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At the end of a long driveway, hidden from sight in King Country, an Everest of torn, bald and stinking tyres grows day by day.
Its owner, Alvin Cobb, estimated about 700,000 tyres are sitting on the site. He said he inherited at least 500,000 when he bought the near-16 hectare site in a mortgagee sale last year.
His daily trucks from his Hamilton Tyre Plus stores have added a fresh layer to the festering mound. His intended fate for the tyres is shipping containers bound for countries such as India – where he says they can be recycled.
The ports are busy with fruit at the moment, Cobb said, so the pile is growing by hundreds each day.
Despite central government refusing to declare tyres a priority product under the Waste Management Act, he refuses to bury them.
“The problem is there, and there’s best ways of fixing it, and it’s mainly a strike of the pen from the government that will help that. I ain’t digging a hole and I ain’t burying it, so there’s better options for me.”


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Fans continue to flock to sports retailers for latest Wichita State gear
Wichita State beat Ohio State on Saturday evening to advance to the Final Four, and by Sunday morning fans were lining up to get the latest round of commemorative apparel.
If you haven’t gotten your Final Four merchandise yet, you might have to wait, but retailers are doing everything they can to get their racks and shelves restocked.
Shipments of T-shirts are coming in, but some stores say they haven’t yet received all that they’ve ordered.
In some cases, that’s become the alternative to employees answering the phones.
We talked to some local retailers last week about how the Shockers run to the Sweet 16 has been a boon for business, and the ramp-up continues now that WSU is preparing to play on college basketball’s biggest stage for only the second time ever.
Retailers are placing multiple orders and even making special out-of-town trips to places like Kansas City to pick up extra orders.
Sports shops opened before noon on Easter Sunday and were met with long lines, wrapping around stores in some cases.
Stores are sure to be busy throughout the week as people prepare to cheer on the Shockers in the Final Four against top-seeded Louisville, a game that will tip off around 5:10 p.m. Central time on Saturday in Atlanta.
Shops were inundated with customers when WSU knocked off No. 1 Gonzaga to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2006. By Friday, what was left of Sweet 16 shirts were moved to make way for new ones touting Wichita State’s inclusion in the Elite Eight.
Josh Heck covers health care, professional services, education and energy.
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Yahoo has acquired San Francisco-based video chat start-up company OnTheAir for an undisclosed sum. The move will help it compete with the likes of Skype and Google+ Hangouts as CEO Marissa Mayer continues her revamp of the technology giant.
The acquisition of OnTheAir is expected to help Yahoo develop and offer video chat apps for smartphones and tablets.
OnTheAir said in a statement that the company will be a good fit with Yahoo because of its focus on mobile, which is something Mayer has admitted Yahoo struggles with.
"When we first met the team at Yahoo, it was clear that everybody there is committed to making mobile products the backbone for the world’s daily habits. All in all, it’s a fascinating time to be joining Yahoo," the statement said.
Yahoo’s latest deal follows last month’s acquisition of mobile app Stamped, which the company reportedly acquired for $10m. Founded in 2011, Stamped offers a mobile app and website that allows users to share their recommendations with fellow users about restaurants, music, books and other things.


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There are fast food restaurants, and then there are fast food restaurants that put the rest of them to shame. Such is the case with the oft maligned Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, AZ.
Profiled in the media for their insane menu, which consists of the biggest burgers available (called the single, double, triple and quadruple bypass burgers), fries deep fried in lard, butterfat shakes, no filter cigarettes and Jolt Cola, they’ve recently come under fire for their newest promotion and spokesman.
At the aptly named Heart Attack Grill, if you weigh more than 350 pounds, you can eat your meal for free. They’ve also hired Blair Rogers, a “model” who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 570 pounds, as their new spokesperson. Rogers had previously tried out for The Biggest Loser twice. “Since ‘Biggest Loser’ didn’t want me, why not go the other way,” he said, saying his spokesmodel stint is simply “using my size and having fun at it.”
When you arrive at the restaurant, you are weighed by a shapely woman in a nurse’s outfit and given a hospital gown to wear. The scale is in the middle of the restaurant so that everyone can watch and applaud.
Jon Basso, who owns the restaurant, claims that he’s done nothing wrong. In his previous job as a Jenny Craig facility owner, he recommended that clients take a day off from dieting to eat “real” foods. “The best diets include one cheat day,” says Basso.
What do you think about this marketing technique? Is it going too far or are people getting upset for nothing?
via abcnews; image via pulpfree.org


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The Tesla Semi is still an all too rare sight on the nation’s roads, but when they are seen out in the wild, it’s easy to be impressed.
A video of the Semi hauling some cargo on the highway has been posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, racking up nearly 90,000 views.
Featured on the Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) account, the Semi is described as a “work horse” as it pulls the trailer with ease.
Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) September 4, 2023
“I would love to drive one of those,” said another.
PepsiCo vice president Mike O’Connell told the publication the Semi can tackle a 425-mile (684-km) trip carrying Frito-Lay products while only using 80% of its battery capacity, and recharging only takes up to 45 minutes.
According to Tesla, the Semi can reach 60 miles per hour from standing while fully loaded in just 20 seconds, while its full estimated range is around 500 miles.
The brand said it uses less than two kilowatt-hours of power for every mile driven.
Data from Statista revealed that in 2021, medium and heavy trucks accounted for around 23% of global carbon air pollution from the transportation sector, second only to passenger cars (39%).
Given that the presence of cars on the roads is much higher than that of medium and heavy trucks, the environmental impact of freight transportation is especially notable.
As carbon pollution is one of the main drivers of global heating, finding ways to limit the impact of the hauling industry in regard to rising temperatures is vital. As Tesla’s Semis produce zero tailpipe pollution, seeing more of them out and about is a welcome sight.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated that medium and heavy trucks accounted for around 23% of global carbon air pollution period, rather than just from the transportation sector. We regret the error.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.


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Apple and Amazon are among the world's most admired companies and rightly so. Their innovative products, services and business models have fostered customer passion and loyalty and made them two of the world's most valuable companies.
For the past several years, FMI's research has identified a number of significant shifts in customer shopping habits that are challenging our longstanding industry vocabulary and forcing us to rethink the way we talk about traditional industry measurements.
The Trump administration is now past the "first 100 days" and looking to engage on longer-term issues. Congressional Republicans and the President have identified tax reform as one of their top priorities and are beginning to firm up plans for how to proceed.
With all of the new technology available to consumers enabling online shopping, how do you continue to drive store traffic and purchases? Brands and retailers need to consider the role trip drivers play in their overall strategy.
As industry leaders, you face enormous challenges, and next to the financial burdens associated with running your businesses effectively and efficiently, you tell us that providing health care to your employees is paramount.
Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos leads an army of more than 120,000 employees tasked with executing the company's strategy of serving others at a network of stores that will surpass 14,000 locations in 2017.


