surge Of States Take On Data Privacy – The Information
- Shouldn’t We All Have Seamless Micropayments By Now? – Wired
- Adjust To Acquire Cyber Security Company Unbotify – release
- Netflix Flexes – Stratechery
- Pepperjam Launches Affiliate Lifecycle Marketing Platform – release
- Before Scale, Addressable TV Finds Its Place – Beet.TV
- Did Australia Poke A Hole In Your iPhone’s Security? – NYT
- Pandora’s AdsWizz Launches Ad Accreditation Program – release
- Google Considering Pulling News Service From Europe – Bloomberg
- How Marketers Are Altering TV Attribution Strategies – eMarketer
- Mastercard Fined $653M By EU For Competition Breach – BBC


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2nd March 2017
InXpress have just been announced as finalists for the bfa HSBC Brand Innovation of the Year Award. This is an extremely prestigious accolade and InXpress are proud that the continuous development of their franchise operation has been recognised by such an important industry body.
The Brand Innovation award showcases franchisors who continuously identify opportunities for franchisees to develop their businesses and operate to maximum efficiency. These franchisors find new markets for their franchisees and recognise that continuous innovation is key to their success as a whole.
InXpress’ most recent development to their online shipping tool – WebShip – has amongst other things, opened up a new market for franchisees as it can now integrate with many e-commerce stores including Amazon, eBay and Magento.
Melanie Spencer, Global Head of Marketing at InXpress, explains:
"We work extremely hard to make sure our franchisees have everything they need to succeed, so to be recognised by the bfa is testament to the on-going hard work of the team at Head Office. In the shipping sector, technology and market demand has changed so much over the last few years, so it’s even more important that we always strive to stay ahead. Our franchisees need to keep up with technology and we want them to have access to as many customers in as many sectors and industries as possible."
InXpress is one of the world’s largest franchisors of worldwide express parcel delivery and transportation services. They are the number one reseller of express courier services offering solutions for internal and domestic express services. Franchisees offer express, freight and mail services through world-class carriers that customers know and trust. InXpress gives those with business or management experience the chance to develop their existing skillsets to build scalable and flexible businesses with high earning potential.
10th January 2018
From supplying the demands of InXpress, to meeting the demands of a growing franchise network, new MD Jon White, has exciting plans for a New Year, and a new season.
17th November 2017
InXpress releases a new advert highlighting the multiple ways franchisees offer excellent service and value to their customers.
10th November 2017
On Friday 10th November InXpress released their brand new advert worldwide.
18th August 2017
Neena Gupta uses her work experience with InXpress as a business mentor to young people.
7th August 2017
InXpress have been named winners of the bfa HSBC Brand Innovation award at the 2017 Awards event.
1st June 2017
The InXpress convention shines its light on past achievements, present inspirations and future goals.
25th April 2017
Craig Atkins, franchise owner of InXpress Reading, completed the Manchester Marathon on Sunday 2nd April.
20th March 2017
The overriding reason that customers are turning to InXpress for their shipping requirements is all about the overall service that is provided.
I chose to franchise with InXpress because it’s like someone’s got their arm around you. I also liked the fact that you didn’t need a lot to run the business. You can run it from home, an office or anywhere in the world as long as you’ve got an internet connection.Kully Sahota, Peterborough franchisee since October 2012
I’ve known about franchising for quite a while and I’m reassured by the fact that 95% of franchisees are still in business after 5 years. New businesses often fail before the initial five years.Bill Carter, Liverpool franchisee since 2008
With InXpress you don’t buy or sell stock so the business has low overheads and you don’t lose money on damaged stock. You’re selling the services of world branded products and it’s much easier to sell DHL services than white van. E-commerce is booming at the moment because more and more people are now buying online.Craig Atkins, Reading franchisee since 2007
High income potential
Low entry cost
No inventory, no warehousing, minimum overheads


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The Times group is going to announce their new rate card. It will be called Maximizer. The new tariff system will take effect from September 15, 2002. The new system promises to be substantially different from its predecessor. There will also be a rate-hike bundled into it. The hike comes close on the heals of a ‘new international look’ that shrunk the space for advertisers, and thus giving less for the same money. The savings accruing to the group on the newsprint costs, thanks to the shrunk space, is not insignificant. It is rumoured to be over 15% of their newsprint budget. In the newspaper business, newsprint accounts for, on an average, over 75% of the total costs.
Pradeep Guha, President at the Times Group, wasn’t in a mood to reveal much. He said, “The new rate card is going to be launched shortly. Master Mind - the current Rate Card, was launched in 1993-94. It’s been 8 years since and there is a definite need for a revised rate card, which is more customer friendly. Hence, the launch of the new more contemporary rate card - Maximizer. Maximizer is more contemporary; responds to markets more effectively; satisfies basic needs of media planners; built to create a lot more options for media planners; is more customer friendly.”
The rate-hike is likely to be close to 10-12% for the Black & White ads and about 20% for colour at the base rate for leading vehicles like ToI and ET. Relatively laggards like Maharashtra Times, Sandhya Times and Nav Bharat Times are likely to go up in single digit percentage, if at all. Magazines, owing to declining circulations, do not have much scope for a hike.
Mastermind, the current system, served the group very well. Not just the group, some feel it was instrumental in bringing to the marketplace a whole new way to sell. The earliest version of the Mastermind was unveiled in 1986. Those days, Delhi edition of ToI was but a distant second. Likewise, there were other not-so-hot media vehicles too in the group. Mastermind made Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jaipur and Patna editions of ToI, Nav Bharat Times and Maharashtra Times reasonably cost-efficient add-ons.
Marketplace started off on a new vocabulary. The cheese came thinly disguised in the system of Solo, Multiple, Super, Slam,… Initially, what looked like a maze to the buyers and advertisers became a format that other media groups cloned. The ad-volume grew. Revenues also grew leaps and bounds. With over a thousand crores in total revenues, today, Times group has garnered, arguably, over a quarter of the ad-pie in the Print medium.
Maximizer seeks to move the cheese to a new location, as it were. The emphasis is not so much on adding on newer publications alone. It is likely to reward those who consume more space. So, the more insertions you buy, lesser the rate you’ll pay at. In jargonese, if Mastermind built ‘width’, Maximizer will build ‘depth’. Since, the information is not forthcoming, a bit of benign speculation is in order. The rate-card must address the issue of volume-incentive seriously. If it is based on a mere number of insertions, then someone placing 10 ads of ‘5x1’ will get a much lower rate than someone placing a half-page. That will be unfair. This is a reasonable fear because the “series-incentives” as they prevail in ToI city-supplements suffer from this lacuna. There is also a likelihood of linkages between the City-Supplements and the main edition but confined to the ‘national advertisers’ only. Retail-rate may still remain stand-alone. There is more but, it will be a wee bit unfair to steal all the thunder from a yet-to-be-launched move. So, one hopes it turns to be yet another masterstroke that its illustrious predecessor was.


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BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 8, 2019 — Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced today that Brett Biggs, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will participate in a discussion at the Stephens 2019 Nashville Investment Conference on Friday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. EST. The session will be webcast live through the “Events” link at www.stock.walmart.com. A transcript of the session will be available after the event and will be archived on the company’s website.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.


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The rumor of an Apple-branded television set might be dead and buried, but investor Carl Icahn still thinks the idea can be resurrected. Citing people “familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Apple shelved its plans to make a television set more than a year ago, after nearly a decade of research.
During its research phase, Apple was reportedly trying to find ways to make its own television set stand out in a fiercely competitive market. Cupertino looked into using the premium high definition display technology, 4K, as well as incorporating sensor-equipped cameras to enable video calls through the set.
None of that was compelling enough, though, for Apple executives to decide to enter the television market, a niche that is highly competitive and is already led by Samsung Electronics. Investor Carl Icahn believes the Apple-branded television set is still on the horizon, though, expecting Apple to start selling 55-inch and 65-inch sets next year. Mr. Icahn wrote to Apple chief executive Tim Cook, “We view television’s role in the living room as a strategically compelling bolt-on to the Apple ecosystem.”
It’s true that Apple has long held an interest in the television market. When iTunes branched into video in the middle of the last decade, Apple began thinking about making TVs and ultimate launched the Apple TV set top box in 2007. Biographer Walter Isaacson posthumously quoted Steve Jobs as saying that he had “finally cracked” the user interface for a TV, and Tim Cook was quoted in 2013 saying that Apple had a “grand vision” for the television.
None of that means that Apple is still looking to develop a full blown television set, though. Recently, Apple has been focused on creating its own streaming television service and redesigning the Apple TV box. Cupertino managed to ink a deal with Time Warner’s premium cable channel that allowed Apple owners to be among the first to take part in the launch of HBO Now.
Carl Icahn might think that Apple will release a new TV set in 2016, but I think it much more likely for Cupertino to focus instead on streaming services and accessory hardware like set top boxes. If the redesigned Apple TV gets its own App Store and the streaming television service, the Cupertino-based tech giant will likely see much more success and revenue than it would in the cutthroat television set business.


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China Chamber of Commerce pledges to curtail substandard goods’ inflow
The China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria CCCN, has said the association will partner the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON in its renewed efforts rid the country of the importation of substandard goods from Asia, especially China.