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Nova Scotia is celebrating excellence in exporting at the 30th annual Export Achievement Awards, Thursday, May 29, in Halifax.
The awards highlight nine companies that are leading by example.
One will receive Exporter of the Year.
This year’s nominees have already been recognized in their communities by regional chambers of commerce.
“Congratulations to all the companies for their excellence in exporting,” said Michel Samson, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. “Government understands the importance exporting has to our province. Exporting drives growth in revenues for businesses and increases competitiveness both domestically and internationally.”
According to Export Development Canada’s Global Export Forecast, an improving U.S. economy and a lower Canadian dollar will help spur Nova Scotia’s exports ahead by eight per cent in 2014, and an additional three per cent in 2015.
“Exports are a major engine of economic growth and critical to Canada’s long-term prosperity. Nova Scotia’s exporters are fuelling that growth through the accomplishments being celebrated at the 2014 Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards,” said Rob Moore, Minister of State, (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).
“The government shares that commitment and has made opening new markets a priority through initiatives such as the Canada and European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, so that our leading exporters can continue to grow and fuel our region’s prosperity for many years to come.”
This year’s Exporter of the Year will join a group of past winners which include Velsoft in 2013, Clearwater in 2012 and in 2011, TeamSpace.
The 2014 regional award recipients are:
— Scothorn Farms Ltd., Hardwood Lands, Hants Co.
— OTS Ltd., Sydney
— Dalton Industries, Truro
— RPS Composites Inc., Lunenburg
— Ocean Leader Fisheries, Lower Wedgeport, Yarmouth Co.
— Nova-Agri, Canning, Kings Co.
— Guys Frenchys, Digby
— Stright-MacKay, New Glasgow
— Clearwater Seafoods, Halifax
The keynote speaker is James Surrette, president of Surrette Battery in Springhill. It is Canada’s only independent battery manufacturer and one of the industry leaders in North America. The worldwide demand for renewable energy makes their eco-friendly batteries more viable than ever for trade in international markets.
“Nova Scotia businesses are gaining momentum in the global market. Since 2007, NSBI has worked with close to 600 businesses through trade missions, programs and services,” said Ron Smith, interim CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. “We are proud of the great businesses across this province and are excited to highlight their success.”
The awards ceremony is presented by Nova Scotia Business Inc. and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and will be at the World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on the awards and to purchase tickets, visit www.exportachievementawards.com .


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Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Aseptic Packaging Market
The outbreak of coronavirus in the early months of 2020 has shut the doors to businesses and organizations for uncertain time duration. This has mainly affected all the industry sectors except the pharmaceuticals. Amid the virus impact, the sterile and antiviral packaging solutions in aseptic packaging market are providing continuous support playing vital role during this uncertain situation in the world. The negative impact of conventional economic slowdown attributed to the production activity closures, supply chain disruptions, restrictions for movement, and following physical distancing guidelines. Moreover, the healthcare sector is being reporting huge demand from diagnostic tests, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, medical ventilators, and other medicinal essentials. The rising number of corona virus-infected patients has put on pressure over the pharmaceutical industry. Pharma companies in coordination with aseptic packaging providers are actively responding to a new set of challenges. Packaging manufacturers are managing up surge in the demand for sterile formats by investing heavily in expanding their production capacity, innovation in their aseptic product portfolio including sterile & antiviral packaging, and among others. While these developments are taking place, the aseptic packaging players are expanding on their cleanroom complying with the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) to support rapid demand for sterile formats. Furthermore, the companies are implementing strategies to expand their global footprint through several initiatives including mergers and acquisitions to fulfill the demand from pharmaceutical companies. For instance, the partnership signed between West Pharmaceutical Services- provider of injectable drug delivery solutions and SCHOTT- a primary packaging solutions. This partnership is intended to provide access to convenient, high-quality as well as easy-to-use sterile packaging solutions. Furthermore, the packaging players are adopting NO2-based sterilization method which provides minimal pressure requirements, ultra-low temperature process, low or zero cytotoxic residuals, and fast cycle times.
Owing to all above mentioned factors, it is expected to rebound the losses incurred during the lockdown by aseptic packaging market and projected to grow at rapid pace after the second quarter of 2021, post outbreak.


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The latest news is that Uber last week accepted a $3.5 billion investment from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
That means Uber now has $11 billion to fuel its growth. But what's conspicuously lacking from that assumed growth is some type of exit strategy for Uber's earlier investors.
Will there ever be an IPO? Not anytime soon, if CEO Travis Kalanick has his way.
There is another option of course: acquisition.
Conservatively, Uber's acquisition value would be something like $80 billion. That's a big bite. Tesla has a market cap of about $30 billion. General Motors is $46 billion. Ford is $52 billion.
None of those companies, nor many others, have enough cash to acquire Uber outright.
But one company that does is Apple.
Apple has more than $200 billion in cash and marketable securities. And while not all of it is immediately accessible without a huge tax hit, Apple could also use its stock to buy Uber.
So why would Apple want to buy Uber?
Apple is way behind on transforming transportation
Maybe Apple is building a car; maybe it isn't. But Apple is definitely doing something on the mobility front. Unfortunately, it's only a provider of a small piece of software to car companies: Apple CarPlay. CarPlay is excellent — I've only become a bigger fan as I've used it in various cars — but Apple has to want more.
Uber proposes to redefine mobility along the "de-ownership" model. Who needs a car when you can hail a ride using your iPhone? Others are jumping into this new space, including traditional automakers, such as GM and VW. Apple also lags behind Google on the self-driving front. And of course Tesla has been building cars for years now.
Apple just invested $1 billion in a Chinese competitor to Uber, Didi Chuxing, so the company is clearly interested in getting in on this action.
But buying Uber would allow it to catch up rapidly — and not incidentally, have a huge customer and user base for the Apple Car, if and when it arrives.
Stabilize the unicorn economy
Is Uber in trouble?
Not all signs are good. The company is burning through money at an alarming rate and relying on apparently insatiable funders to keep it going. It's not having an easy go of it in Europe, its US rivals are hooking up with big carmakers — GM invested $500 million in Lyft — and it's anybody's guess how it will fare in China.
Uber is the most impressive Silicon Valley startup since Facebook, but unlike Facebook, Uber operates in the rough-and-tumble real world of human drivers, passengers, unions, unfriendly governments, and machines that can kill people.
Uber's recent Saudi raise reminds me of a completely amped-up, unicornized version of Tesla, circa 2008. Tesla hadn't yet gone public, but it had captivated the world. However, it was rapidly running out of money. It secured additional investment and received a loan from the US government, but it also sold chunks of itself to Toyota and Daimler (both later sold their stakes for a tasty profit after Tesla's 2010 IPO).
We now know how desperate Tesla was. Bankruptcy was only a few weeks away in 2008, and only a new influx in investment at the end of December — Christmas Eve! — kept the lights on.
Uber doesn't seem desperate, but we do know that it's nowhere near making money. The goal is to get huge, to become utterly dominant around the world. But Uber is already dominant in the US, and that hasn't been enough.
If Uber runs out of investors, it will either have to withdraw from certain areas of business, like China, or take a big cut in its valuation. That could spark a flight from tech investments like we haven't seen since the recession of 2008.
Apple could become a Silicon Valley hero by making the Uber unicorn problem go away.
The investor of last resort
Does it make sense for users, who are Apple's most important constituents? Kind of.
The Uber experience is frequently an iPhone experience, so there's already an affinity. If Apple is building a car, and if ride hailing's destiny involves fleets of self-driving vehicles, then Apple-plus-Uber is a juggernaut.
From a business perspective, Apple is also groping for its Next Big Thing. The Apple Watch hasn't lit the world on fire yet. Rumored plans for a TV or TV service haven't taken shape in the form of a great service people can actually buy. The car plans are going to take a while to get there.
I'll admit that an $80 billion unicorn rescue strategy is pretty out there.
But the more money Uber inhales, the harder its fall could be. If the tech sector collapses as a result, the mothers of all chills sweeps through Silicon Valley. Sure, Apple is insulted. Sure, it might not care if the unicorns all die, as long as iPhone sales live on.
But an Uber doesn't come along every day. Or even every century. You could make the argument that it has done for transportation what Apple did for personal computing and, later, the smartphone revolution. If it survives, it could change everything. So Apple could buy that. Or it could fritter away its cash with smaller acquisitions here and there, or it could seek another moonshot product.
And then there's the notion that Apple is the godfather of Silicon Valley, with a higher purpose, one that goes beyond simply making money, and lots of it, every year.
So why not? You can save the unicorns, Apple. You can save all of them.