President of the association Ye Shuijin, who spoke in Abuja, however claimed that most of the substandard products were not made in China.
He therefore pledged that the chamber will do everything within its powers to ensure that the massive influx of substandard goods into the country was curtailed.
According to him, the association holds meetings regularly with its Nigerian counterpart on how to improve legitimate trade between Nigeria and Chine.
“Most of the substandard products that came to Nigeria are not from China because Chinese government has well structured standards in place for its products.
“China products are of high quality, nonetheless, Chinese government is already cooperating with the Nigerian government to promote importation of quality products to Nigeria”, he said.
He disclosed that there were over 150 Chinese companies operating in different sectors of Nigeria, adding that his association encourages companies to go into manufacturing.
Shuijin however urged officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service to redouble their efforts in checking the influx of substandard products into the country through the seaports and land borders.
He also argued that there was the need to properly guide importers and exporters so that they will always comply with relevant trade laws and regulations.
It was however gathered that SON, Nigeria’s apex standards regulatory bureau and the chamber are currently putting some measures in place to check importation of substandard goods into the country.
SON had over the years taken steps to sensitise Nigerian businessmen on the need to shun importation of substandard goods from Asia, especially China, which has devastating effects on Nigeria’s economy.
It was these sensitisation programmes that led to the discovery of a warehouse in Lagos owned by Chinese nationals dedicated for the importation and recycling of used and substandard tyres.


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SAN JOSE, Calif. (CBS.MW) -- Xilinx modestly surpassed financial targets for its fiscal second quarter late Thursday and said third-quarter sales are expected to be flat to up 3 percent.
The maker of programmable microchips reported second-quarter net income of $38.7 million, or 11 cents a share, on revenue of $277.9 million.
According to a statement, Xilinx said weakness in the communications and storage sectors was partially offset by strength in the consumer and industrial categories.
During the same quarter last year, Xilinx lost $176 million, or 53 cents a share, on revenue of $224.6 million.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call expected earnings of 10 cents a share on revenue of $274.8 million, on average.
For the third quarter, Xilinx said it expects sales between $278 million and $285 million with a gross margin of 59 percent.
Ahead of that outlook, analysts had expected third-quarter revenue of $286 million and earnings of 12 cents a share.
Xilinx did not provide an earnings target.


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Canada to turn to bilateral agreements after WTO trade talks collapse
By Canadian PoultryFeatures Business & Policy Trade
July 30, 2008, Ottawa, Ont. — Canada will move aggressively to
negotiate individual country-to-country trade deals to protect its
economic interests amid an abrupt collapse of global talks in Geneva,
Trade Minister Michael Fortier said.
July 30, 2008, Ottawa, Ont. — Canada will move aggressively to negotiate individual country-to-country trade deals to protect its economic interests amid an abrupt collapse of global talks in Geneva, Trade Minister Michael Fortier said.
Canada would be at the table whenever talks resume, but is not waiting for a multi-national agreement, Fortier said.
"We are a trading nation. We depend on the ability for exporters to access markets worldwide and in particular markets in emerging and developing economies," he said in a conference call from Geneva.
Fortier is most interested in reaching agreement with countries in the Americas, noting recent successful talks with Peru and Colombia, as well as in emerging markets such as China and India.
Canada has free trade agreements in place with the United States, Mexico and Chile. It has recently negotiated an agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and is seeking deals with South Korea and Europe, among others.
But the Canadian Chamber of Commerce questioned whether the country could get the same concessions from other countries in bilateral agreements that could have been won at the WTO.
"We had a real potential to see some significant gains in (exports) in agriculture and services and some limited gains in tariffs, and now all of that is off the table," said Shirley-Anne George, the chamber's head of policy.
"This is not good for Canada because we don't have the economic might to force what we need in bilaterals the way the U.S. and Europe does."
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance has estimated that a breakthrough in the agricultural sector of the talks, known as the Doha development round, could potentially mean $3 billion in additional exports for Canadian farmers.
The farm trade alliance said in a statement Tuesday that a new deal was needed "not just to increase our access to world markets, but to maintain what we got."
But the bigger losers, said trade alliance president Darcy Davis, are the world's poor countries, which stood to gain greater access for their farm exports into the developed world, and protection from subsidized imports from countries such as the United States and Europe.
"This is the development round," he explained in a telephone interview from Geneva. "This was supposed to bring trade and lots of good things for developing countries. If we can get rid of export subsidies that hamper the ability of subsistence farmers to make a living, that would have been good."
Fortier and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz were cautiously optimistic WTO chief Pascal Lamy could kick start a resumption of talks soon, but they admitted there were obstacles.
Ritz said several countries were entering election cycles, which could mean some of the players at the table in Geneva in the past nine days will likely not return.
As well, although some progress was achieved, the hurdles remain "significant."
Officials in Geneva said talks broke down over a demand by developing countries, particularly China and India, to unilaterally impose higher emergency import tariffs to protect domestic farmers against cheap imports.
The United States and several other industrialized countries opposed the measure.
The failure of the Geneva talks does not mean the Doha round has ended, nor that the trading rules have changed from the status quo – although some analysts speculated it could give rise to protectionist pressures.
Canada was criticized in some quarters for entering the talks seeking to protect its supply-managed dairy and poultry sector, which impose tariffs as high as 298 per cent on over-quota imports, while urging other countries reduce subsidies and export tariffs on a wide range of agricultural products.
Fortier and Ritz defended the position, saying many countries also insisted on sheltering their sensitive sectors.
"No one was there without something in their hip pocket that they were asking for," said Ritz, adding that the talks failed before the issue could be seriously discussed.
But George said that Canada was likely excluded from the group of seven countries doing the heavy work in the negotiations because of its decision to bring a "status quo" negotiating stance.
"Our position was divided at best," Davis agreed. "I'd like to see Canada take a singular approach where we are pro trade and work toward a more liberalized trade environment for the world."
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text: Pseudo-model Chrissie Chau Sau-na and other 'famous celebrities' have been banned from appearing at stalls of this year's comics fair to avoid chaos. That's according to the organiser of Ani-com, the annual animation, comics and games event. Big names will be allowed to appear only on a main stage for organised activities. Chau (pictured) is the hardest hit under the organiser's edict - she was supposed to attend a game demonstration for the Xbox 360 and promote an online game, but the two exhibitors involved were told on Monday night that Chau would not be able to participate. The organiser stressed that the ban was not because Chau is a pseudo-model, or lang mo in Cantonese. Rather, her celebrity status was behind the decision, as the organiser tries to keep order among the thousands of fans who will attend - a practice it says has been in place for years. Exhibitors said it was the first time they had been banned from using big names. The organiser said pseudo-models were welcome at the event - its Ani-com 'goddesses' include the pseudo-model 'Donut Girls'. Chau said she was grateful to be seen as a star instead of a pseudo-model. 'During the book fair, I was called a 'young pseudo-model' at the age of 25. In just a few days, Ani-com has made me a celebrity,' she said. Both Chau and Jessica C. have been banned from attending a demonstration session for Kinect - the Xbox 360's controller-free, motion-sensing game interface - which will go on sale in September and make its Asian debut at the event. The ban has created a headache for Microsoft's director of entertainment and devices, Chester Wong Kui-tim. 'Ani-com is of a different nature to the Book Fair and the models would not have had their pictures taken with fans ... they were supposed to just play games on the stage - and they wouldn't be dressed sexily,' Wong said. The event - which begins on Friday and will run until August 3 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre - will be the biggest ever, with 150 exhibitors and 506 stalls. The ticket price will also go up from last year's HK$25 to HK$28. More than 50 people are already queuing in a bid to secure the limited edition figures on sale at the event. At least 10 of the early birds are seeking Little Fighter Online figures, which will be given to the first three shoppers at U1 Digital Entertainment Group's stall, its president, Oscar Chu Chung-ho, said. He put the figures' market value at up to HK$3,000. There are plenty more reasons for young gamers to queue. The first three gamers to arrive at the Microsoft stall will be given a token that guarantees their purchase of the Kinect when it goes on sale. The first 20 to show up at Gamania Digital Entertainment's stall will gain entry to a 'hugging event', giving them the chance to hug Da Yuan, a Taiwanese host. 'She's a favourite among Taiwanese otaku,' Gameone general manager, Sze Ling-ling, said. Capsule toys will also be a focus - 30 types will be priced at HK$1, Bandai distributor Daniel & Co said.


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|Thomas Scott Collection of Classic American Automobiles to be On Offer at No Reserve at Russo and Steele's 2015 Monterey Collector Automobile Auction Event|
Scottsdale, Arizona (July 18th, 2015) – Thomas Scott is an accountant and entrepreneur from Athens, Georgia who has had a love for all things automotive for as long as he can remember. He possesses a lifetime of passion for buying, selling and working on classic American cars.
'I started out with the muscle cars — the Mopars, the Cobra Jet Mustang, the Chevelle,' Scott says. 'Those are cars that everybody recognizes — they're widely popular and very tradeable.' However, as S...[Read more...]|
|INAUGURAL MECUM DENVER COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION EXCEEDS $12 MILLION IN SALES|
|• 396 Cars Hammer Sold in Just Two Days Before a Standing-Room-Only Crowd|
WALWORTH, Wis. – July 1, 2015 – Mecum Auctions' first-ever Denver-area auction brought enthusiasts flocking to the Colorado Convention Center leading to standing-room-only crowds both days, June 26-27. With 396 cars sold, a 66-percent sell-through rate was achieved and overall sales totals reached $12,003,418.