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A new, really important report has just come out about children and online safety. It is sensible and research-based, with excellent recommendations. The strongest recommendation is that scare tactics DON’T WORK to keep children safe online. I hate to sound surprised, but it is really a breath of fresh air. Educators and parents should read it!
Although unwanted online solicitations can have an alarming impact, recent studies have shown that “the statistical probability of a young person being physically assaulted by an adult who they first met online is extremely low,” the working group noted.
And young people’s use of social networking sites does not increase their risk of victimization, according to a 2008 report that appeared in American Psychologists.
And kudos to eSchoolNews for an excellent report on a complex and highly charged subject.


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Bidvest Foodservice has opened a state-of-the-art Business Support Centre and depot in Slough in what marks a “new chapter” for the organisation.
Based in a 117,000 sq. ft purpose-built facility, the new centre will increase capacity for growth in the southern region, create additional opportunities for employment in the local area and improve the level of service the company offers its customers.
The facility has been designed for Bidvest Foodservice by SEGRO and KMG Partnership, and combines both the company’s Business Support Centre, housing central functions such as buying, marketing and the supply chain team, and the depot itself.
The move creates an opportunity for office teams to work more closely with the depot, thus getting closer to the customer and developing efficiencies across the business, as well as building better working practices.
An ambitious design and construction project, the building features a purpose-designed presentation kitchen, a ‘Smart Store’ (a groundbreaking vending machine and mini store), a contemporary coffee lounge, a modern staff canteen and a commercial kitchen.
John Woolford, general manager of the Slough depot, said: “As the UK’s leading foodservice provider, our mission is to deliver service excellence, make life easier and help our customers grow.
“Our new site in Slough is absolutely fundamental to this. Not only does it provide a fresh, new working environment with ground-breaking industry technology where our employees can thrive and grow, but it will benefit customers too. Its location on the M4 corridor extends our reach in the southern region by putting us at the heart of the area we supply and marks our commitment to cutting food miles too.”
Gareth Osborn, SEGRO’s Business Unit Director for Thames Valley, said: “We’re excited to welcome Bidvest Foodservice to the Slough Trading Estate, reinforcing its credentials as a world-class business destination, and look forward to supporting their growth in the Southern region.”
Bidvest staff celebrated the opening of the site by joining forces to pull one of the company’s 18 tonne lorries across the entrance of the building.


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Glitch Games, creators of the popular Forever Lost series have recently released a trailer for their latest adventure game, Cabin Escape: Alice’s Adventure. The game is a prologue to the Forever Lost titles, and will launch to help hold-over fans eager to get their hands on the third episode of the series.
The game will allow you to capture photographs of clues and rooms you discover via an in-game camera, and features a beautiful soundtrack that compliments the evocative setting. Cabin Escape: Alice’s Adventure will be available on iOS and Android. For more information, visit the official Glitch Games website.
View the trailer below:


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The Walt Disney Firm reported better-than-expected earnings per share on Thursday, however that didn’t cease its stock price from taking an after-hours nosedive.
That’s as a result of the leisure large reported slower-than-expected growth for its Disney Plus streaming service. The service now has 103.6 million paid subscribers, versus a consensus estimate of 109 million cited by CNBC.
Disney shares have been down greater than 4% in pre-market buying and selling on Friday.
The hit underscores the extent to which Disney—a various conglomerate with theme parks, TV networks, film studios, and an unlimited shopper merchandise division—is now wholly reliant on one metric. “Nothing else appears to matter,” analysts MoffettNathanson mentioned in a analysis word Friday. “Earlier [key performance indicators] that will swing the stock in years previous like ESPN affiliate charges, home park profitability or international field workplace are unintended particulars in a market that’s laser targeted on Disney’s DTC pivot.”
With its disappointing numbers, Disney joins rival Netflix, which final month reported considerably slowed subscriber growth within the first quarter. The service added 4 million in comparison with an anticipated 6 million. Each firms are coming off a yr wherein individuals around the globe have been sheltering in place on account of COVID-19 restrictions, however as these proceed to elevate, extra individuals could resolve to chop down on the variety of streaming providers they subscribe to.
Disney reported EPS of 79 cents for its second fiscal quarter, far increased than the 27 cents analysts have been anticipating. However income was barely decrease than projections: $15.61 billion versus $15.87 billion.


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Panasonic India has launched its P51 smartphone - a first in the series of smartphones that mark its entry into the mobile phone segment in India. The smartphone has been priced at Rs 26,990 and will be available by next week in stores.
The Panasonic P51 smartphone sports a sleek design and brings HD experience to a 5-inch screen, with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The smartphone is powered by a quad-core MediaTek 1.2GHz processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). The P51 comes with a magnetic flip-cover stylus. This Wi-Fi enabled device also sports an 8MP camera (auto focus with flash) and a 1.3MP 720p HD front camera. The smartphone sports a unibody design and has a 8.5mm waistline and weighs 135g.
Sports a 5-inch display
Here're the specs of the Panasonic P51 at a glance -
- 5-inch IPS HD display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels
- Dual-SIM; HSPA+
- Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n, GPS
- GSM Quad band (850/ 900/1800/1900 MHz), UMTS (900/2100 MHz)
- 8MP camera (Auto Focus with Flash), 1.3MP 720p sub camera
- 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage + memory expandable upto 32GB
Panasonic smartphone will come equipped with features like easy-to-use, ultra-responsive touch displays that allow users to check their social network updates, read SMS’s, check calendar, and answer/reject/mute calls. Pre-loaded in the smartphone is a card-scanning app, a card reader and the WeChat IM app.
This phone will be available across national retail chain stores, multi-brand outlets and distributors across India from May onwards.
Published Date: May 16, 2013 12:57 pm | Updated Date: May 16, 2013 12:57 pm


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The latest electronic and electrical enclosure solutions from CamdenBoss
Whilst 2020 had its challenges, CamdenBoss pushed further to ensure it strengthened their position in engineering solutions in all aspects of the business. The appointments of Mark Russell as Technical Director with 30 years' experience in high tech industries and medical device manufacture, Nick Branston as Head of Product Development and Danny Pearson as Head of Manufacturing showcases CamdenBoss' commitment to product development and world class manufacturing. With these key members in place, 2021 is set to be a year of growth, both on the manufacturing front and customer satisfaction.
2020 also saw further efforts of CamdenBoss to bring manufacturing back to UK shores as well as legacy enclosure changes that revive and modernise solutions such as the BIM2000 series general purpose enclosures and the 1100 series stylish ABS enclosures. A strong line up of new products have been developed throughout the year that set the standard for CamdenBoss and its off-the-shelf engineered solution enclosures. This clear direction is set to continue throughout 2021.
UK manufacturing not only helps improve our lead times to the customer but also provides far greater quality control and a refined supply chain when delivering those all-important parts. CamdenBoss is also keen to improve on its environmental impact and, by producing many of its core products in the UK, moving towards a greener future.
Pushing the boundaries of what is expected from an off-the-shelf enclosure, CamdenBoss has utilised its 50 years' experience and its UK engineering team to release market-leading engineered solutions, designed with purpose that tackle everyday issues that product designers and installers face. Examples of this can be seen in the latest product introductions.
Their Hex-Box IoT enclosure, released in November, redefines the rules of efficiency in PCB manufacture. Its hexagonal shape allows for an array of connections and air flow. Whilst designed and intended for industrial use, the Hex-Box IoT enclosure maintains modern aesthetics, making it suitable for any technology lovers' home or retail environment. When paired with the unique circular wall mount bracket, it provides an easy install with an inventive twist release mechanism.
The Easy Assembly Electronics Enclosure, the next generation universal enclosure, also released in November, has had record interest. The innovation of a low-cost box offers fast assembly, modern aesthetics and industry changing features, whilst being made in the UK. For CamdenBoss the Easy Assembly has been a huge success.
2021 is set to be a huge year for CamdenBoss as they prepare for a monumental change in their history and manufacturing capabilitiesâ€¦ be sure to keep an eye on their socials and news outlets so you don't miss the big reveal!
Get in touch with our sales team to discuss your requirement, find out about the latest enclosures or register your interest in future products, call them today on 01638 716101 or visit www.camdenboss.com