'We were excited to bring the Mecum Auction action to the Denver area, and the reception fr...[Read more...]
|Rare and Highly Sought After AMC Javelin at Russo and Steele Newport Beach!|
|Scottsdale, Arizona (April 2nd, 2015) – For Enthusiasts – By Enthusiasts.™ Much more than a tagline, it's our lifestyle and it's one that infuses all aspects of our auction events. Fresh off a thrilling, action packed and highly memorable Scottsdale auction event, Russo and Steele looks to move our 15th anniversary celebration into overdrive and keep the pedal to the metal towards the perfectly manicured beaches of one of the foremost lifestyle destinations on earth: Newport Beach, Calif...[Read more...]|
|Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions Kicks Off 15th Anniversary with Eight Initial Offerings to Watch|
Scottsdale, Arizona (December 1st, 2014) – For Enthusiasts – By Enthusiasts. ™ This is far more than a tagline at Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions. It's a lifestyle, and we are gearing up to deliver that singular passion to the High Desert of sunny Scottsdale, Arizona for our annual flagship event during the world renowned collector car week. Additionally, Scottsdale marks the kick-off of the year-long celebration of our 15th anniversary. Held over five thrilling a...[Read more...]|
|Mecum Confirms Theory That Everything Is Bigger In Texas|
|$31.6 Million Total Sales at the Dallas Convention Center, Sept. 5-8
Mecum Auctions completed their second annual Dallas Auction, held September 5-8, 2012, packing over 1,200 vehicles into The Dallas Convention Center and experienced competitive bidding from start to finish throughout the 4-day event. Total sales for the Dallas auction were $31,618,778 and are expected to easily surpass the $32 million mark once the final totals from Bid Goes On sales are factored in later this week.


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What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but new laws in California have sprawling effects outside its borders, which is the case with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) that goes into effect January 1.
“To date, the CCPA is the most comprehensive privacy law enacted in the United States,” according to an article written by attorneys at Portland-based Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt. “Businesses around the world will be responsible for handling the personal information of Californians in accordance with the requirements of the act.”
“The foundation underlying the CCPA is to provide individual consumers with greater transparency and control with regard to how businesses use their personal information,” Schwabe attorneys say. “To that end, the CCPA introduces new rights for individual consumers, heightened compliance requirements for businesses and greater penalties for violations.”
The all-encompassing CCPA, which is similar to consumer privacy regulation already in effect in the European Union, may not be the last word from California. Voters there will decide next fall on an initiative, dubbed CCPA 2.0, that goes even further, creating new rights on the use and sale of sensitive personal information, creating a state agency to enforce provisions, tripling fines for violations of children’s privacy and allowing consumers to sue businesses.
The CCPA applies to for-profit businesses operating in California with annual gross revenues exceeding $25 million that collects and determines the means for processing information for 50,000 or more California consumers for commercial purposes. Businesses that derive 50 percent or more of their annual revenues from selling or disclosing California consumer personal information also must comply.
Personal information is defined by the CCPA as “information that identifies, relates to, describes, is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household.” According to Schwabe, the text of CCPA “provides a list of specific examples of identifiers, categories and other data elements that are or could be considered personal information, depending on the ability to identify an individual or household using the particular data.”
California has been a leader nationally in protecting consumer privacy. Schwabe explains how CCPA expands those protections to include:
- The right to know: Consumers have the right to request details related to the categories and types of personal information being collected about them; the purposes for collection and use of their personal information; and whether, to whom, and why their personal information is disclosed to any third parties;
- The right to deletion: Subject to some exceptions, consumers have the right to request a business to delete the personal information it has collected about them;
- The right to opt out of the sale of their personal information: Consumers have the right to direct a business not to sell their personal information to any third parties;
- The right to access: Consumers have the right to request a copy of the personal information a business has collected about them, or to have it transferred to another entity (this is sometimes referred to as a “data portability” right under other privacy laws, such as the GDPR – the EU data protection regulation); and
- The right of non-discrimination: This is unique to the CCPA, and, subject to limited exceptions, provides that businesses cannot treat a consumer differently in terms of price or service level offer.
“The steps an organization will need to take to comply with the CCPA will depend on how the business handles personal information, as well as the details and processes of its existing privacy program,” Schwabe advises. “Organizations that took steps to comply with the GDPR may already have a privacy program that will enable a relatively seamless integration of CCPA compliance processes.”