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Taylor Made Environmental has elected Ned Trigg to the position of international and domestic OEM sales director. Trigg will be responsible for all aspects of sales operations, including assigning OEM territories, OEM relations and coordinating requirements between sales and production, applications and engineering. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1987, Trigg joined Marine Development Corporation (MDC) as an applications engineer. Two years later, he became an OEM sales manager and called on key domestic accounts for over 10 years. In 1997 he was given the added responsibility of Southeast Asia. After the merger between MDC and Marine Air Systems in 1999, Trigg was promoted to international sales director before assuming his current position as international and domestic OEM sales director.
Kelvin Hughes has expanded its international sales team to meet the growing interest in its range of hi-tech radar equipment for the commercial, military and leisure sectors. Ian Yuill has been appointed International Sales Manager and Peter Chahal and Wilko Smit have become Area Sales Managers. Yuill has a background in sales and marketing spanning over 25 years with companies such as Northern Foods, BT and BBL Medical
Jet Edge, Inc., a manufacturer of ultra-high pressure waterjet and abrasivejet systems for precision cutting, surface preparation and hydrodemolition, has appointed Antoine Deproost as its new International Sales Engineer. Deproost is responsible for sales of Jet Edge systems in Europe, South America and the Middle East, and for developing international distribution partners in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and Central America.
W&O Supply announced two new hires. In order to develop relationships and partnerships with its clients, W&O Supply has created two new positions: Business Development Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience and leadership in multiple industries, Sam Entriken has been hired as W&O Supply’s Director of Sales and Marketing. Entriken will be responsible for growing W&O Supply’s domestic leadership position and providing
MOL (America) Inc. appointed of Akira Kunimatsu to the position of Senior Manager, International Sales, Midwest region. Mr. Kunimatsu, who is based in Elmhurst, IL, is responsible for managing all aspects of MOL’s international sales activity in the U.S. Midwest.
Cummins Inc. today reported results for the second quarter of 2013. The company said they expect full year revenues to be in line with 2012. Second quarter revenues of $4.5 billion increased 2% from the second quarter of 2012. Revenues in North America increased by 7% and international revenues declined by 4%. Within international markets, growth in Brazil and China was offset by weaker demand in Europe, India and Mexico.
Delta "T" Systems has chosen Duramax International as its representative in Central and South America. Headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, Delta "T" is a pioneer in the field of engineered marine engine room ventilation. Its product lines include moisture eliminators, fans, fire dampers, blowers and electronic control systems. Marine manufacturer representative Duramax International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Duramax Marine, LLC
Hydrasun, a provider of integrated fluid transfer, power and control solutions to the global energy industry, has made two new senior business development appointments as it positions itself for further development and growth in international markets. Stephen McIntyre joins Hydrasun as business development manager for global key accounts, and Derek Murray joins as International sales manager. Both positions are based in the company’s Aberdeen headquarters
Cummins Inc. reported its results for the second quarter of 2014. According to the report, second quarter revenue of $4.8 billion increased 7 percent from the same quarter in 2013. The increase year-over-year was driven by stronger demand in on-highway markets and distributor acquisitions in North America. Revenues in North America increased 14 percent while international sales decreased 1 percent compared to the second quarter a year ago
Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington has announced that Tidewater Marine International Inc. has sold its44.2m x 8.1m x 3.6m depth / 1.7m draft, 168mtdw, high-speed, aluminum crew / supply vessel Merlin Tide\ to private European operators for continued operation in oilfield service. Built by Swiftships Shipbuilders LLC of Morgan City, Louisiana for Tidewater as Hull 524 in 1999, the vessel is powered by five 956kW Cummins KTA 38M2 diesels developing a total of 6,600BHP at 1
Today Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) decided in principle to launch a new wholly owned entity to integrally oversee its current businesses in material handling equipment centered on forklift trucks, engines and turbochargers. The new entity will serve as an independent management body to
Parker Bestobell Marine has recently completed a contract to supply cryogenic Globe and Check valves made in Sheffield, for Hoegh LNG’s series of five FSRUs (Floating Storage Regasification Units) that are being built at Hyundai shipyard (HHI) in South Korea.
Golar LNG Limited has entered into a purchase agreement to sell the Golar Tundra, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), to Golar LNG Partners LP for a sale price of $330 million. In connection with the closing, Golar LNG Partners will receive a daily fee plus operating
The Port of Long Beach kicked off 2016 by logging its seventh straight month of cargo increases, showing a 24.8 percent jump in container shipments over the same month last year. Port of Long Beach terminals moved 536,188 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units
PC Maritime has secured a contract to supply, install and commission dual Navmaster ECDIS on 39 tankers owned by Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) and managed by V.Ships UK. The contract is to be completed and all crew trained and certified by the end of 2016.
Euronav NV has sold one of its two oldest VLCC vessels, the 2001-built, 298,412 dwt VLCC Famenne, for $38.4 million. The vessel is wholly owned by Euronav. The capital gain on that sale of about $13.8 million will be recorded at delivery.
W&O, a global supplier to the marine and upstream oil and gas markets for pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation, and engineered solutions, announced a new OEM partner, Tranberg. A member of R. STAHL Technology Group, Tranberg offers offshore, marine and helideck lighting control solutions
The media in Tehran said on Saturday that Japan plans to extend a contract to purchase crude oil from Iran. Shana news agency – affiliated to Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum – has reported that Japan’s contract will be extended until April 2017.
The SENER engineering and technology group will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary in 2016. It has grown into a multidisciplinary international group which offers solutions in Aeronautics, Engineering and Construction, and Energy and Environment.
Iran is slowly winding down stocks of oil stored on tankers close to its shores and the process is likely to take longer than Tehran had wanted, despite the lifting of international sanctions this month. The pace of sales taken from floating storage highlights the difficulties Iran is facing
Marine Manufacturer Adds Talented Technical Sales Professional To Expand Key Big Boat Market Segment Presence IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality marine products, announced today the addition of Prentice Weathers to its sales team.
Modern Terminals Limited (MTL), Hong Kong’s longest established container terminal operator, today announced the appointment of Mr. Keith Saunders as its new Managing Director – Hong Kong, effective from 1st February 2016. Mr. Saunders will lead Modern Terminals’ Brand
The Korean shipping giant Hanjin Shipping improved its financial result in 2015 and came back to profit trajectory. It reported a $6m net profit in 2015 from a $396m loss the previous year and said it expects cost-saving measures to help it weather a tough 2016.
Sylvain Robitaille has been named Regional Sales Manager. Reflecting the growing volume of shipbuilding projects and expansion of its customer base in the region, Schottel has opened a new sales office in the Quebec City, Quebec area. Schottel Canada, Inc
China's COSCO already the sole bidder for Greece's Piraeus Port. Buying both would give COSCO a European transhipment hub. China's COSCO is expected to make an offer for Greece's rail network after becoming the sole bidder for the country's largest port, two people familiar with the matter said


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IMF lowers prediction for Europe's 2018 economic growth
The International Monetary Fund expects the broader economy of Europe to grow 2.2% this year, down from its 2.4% prediction in April, the Associated Press reports.
Why it matters: The IMF has voiced concern previously over the affect that trade conflicts can have on the global economy. Chief economist for the IMF, Maury Obstfeld, said that "the risk of worse outcomes has increased" for the world economy, per the AP. Despite these worries, the IMF's prediction of 3.9% economic growth for the overall world economy from April is staying unchanged.


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Tag - Game Center
[Update: added detail to iOS 9.3.2 beta] On Wednesday, Apple issued the second developer beta for OS X 10.11.5, iOS 9.3.2, watchOS 2.2.1, and tvOS 9.2.1, all coming two weeks after the previous betas. The updates are all bereft of any immediately-obvious changes, though some notable tweaks may be discovered later by testers. As with this entire update cycle, the focus with the releases has been on bug fixes and performance and stability improvements. One significant improvement in the iOS 9.3.2 is a possible fix for a long-standing Game Center bug that sometimes results in a blank screen, preventing users from playing the games involved.
To think that some people object that you can't remove Apple's own apps from iPhones and iPads. Actually, everybody objects to that. Still, you can chuck them all in a folder and never think of them again – unless they're Game Center. If you're a fan then we do agree: it's a well-done system that means you can play games against other people anywhere across the internet. Er, so long as they're also on Apple devices. Only, call us curmudgeonly, but when we fire up chess to while away a few minutes in private defeat and misery, we don't always want to share that with the world. You try shutting up Game Center, though.
Following a series of short but widespread iCloud and online storefront-related outages, Apple's Game Center has been down since early Tuesday afternoon (Pacific TIme), and as of late Tuesday has still not yet been resolved. According to the company's system status page, every area of Apple's online services saw some level of outage on Tuesday, with a morning disruption of Siri, Apple Pay, storefront, and iCloud services followed by a second disruption of the online stores in the early evening.
Customers trying to use the App Store are currently experiencing a variety of problems, according to complaints. Some are seeing vague error messages, while others are simply unable to finish downloads; many users are unaffected. For those who are impacted, the trouble can interfere with both the iOS and Mac App Stores, and any version of iOS or OS X.
On top of new apps, Apple is also considering a number of improvements to existing apps and under-the-hood technologies, sources claim. An example of the latter is Notification Center, where Apple is allegedly interested in simplifying panels from "Today," "All," and "Missed" to just "Today" and "Notifications."
Apple has updated Game Center in order to cope with cheaters, according to a notice issued to developers. "You can now view and manage the top 100 scores and usernames for all of your Game Center leaderboards," the company writes. "Protect your legitimate players by signing in to iTunes Connect to delete fake scores or block players that post fake scores. You can also restore scores and players within the same time period," the memo continues.
Several of Apple's online services were briefly impacted by outages earlier today, according to Apple's System Status page. The worst affected the iTunes Store, the iBookstore, and the Mac and iOS App Stores between 1:28 and 2:57PM Eastern time, preventing some people from making any purchases. During the same time period, people may have been unable to use iTunes in the Cloud or iTunes Match, or restore purchases from an iCloud backup.
iOS 7 is codenamed "Innsbruck," and will use a "very, very flat" design, sources for 9to5Mac claim. The OS is reportedly jettisoning any signs of gloss or skeuomorphism, making it flat on a level nearing the look of the Metro interface used in Windows Phone and Windows 8. Apple has sometimes been criticized for using unnecessary real-world analogies in the look of iOS and OS X, for instance by making its Calendar apps resemble leather daybooks.
Apple's online services are again suffering outages, their official system status page indicates. Between 7:20 and 9:32AM Eastern, some people may have been unable to access the iTunes Store or make purchases there. Still ongoing however are problems preventing people from creating Apple IDs or signing into Game Center, as well as authentication errors when trying to use iCloud. The latter may also prevent people from setting up a new iCloud account.
Apple has reported some brief but widespread slowdowns and unavailability of Game Center -- starting in the wee hours of Thursday and again later that morning -- coupled with a prolonged mail issue that only affected a fraction of one percent of users on iCloud.com for half a day over Thursday and Friday. The disruption comes on the heels of scattered reports of brief iTunes Store outages and a more serious iMessage and FaceTime problem ten days ago, the latter of which lasted over five hours. All services are back to normal operation now.
Now AAPL Stock: 92.04 ( -1.36 )
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
French show carries on with iPhones
Following a prolonged power loss in a French TV studio, the crew was able to use a combination of limited studio lighting and a number of iPhones to continue taping the Saturday episode of talk show On n'est pas couché ("We're Still Awake"), using the resulting footage in the first edited episode. The Plus-model iPhones used for the impromptu shoot completion were either iPhone 6 Plusses (which shoot in 1080p) or 6s Plus models (which can shoot in 4K). The decision to use the iPhones to complete the show was made after a power outage at France 2's studio stretched to more than three hours. http://bit.ly/299wqDt
Scrivener for iOS to arrive in late July
For some long-time Scrivener users, to quote Paul Simon, "these are the days of miracle and wonders." As it marks its 10th anniversary in business, developer Keith Blount has announced that the long-awaited iOS version of his creative-writing tool Scrivener is to be submitted to the App Store, following strong praise from beta-testers. The program, expected in late July, will sell for $20 and work with both the iPad and iPhone. When we interviewed Blount last January, he added that Scrivener 3 for Mac would follow along shorty afterwards. http://bit.ly/2901XLE
WhatsApp now handles over 100M calls daily
WhatsApp is celebrating that it is being used for over 100 million calls every day. In a brief notice, the Facebook-owned messaging platform advises the voice-calling feature it rolled out to its users last year now deals with an average of over 1,100 calls initiated per second. Earlier this year, it increased the security of its calls and other messages, by introducing end-to-end encryption on all platforms. http://bit.ly/292HqCX
Adele's '25' album now streaming
Recording artist Adele has "pulled a Kanye" after saying that her current album "25" would not be available for streaming. The seven-month-old record, which has yielded a number of hit singles, is now available for streaming on all the major streaming services, such as Apple Music and Spotify, as of today in most major markets, with worldwide distribution to come. Reportedly, the singer had demanded streaming be limited to paid subscribers -- a condition that has hurt some streamers with artists, who aren't paid royalties for free or trial listens . Apple pays performers its normal royalty rates during its free trial, avoiding the issue -- and having repeated success in both signing up exclusives and placing those exclusives into the top of the charts. http://ti.me/28U7NOu
SanDisk iXpand case has battery, storage
A new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s case from SanDisk appears to be the "holy grail" of accessories: a stylish and protective case that offers both extra storage as well as the option of extra battery power as well. The iXpand Memory case offers either 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of additional storage incorporated into the case, and an optional add-on battery pack (sold separately) adds up to an extra day or more of charge. Through the associated iXpand app, camera photos and videos can be automatically stored on the extra storage, optionally password-protected, The cost for the case is (in order of storage capacity) $60, $100, and $130. The battery pack's release data has not yet been announced, but the add-on should retail for an additional $30. http://bit.ly/291epHu
Fifth Hong Kong store to open June 30
The 46th official Apple store in what the company calls the "Greater China" region will open at 10AM local time in Hong Kong's New Town Plaza in the Sha Tin district on Thursday, June 30, according to a new page on Apple's retail website. Despite slowing growth due to economic turmoil in China, the country is still Apple's fastest-growing market. The new story will be the fifth for Hong Kong, a lucrative market for Apple thanks to the high concentration of wealth there and a thriving "gray" market. Normal store hours for the new store will be 10AM to 10PM every day. http://apple.co/291diaT


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PNB Launches PNB Metaverse, Explore a 3D Banking World from the Comfort of Your Home
PNB Metaverse, Redefining Customer Experience in Banking Through Cutting-Edge Virtual Branch Technology
7 July 2023
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched PNB Metaverse, a virtual branch that offers a unique and immersive banking experience to customers.
Customers can explore a wide range of products and services, including deposits, loans, and government schemes, through their mobile phones and laptops.
PNB Metaverse utilizes a 3D virtual environment where customers can engage with the bank's offerings using digital avatars, bringing traditional banking activities into the digital age.
Punjab National Bank (PNB), a prominent state-owned bank, has taken a significant step towards embracing the future of banking with the launch of its virtual branch, PNB Metaverse. This innovative initiative promises to deliver a unique and immersive banking experience to both existing and new customers. Through PNB Metaverse, customers can now explore a wide range of products and services, including bank deposits, loans, digital offerings, and government schemes, all from the comfort of their homes or offices using their mobile phones and laptops.
PNB has developed a state-of-the-art virtual environment called the Bank's Metaverse Branch, which provides exclusive access to customers. This environment enables customers to engage with the bank's offerings using their digital avatars, resulting in an immersive 3D experience. From performing traditional banking activities to exploring various financial solutions, PNB Metaverse offers a seamless and convenient platform that brings banking into the digital age.
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The introduction of the Metaverse represents a new phase in the evolution of the internet. It transforms the online landscape from a collection of disconnected websites and applications into a persistent 3D environment. Similar to walking from the office to a nearby movie theater, users can seamlessly transition between work-related tasks and social platforms within the virtual space. PNB's Managing Director, Atul Kumar Goel, emphasized the potential of this technology to enhance customer engagement, streamline the customer acquisition process, and deliver hyper-personalized experiences.
With PNB Metaverse, Punjab National Bank is demonstrating its commitment to embracing technological advancements and staying at the forefront of the banking industry. By providing customers with a virtual branch experience, the bank is not only adapting to the changing needs of the digital-savvy customer but also expanding its reach to a broader audience. As the concept of the Metaverse gains momentum, PNB's initiative positions it as a forward-thinking institution that is ready to navigate the future of banking with innovation and customer-centricity at its core.