One of the most prominent compliance requirements will be posting on a “Do Not Sell My Data” button on their websites.
CCPA will be enforced, at least for now, by the California attorney general, who also is responsible for promulgating regulations. Public hearings are being held this week throughout California on the first draft of those regulations.
Even as CCPA is about ready to go into effect, various groups including Google are lobbying for changes in the California Assembly, such as carving out an exception for digital advertising. The lobbying to water down CCPA provoked Alastair Mactaggart, founder of Californians for Consumer Privacy, to press for an initiative on CCPA 2.0 to protect what he calls a “fundamental human right”.
“In the two years since introducing the legislation that passed as the CCPA, which gives nearly 40 million people in this state the strongest data privacy rights in the country, I’ve realized the immense power consumers are up against when it comes to having true control over their own data,” Mactaggart says. “During this time, two things have happened: First, some of the world’s largest companies have actively and explicitly prioritized weakening the CCPA. Second, technological tools have evolved in ways that exploit a consumer’s data with potentially dangerous consequences. I believe using a consumer’s data in these ways is not only immoral, but it also threatens our democracy.”
Several more states are exploring legislation similar to CCPA. Oregon was the second state to enact legislation requiring manufacturers of internet-connected devices to equip them with reasonable security features. The Oregon Internet of Things law (House Bill 2395) and its somewhat broader California counterpart both go into effect January 1. Attorney General Ellen Rosenbaum has convened a work group to develop a bill like CCPA for consideration in the 2021 Oregon legislative session.


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Verizon: 2Q Earnings Snapshot
NEW YORK (AP) _ Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) on Tuesday reported second-quarter profit of $4.12 billion.
On a per-share basis, the New York-based company said it had profit of $1. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and severance costs, came to $1.20 per share.
The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 20 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.14 per share.
The largest U.S. cellphone carrier posted revenue of $32.2 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Nineteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $31.72 billion.
Verizon shares have fallen 4 percent since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has climbed 5 percent. The stock has risen 15 percent in the last 12 months.


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The submit National digital tourism mission on the anvil in India appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.
The Union Ministry of Tourism has proposed establishing a National Digital Tourism Mission. In this regard an inter-ministerial Task Force has been set-up to undertake consultations with the tourism trade and area specialists, outline the context, mission, imaginative and prescient, targets, and general scope of the National Digital Tourism Mission.
The Task Force has ready a draft report on proposed National Digital Tourism Mission, which inter-alia lays down area and know-how rules, requirements, digital stack, governance construction and plan for implementation. The Ministry of Tourism has invited last feedback from the stakeholders on draft report for establishing of National Digital Tourism Mission.
The imaginative and prescient of National Digital Tourism Mission is to bridge the current data hole amongst completely different stakeholders of tourism ecosystem via a digital freeway.
The National Digital Tourism Mission envisages attaining the goal of harnessing the full potential of digitisation in tourism sector by facilitating alternate of data and companies in tourism sector spreading throughout nationwide and state tourism organisations, tourism service suppliers, tourism locations, merchandise, experiences and vacationers.
The draft takes word of the incontrovertible fact that tourism sector is extremely fragmented. Subsectors of tourism equivalent to transport, lodging, eating places and catering, and private companies are all topic to very completely different challenges and alternatives.
It has additionally been famous that the majority of the tourism techniques developed by the Centre, state governments, private and non-private sector operate in silos. As a consequence, the tourism ecosystem is unable to reap the combinatorial advantages of data alternate. Data techniques at the moment don’t work together with one another utilizing a standard language, thereby curbing information analytics and resultant policy-making. In order to beat the similar, there may be want for seamless standardised information alternate amongst varied stakeholders.
The submit National digital tourism mission on the anvil in India appeared first on Travel Daily.


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Delphi Technologies is continuing to develop emission control systems in India for growing stringent emission norms, with the added demand for GDI engines, along with commercial vehicle emission control technologies
Ever since the wheel was invented, mobility technologies have been in constant evolution. With the invention of the internal combustion engine (ICE), the epoch of automobiles began. But along with this technology came unwanted and poisonous pollutants. With growing concerns over vehicular emissions across the globe, automotive companies have been striving to develop new technologies and products that offer enhanced emission control solutions.