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Job growth slowed much more than expected in January as the economy added just 151,000 jobs, but the report was seemingly strong in all the ways that might keep the Federal Reserve itching to raise interest rates again.
Average hourly wages rose 0.5%, the second-biggest monthly gain going all the way back to 2008. Meanwhile, the jobless rate fell to 4.9%, the lowest since February 2008, and the labor force participation rate rose for a third straight month, to 62.7%.
A tighter labor market begets higher wage growth and puts upward pressure on inflation. This is what Fed policymakers expect to happen, it's why they raised rates in December, and it's why investors are apparently beginning to fear they could do so again as soon as March -- despite the sharp decline in job gains.
That may be one reason why stocks sold off sharply Friday, with the S&P 500 down 1.85% at the closing bell, while the dollar rose against other currencies. The Nasdaq tumbled 3.25%, as grim forecasts from LinkedIn (LNKD) and Tableau (DATA) triggered widespread concern about business spending on software generally.
But a closer look at the details of the jobs report suggests more reason to be worried about the economy weakening than to fear another Fed hike. Not only were overall job gains lackluster and lower for a third straight month, but a large portion of those gains are more than a bit puzzling and probably not something to count on going forward.
Manufacturers added a surprising 29,000 jobs -- tied for the best gain since early 2012. Yet that reading stands in stark contrast to the Institute for Supply Management manufacturing survey earlier in the week showing factories shedding jobs at the fastest pace since 2009. While not as dismal, ADP reported that factory payrolls were unchanged in January.
Meanwhile, the trade deficit widened in December as exports fell for a third straight month, rising 6.9% vs. a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Friday. U.S. manufacturers are struggling as a higher dollar makes it even harder to compete in a sluggish global economy.
Retail Jobs Spike Amid Layoffs, Warnings?
Then there's the retail sector, which added 57,700 jobs, or 38% of the total gain. The best month of retail hiring in more than three years came even as Wal-Mart (WMT) said it would lay off 10,000 workers and close 154 U.S. stores (though the closings came after the payroll survey week) and as Macy's (M) closed 40 stores and announced 2,500 layoffs.
Most of the retail job gains appear to be a statistical quirk related to seasonal adjustment.
"Department stores, an industry having a difficult time by any measure, increased payrolls by 13,200 -- primarily because they didn't hire as many in the fall to lay off a lot in January," said Steve Blitz, chief economist at ITG Investment Research.
Electronics and appliance retailers like Best Buy (BBY) added 8,600 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, the best gain in nine years. That doesn't seem to square with reality, as the sector faces brutal competition from Amazon (AMZN). Nor does it square with the picture Best Buy painted when it reported disappointing holiday sales amid weak demand and price cuts for the Apple (AAPL) iPhone 6S and iPad.
Seasonally unadjusted data show that electronics retailers added 9,200 fewer workers in November and December compared to a year earlier, then trimmed payrolls by 6,000 fewer in January 2016 vs. January 2015.
On the other hand, IHS Global Insight chief economist Nariman Behravesh notes that temp hiring swung from a 25,100 gain in December to a 25,200 drop in January. That's not likely to be repeated either.
ITG Investment's Blitz concludes: "Given all this noise and that it is way too soon for current market turmoil to impact real economic activity . . . (we'll have to) wait for February data to begin to get a sense of whether trending demand for labor is shifting."
Minimum-Wage Hike Impact
There also is reason — actually 14 of them — to wonder if the 0.5% jump in hourly wages last month really represents a shift in the trend. That's because 14 states raised their minimum wages on January 1, directly affecting 2.8 million workers, according to the liberal Economic Policy Institute. California's $1 hike to $10 an hour was the most consequential.
The think tank estimated that the minimum wage hike would lead employers to raise wages for another 1.9 million workers earning close to the new minimum to avoid paying more senior workers the same as less senior ones at the cost of morale.
It remains to be seen if the higher minimum wages depress job growth to any extent. Low-wage hiring does appear to have slowed last year in the six cites which implemented big minimum wage hikes to $10 an hour or more last year.
Even the strong household survey, which showed that the number of people with jobs surged by 615,000 last month (or 409,000 excluding a population adjustment), probably isn't giving a reliable signal. That's not to say the jobless rate is higher than 4.9%, but only that it can't be counted on to give a reliable estimate of employment gains in any given month. For example, in the third quarter of 2015, the payroll survey showed an increase of 192,000 jobs a month, while the household survey showed a gain of 73,000.
A slower pace of hiring was expected after gains averaged 279,000 in the fourth quarter but economic growth slowed to just 0.7%. Economists had expected a gain of about 188,000 jobs in January.
The workweek rose 0.1 hour to 34.6 hours, meaning that the increase in work was better than the headline 151,000 job gain. Still, the payroll report offered one more not-so-great sign for the strength of hiring going forward: Outside of manufacturing, 57.6% of industries added jobs last month, down from 65.3% the prior two months.
Image provided by Shutterstock.


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In a bid to counter escalating competition from industry giants Alibaba Group and TikTok, Sea Group recently unveiled an aggressive strategy to bolster its e-commerce business, particularly the Shopee platform, which constitutes 70% of its total revenue. Forrest Li, the founder and CEO of the company, had previously announced this shift in August, emphasizing the need to prioritize market share and maintain a competitive edge. However, the repercussions of this move are evident in Sea’s third-quarter results, leading to a 22% drop in its New York-listed shares, the most significant decline since August.
Sea Group reported a 4.9% year-on-year rise in sales to reach USD 3.3 billion for the third quarter of 2023, slightly surpassing the average estimate of USD 3.2 billion. Despite this positive top-line growth, the company experienced a return to a quarterly loss of USD 144 million, signaling a departure from three consecutive profitable periods. The unexpected setback was attributed to the nearly doubling of sales and marketing costs to USD 918 million compared to the previous quarter. This decline triggered concerns among investors about the sustainability of Sea’s high-growth strategy.
Sea’s strategic shift revolves around aggressive spending to strengthen its e-commerce unit, Shopee, positioning it in direct competition with industry heavyweights including Alibaba’s Lazada and TikTok. The entry of PDD Holding’s Temu into the Southeast Asian e-commerce arena further intensifies the competition, challenging Sea Group’s dominance.
The decision to double down on e-commerce aligns with the rapidly evolving consumer landscape in Southeast Asia, where digital platforms are gaining popularity, especially among younger shoppers. Li’s declaration in August to invest more in Shopee and livestreaming, aimed at countering competitors, triggered a sell-off in Sea’s shares, reflecting the market’s response to the company’s high-risk strategy.
Compounding Sea Group’s challenges are expectations that Southeast Asia’s internet economy will log its slowest growth on record this year, a result of an economic downturn with uncertain outcomes.
Sea Group is now competing not only with industry giants Alibaba and TikTok but also with local competitors like GoTo Group, which nearly doubled its net revenue during the June quarter. The intense competition is fueled by the emergence of new players and the ever-evolving preferences of the growing online population.
Li acknowledged the challenges but reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing investments to increase market share. With a cash reserve of about USD 8 billion, the company aims to weather the storm and emerge stronger in the long run. Despite concerns among investors about potential profit margin erosion and the risk of a price war with competitors, Li emphasized the need to invest strategically in Shopee and livestreaming as a defensive measure to protect market share.
There may also be a glimmer of hope for Sea Group’s gaming division, Garena. Despite a lack of new blockbuster titles, its popular battle royale game, Free Fire, is on the verge of making a comeback in India after being removed from the country in 2022.
Sea Group’s third-quarter results highlight the intricate dynamics of Southeast Asia’s tech landscape, marked by fierce competition and significant market shifts. While the company’s strategic pivot aligns with evolving consumer trends, the short-term financial setbacks have raised valid concerns. The coming quarters will be pivotal for Sea Group as it navigates challenges, seeks to maintain market leadership, and balances the pursuit of growth with sustainable profitability.


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Sony is expected to offer two new PlayStation 5 bundles next month. According to the Twitter user and analyst MauroNL, the Australian retailer EBGames is presently offering two new PS5 system bundles, each of which includes two DualSense controllers. Based on the more recent CFI-1216A and CFI-1216B versions with 6nm processors, the listings contain both a disc version and a digital bundle. Both of the new PlayStation 5 bundles are scheduled to be released in early February 2023, according to EBGames.
Although Sony has not yet publicly revealed the existence of these new PS5 system bundles, this discovery is quite intriguing. Regardless of the accuracy of these listings, certain PS4 system bundles included two DualShock controllers. Sony released the revised PS5 system with a 6nm AMD Oberon Plus SOC in September 2022. This model has lower temperatures and lower energy consumption than its predecessors.
The PlayStation 5 was introduced in November 2020, and according to a report from last week, Sony sold over 30 million consoles by December 2022. Consumers had difficulty locating Sony’s next-generation system due to strong demand and global chip shortages. Fortunately, as PlayStation’s Jim Ryan stated, these shortages are no longer an issue.
“PS5 supply has improved toward the end of last year, and I’m happy to share that December was the biggest month ever for PS5 console sales and that we have now sold more than 30 million units to consumers worldwide. Everyone who wants a PS5 should have a much easier time finding one at retailers globally, starting from this point forward.”
Sony was compelled to announce a significant price hike for the PlayStation 5 in Europe, China, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Mexico, and Canada in August of last year. According to Ryan, this choice was influenced by the world economy. “We’re seeing high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries. Based on these challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price (RRP) of PlayStation 5 in select markets across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), as well as Canada. There will be no price increase in the United States.”
Sony will introduce two new PlayStation 5 Bundles in Early February, according to retail listings.
Both the digital and disc editions will be available in a bundle with 2 DualSense controllers.
The model numbers are CFI-1216A & CFI-1216B, both with 6nm chips. pic.twitter.com/bNq38WtqAe
— MauroNL (@MauroNL3) January 9, 2023


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The coronavirus may have put a wrench in the 2020 MLB season, but the Milwaukee Brewers are using their time in the dugout to help with the pandemic.
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On Monday, the team released a new line of merchandise inspired by COVID-19. The new t-shirts separate the 'm' and 'b' of the ball-in-glove logo to encourage social distancing, and display the tagline, "Play by the Rules. Keep your Distance."
The tees go on sale for $25 each Monday, and net proceeds will go to local nonprofit organizations who are experiencing increased demands due to COVID-19. You can get yours on the MLB auction website, the Brewers Community Foundation website, or over the phone by calling the Brewers Team Store at 414-902-4750 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
In addition to the $25 shirt, there is also a $15 shipping fee.
The new merchandise is part of the Brewers Community Foundation's goal to positively impact the lives of children and their families in the Greater Milwaukee area, as well as throughout Wisconsin.


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While it may not reach the same level of business implications when compared to the legal battle currently being waged between Canada’s RIM (Research in Motion) and U.S.-based NTS, one thing is certain: when two giants of the golf industry such as Callaway and Titleist start tossing litigation around folks are bound to sit up and take notice.
In a Delaware U.S. District Court last Thursday Callaway Golf filed complaint alleging that the Titleist Pro V1 franchise infringes on four or more specific patents Callaway acquired in its bankruptcy purchase of Top-Flite two years ago.
The patents, commonly being referred to as the Sullivan patents (so named after Michael Sullivan, former Top-Flite vice-president of golf ball research and engineering), are said to focus specifically on a multi-layer golf ball with a solid core and a polyurethane cover.
The complaint states that the Pro V1 line of balls has generated nearly $1 billion in sales “by incorporating the technology disclosed in the Sullivan patents.”
The legal action by Callaway was initiated when negotiations between the two sides recently broke off on this matter.
Sources close to the situation suggest Callaway and Titleist have been in discussions about these patents for several months with little or no progress. Callaway’s latest move could be taken as a way of possibly speeding up the negotiations in hopes of reaching some sort of out-of-court settlement.
Larry Dorman, vice-president of global press and public relations for Callaway had little to say on the situation other than to clarify that the lawsuit was filed, “only after repeated attempts to negotiate a settlement failed.”
Titleist spokesperson, Joe Gomes, is offering up the well worn, “no comment” on the matter and that his company was in a review of the situation.
From an industry perspective this might appear to have battle lines for a titanic heavyweight tussle but expectations are for anything but.
In these types of circumstances a settlement is almost always reached before going to court and rarely, if ever, are the outcomes of these proceedings made public.
The most recent high-profile case occurred last spring when Bridgestone Golf filed its own lawsuit against Titleist alleging its use of 10 patents on solid-ball technology.
Creamer signs with Bridgestone/Precept
The Paula Creamer newsreel continues to get a workout.
Last month the young LPGA Tour sensation signed a three-year deal with Calgary-based Sundog Eyewear, a move which will see her wear Sundog’s exclusively and be intricately involved in her own line of eyewear to debut sometime at the end of 2006 or early 2007.
Now the 19-year-old and reigning LPGA rookie of the year has established her ball of choice and in some quarters it may be considered a surprise.
Bridgestone Golf Inc. has officially announced it has signed Creamer to a deal which will see the Pink Panther play a Precept golf ball on Tour.
Creamer’s first obligation to the deal was at the season opening World Cup of Golf in Sun City where she kicked her year off with a new prototype Precept ball, a ball she had input on in the research and development process.
“This is the first golf ball contract of my career and I am excited that it has come with Bridgestone/Precept Golf, a worldwide leader in golf ball technologies,” said Creamer in a press release. “Everything I do, I do with the goal in mind of becoming the No. 1 ranked women’s player in the world. I firmly believe that the quality of this golf ball and my 100 per cent trust in its performance will help me get there.”
Clearly, there is excitement on the part of Bridgestone who already have Q-School medallist Ai Miyazato inked to a top-to-bottom equipment deal in Japan.
“Paula is a very special talent,” said Hisashi Kawano, president, Bridgestone Sports Inc. “I believe her combination of a fun attitude, pioneering sense of fashion and awe inspiring performance makes her the perfect player to bring Bridgestone Golf’s technological edge to the LPGA Tour.”
Callaway Golf makes improvements to HX Tour and HX Tour 56
The winning ball in more than 70 championships including the U.S. Open and PGA Championship has been tweaked for 2006.
Changes to Callaway Golf’s HX Tour and HX Tour 56 golf ball products won’t be noticeable upon first glance but according to Callaway a new manufacturing process called RIM and a new finishing system makes its premium ball products superior to its predecessors.
RIM refers to Reaction Injection Molding, that part of the manufacturing process that locks in the core and mantle layers while helping to ensure maximum concentricity of the product.
The new Callaway finishing system is said to create better adhesion, improved gloss retention thus allowing the HX Tour and HX Tour 56 to keep their finish longer.
Pricing changes to the new products are not expected.
Yes! Golf Unveils Carolyne
One of golf’s truly underrated putter brands has added another model to its stable.
Earlier this week Yes! Golf officially introduced ‘Carolyne’ as its 15th model. The centre-shafted Carolyne, made from 304 stainless steel, comes standard with Yes! Golf’s hallmark C-Groove technology and maintains the company’s rather ingenious tradition of naming its putter line with feminine names.
“We received great feedback on the Carolyne putter from club pros and retailers during the PGA Merchandise Show and Demo Day,” said Dave Richardson, director of sales, Yes! Golf. “As with all the putters in our line, customers are amazed how much sooner the ball rolls off the putter face with the C-Groove technology.”
Yes! Golf made more news this week when it announced the signing of former Canadian Open winner and PGA Tour veteran David Frost to an endorsement deal.
“The technology behind the C-groove putter is incredible,” stated Frost. “When you do a direct comparison on the video cam with a YES! C-groove putter and a traditional putter you can really see the ball creating forward rolling motion much faster off a Yes! putter. The C-grooves help impart over the top rolling motion which eliminates a great deal of the initial hopping and skidding you get from traditional putters.”
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but expect Frost to play a key marketing and promotional role for Yes! Golf in the months ahead.