In India, there is an ever-growing concern over the deteriorating air quality in metropolitan cities. While there are multiple factors contributing to the quality of air pollution, the government has come down heavily on automotive companies in a bid to control the rising levels of pollution. The Indian automotive industry is now on the cusp of adopting BS VI-compliant emission norms that have not only warranted the use of advanced emission control technologies but also prompted a few companies to rethink their business decisions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS & BS VI
Delphi Technologies is one of the leading suppliers of solutions focussed on managing emissions. The company is highly impacted by emission norms and for automotive OEMs in India, it has been supplying a variety of systems to help them meet emission compliance regulations. We spoke to Rajendra Singh Chauhan, Managing Director, Delphi Technologies India, who said BS VI has been an opportunity for the company to contribute various solutions to the auto industry that has also resulted in the company’s growth.
For BS VI, the goals were set well in advance, and that offered the industry more time to prepare and adapt solutions to suit their product needs. As of today, some of the largest manufacturers in the country have around 70 % of their products compliant to BS VI. Automotive companies have been able to approach the development in a phased manner, engine by engine and platform by platform. While achieving emission control compliance for petrol-powered engines is relatively easier, similar technologies for diesel-powered models are expected to come at a significantly higher cost.
However, companies that are moving forward with diesel powertrains have taken on the challenge and by optimising the cost structure they have been able to reduce the expected cost by nearly half. This was possible because of the amount of time available to work on the existing solutions as well as find the right fit for their product and localise it. The announcement ahead of time has been a key factor in this case. Since many emission control technologies are globally available for Euro 7 norms, the need of the hour is to not only develop new technologies, but also adopt these technologies in an India context for Indian conditions and calibrating them. Calibrating these solutions in a phased manner has been the optimal method for most OEMs to achieve compliance across various product portfolios.
OUTLOOK FOR FUTURE EMISSION COMPLIANCE
Diesel powertrains are presently facing heavy scrutiny due to the nature of pollutants that it produces. For medium and heavy duty applications, diesel technologies will continue to being leveraged as they come with an enhanced utilisation and deliver adequate return on investment (ROI). Chauhan said this has been visible even in the temporary negative growth for CVs, as the utilisation has increased, ultimately leading to ROIs improving. In the future, even with an additional cost to implement emission compliance componentry, diesel-powered products may still be viable solutions that would deliver returns to the owners, he noted.
For smaller diesel-powered vehicles, the percentage addition of technologies is significant and will not be able to deliver ROI as a petrol-powered model would. This explains why certain companies dropped the idea of diesel-powered models post the implementation of BS VI norms. These companies are more focussed towards CAFÉ norms and CNG-powered solutions. As electrification progresses, its application in intra-city transport will be of huge value from an environmental perspective.
SCOPE FOR GDI ENGINES IN INDIA
Globally, GDI (gasoline direct injection) technologies have been adopted aggressively; however, the scenario in India is different. In contrast to global markets, India has predominantly been a market for smaller engines. While global countries are looking to downsize or right-size their engines, India is already right-sized. In order to meet fuel efficiency norms, GDI does enjoy an advantage and also enables reduction in engine size with forced induction.
For certain applications such as SUVs, where the weight is high, companies have opted to replace turbocharged diesel engines with GDI petrol engines with forced induction as they have comparable torque and power figures. In such applications, the technology has been successful in a big way. In India, engines primarily range from 1.0 l to 1.5 l, and in this scenario converting into a GDI does not give any specific advantage other than increasing the power and torque figures.
Given the current infrastructure in India, there are no requirements for such high power and torque outputs in engines, said Chauhan. Indian consumers are also more concerned over fuel efficiency rather than just power and torque. As far as BS VI goes, it does not mandate companies to use GDI technologies. Chauhan stated that GDI technologies will have some presence in India, but this will not be applied across the market like it is being done across other countries.
Another factor to be taken note of is the growing pace of electrification, and with the government’s push for electric vehicles, the need for GDI engines will be much lower in contrast to electrification. Electrification may take-off at a faster pace as compared to GDI technologies and considering that India is already right-sized, the technology may not be very popular among manufacturers in India, Chauhan pointed out.
OPTIMISING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE EMISSIONS
In India, the duty cycles for vehicles are different – this has been posing a challenge for many companies as these cycles are different from European duty cycles. In India the average start/stop and speeds are much lower; so meeting emission standards using existent solutions on Indian duty cycles has been a significant challenge.
From the perspective of making engines more efficient and reducing the amount of particulate matter in emissions, engine downsizing for commercial vehicles is important. Previously for diesel engines, pressures up to 1,000 bar were being used, which were further increased to 2,000 bar and then to 2,200 bar. At present, Delphi Technologies is developing engine pressures up to 2,500 bar and even more, which aids in increasing the engine’s efficiency.
To apply these technologies there is an associated additional cost, but in terms of improving the overall efficiency of engines, the benefits will gradually be visible. Chauhan further added that there may be a time in the future where it may not be possible to further increase the pressure in engines. Such improvements would have a certain cost associated with them, which may eventually not get justified going forward, in terms of efficiencies derived from diesel engines.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
Delphi Technologies has been working on propulsion and emission control systems. Its Gurugram-based plant manufactures parts such as canisters and fuel delivery modules (FDM). The company is also supplying FDM systems to the region, including China and Thailand. The product team has an in-depth understanding of regional requirements and is adept at supporting client needs, Chauhan said. Further, with its capabilities to achieve cost targets and create benchmarks in this arena, Delphi Technologies has witnessed rapid growth in the Indian market.
Delphi Technologies is primarily an OEM-focussed organisation and develops products for OEM customers. However, it also has an aftermarket portfolio focussed more on building brand awareness and offering best-in-class products. At present, around 25 % of the company’s business comes from exports. With relatively premium price points, Chauhan claimed the company is also doing its share of contributing to the Make in India initiative.
Delphi Technologies has been producing canister emission control systems for over 20 years, and is doing business with select OEMs. Canisters are primarily a homologation part that is used to capture poisonous fumes of NOx and CO from unburnt fuel. It is filled with activated carbon that will capture the fumes and recirculate them to the engine. Although the part is rather simple to look at, it can simply be fixed on the vehicle and does not need to be replaced during its lifespan. As emission regulations turn more stringent, the engineering complexities of canisters will also go up. This product line has been one of the highest growth solutions developed by Delphi at a global level, and has also been very successful in India.
Delphi Technologies is also producing FDMs in India. The company began making them a little over 10 years ago and with these solutions, it has been able to capture around 20 % car market share for petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. FDMs are also being exported from India to certain OEMs globally. The company’s engineering capabilities in India are more than adequate to meet the application requirements from various OEMs in India for specific conditions prevalent in the sub-continent.
Chauhan claimed that Delphi has not only the right manufacturing footprint but also the right engineering footprint to support OEMs, developing and offering the right products at the right cost. The company continues to expect a lot of growth in this area as well.
Apart from canisters and FDMs, Delphi Technologies is now also focussing on sensors. While the company is engaged in discussions at this moment, it does not have a timeline for SOP or launch. However, it is aligned to add more product lines locally and increase export opportunities from India. Having said that, the priority will be first for the Indian market. The sensors solutions that the company offers are flexible and can be used for diesel and petrol vehicles.
Delphi Technologies has also been able to meet or exceed a lot of challenges in terms of energy consumption by certain products such as pumps, etc. This has been a key reason for growth and has helped improve fuel efficiency of the engine. Further, the company is focussing on downsizing and weight reduction of its products. Chauhan stated that Delphi Technologies has some of the lowest weights for pumps being offered across the market.
CONCLUSION – BEATING THE DOWNTURN
The current slowdown in the automotive market has had a small impact on the company but as compared to the rest of the industry, Chauhan claims it has not been as significant. “I feel our product mix was right and with the launch of BS VI, with new programmes coming in, we have offset any volume losses,” said Chauhan. The company has not experienced the kind of growth that was predicted in the beginning of 2019, but it is not as adversely impacted and revenues continue to grow although not as much as previously anticipated.
TEXT: Joshua David Luther & Anirudh Raheja
PHOTO: Joshua David Luther


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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 7 (UPI) — Google’s latest computerized device, the Google Glass, is likely to run into widespread legal challenges, attorneys and market observers say.
The computer on an eye glass frame is not expected to be available to consumers for months, but the glasses outfitted with computer capabilities are already provoking a legal response, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
They have already been banned in a bar in Seattle. The owner of the 5 Point Cafe, Dave Meinert, said the bar, described by the Times as a Seattle “dive” was a “kind of a private place.”
The Google Glass will have the ability to take photographs and videos and instantly post them onto the Internet. One software developer made a splash last week, when it was announced software had been created that allowed pictures to be taken if the wearer winks.
That may sound like harmless, James Bond-like fun to some, but to others it is a challenge to privacy laws and a public safety concern if they are worn by drivers.
“This is just the beginning. Google Glass is going to cause quite a brawl,” said Los Angeles attorney Timothy Toohey, whose practice focuses on privacy issues. “Google Glass will test the right to privacy versus the First Amendment,” Bradley Shear, a social media expert at George Washington University told the Times.
To promote Google Glass, the company is calling the device “seamless and empowering,” which is partly why it is making some people nervous.
Casino operators are also nervous. Computers and recording devices are not allowed in casinos run by Caesars Entertainment and the Google Glass is both and can be potentially disguised as prescription eye glasses. “We will not allow people to wear Glass while gambling or attending our shows,” said a company spokesman.
“We are thinking very carefully about how we design Glass because new technology always raises new issues,” said Courtney Hohne, a Google spokeswoman.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).