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G Rajadurai, 33, who had been working in an automobile showroom in the city, wanted to start his own business around two years ago. Driven by the information he had read in a book about mushroom cultivation, he went about learning the ropes. "I did a one-day course on mushroom cultivation and also travelled to a lot of mushroom farms around the state," he says.
Today, he runs his own oyster mushroom farm at Athappa Gounden Pudur near the city. He harvests around 80kg a day on the one-acre farm and sells them for around Rs125 per kilogram. Mushrooms have been a favourite in Coimbatore for around 20 years, say cultivators. "Even when mushrooms were unknown in Chennai, Coimbatore residents were seeking mushrooms from outlets," says A R Subramanian, who has been cultivating oyster mushrooms in the city for 20 years. Today, from bakeries to roadside 'kaalan' outlets, mushrooms have almost become a staple....Read more
Source web page:Times of India


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Several have found a unique way to pass the time amid the pandemic-induced lockdown – home gardening and growing organic vegetables. This could be partly due to a quest to find a hobby, and partly because of an increased focus on health and nutrition amid a global health crisis.
The Surti family of Surat are part of that section of society that has found solace and a healthy lifestyle within the confines of their home. The family of five, which spans three generations, has taken advantage of the period of confinement to expand their garden at home.
Subhash Surti, together with his father Harishchandra, his wife Raksha and their two children, grows 15 medicinal plants, almost all seasonal vegetables, eight varieties of fruits and several flowering plants. In total, there are over 400 trees and plants in this house.
âWhile I have been growing plants around the house for a long time, all of my family, including my children, only started helping out when the pandemic arrived. Many of our neighbors have also started the activity in their own homes, âsays Subhash.
The real meaning of magic comes from a special element of this family garden: the potato in the vines.
Three generations of amateur gardeners
Usually, potatoes are grown underground. However, this particular variety, imported from a mountainous region, took almost two years to give a decent harvest, he says.
Subhash attended a weeklong terrace gardening course from Surat Krishi Vigyan Kendra, where he learned the technical know-how, good potting techniques, knowledge of seasonal farming, etc.
He says that because the family has limited space around the house, they grow plants in the yard and patio. âWe bought this house 15 years ago and have been gardening ever since. We try to grow at least 30 percent of the vegetables we need for our own daily use, âhe explains.
Of the âaerial potato,â he says he found it while trekking, which is another of his favorite hobbies. âWhile traveling in Gir Forest three years ago, I saw potatoes growing in vines. Local people explained that this type of potato is rich in starch. I planted a sapling at home, which showed good growth for a year, but no potatoes grew. We took extra care of the plant and after two years it has paid off, âsays Subhash.
He uses about 1,000 square feet of his patio and a 3 Ã 14 foot yard at the side of the house to grow plants. Here, he grows seasonal vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, fenugreek, brinjal, beans, cilantro, chili peppers, and bitter gourd, as well as regular vegetables like lady’s finger, pumpkin, gourd, onion, beans and taro root.
Among the fruits mainly cultivated by the family are pomegranate, phalsa, guava, amla, star fruit, banana, mulberry and bael. Apart from these, tall trees like moringa, guava and amla can be seen towering over the house.
Subhash, an engineer by profession, says: âAs the fruits need good sunlight, I grow them on the terrace. The rest of the vegetables are planted in the yard, where only limited sunlight is available.
Subhash and his father are very fond of medicinal plants. In their garden, they grow two varieties of Aparajita plants, as well as turmeric, lemongrass, five types of basil, giloy, malabar nut, brahmi, ajwain, paan camphor, mint and big cardamom. Subhash says his wife loves flowering plants.
Asked about the benefits of home-grown vegetables, he replied: âWe can easily spot the difference. Organic vegetables taste better than those on the market. We can also eat them raw with confidence. These vegetables take less time to cook.
His two children Hetav and Swara began to take the time to garden during confinement and now water each plant regularly, he adds.
Meanwhile, Subhash’s father, who is 78, says, âIt gives me great pleasure to see so many plants in the house. Before, we only grew a few seasonal vegetables.
âWhen we started living here 15 years ago, none of the 16 houses in this company were gardening except our own. But today almost all houses have a small garden. All the credit goes to the pandemic, as people have become more health conscious, âSubhash said.
Read this story in Hindi here.
(Edited by Divya Sethu)


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Employers have been told to consult staff and trade unions to ensure their workplace is safe, as employees begin to return to the workplace.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said every firm should carry out a "risk assessment" of the workplace, and post the findings on a wall for everyone to see.
He was speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference, as the government attempted to reassure workers that it is safe to go back to work.
Mr Sharma said firms could introduce measures such as barriers and screens, to separate workers; "partnering", so that if staff had to come into close contact with a colleague then it was the same person every time, and frequent cleaning of workplaces.
He said: "To employers I say, use this support and guidance to know you are doing the right thing, and work with your unions and workers to keep each other safe.
"And to workers I say, we are looking out for you. We want you to feel confident that you are financially supported and returning to a safe workplace.
"Because in this time like no other, we all need to work together safely as we rebuild our economy."
The Government is attempting to persuade workers who cannot work from home to return to offices, factories, construction sites and other workplaces. The lockdown rules have always stated that employees who cannot work from home were free to go to work, but Ministers believe some firms have voluntarily chosen to stop operating while some staff have stayed away even if their employer was still running.
Mr Sharma also said shops would be expected to follow safety rules when they re-open. The Government hopes to re-open many shops that are currently closed from June 1.
The latest figures from the Department of Health show a total of 32,692 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Monday, up by 627 from 32,065 the day before.
Earlier, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the Government’s furlough scheme is to be extended until the end of October. Workers who are furloughed will continue to receive 80% of their pay, up to £2,500 a month
But the Government will only fund the furlough scheme in full until the end of July. After that, companies will be expected to make a contribution to the payments, although the amount workers take home will not fall below the 80% mark.
The furlough policy has supported seven million jobs at a cost of £14 billion a month.
In a sign that the parts of the economy may be slowly re-opening, McDonald’s announced it is to reopen its first 30 drive-through restaurants as early as next week.
McDonald’s will open its first 15 pilot restaurants from 11am on Wednesday for deliveries only.
It comes as fast food rival Subway reopens more than 600 of its UK stores on Tuesday for delivery and takeaway, as it serves customers for the first time since the lockdown.
Face masks may become a more common sight in weeks to come, after Government’s road map for helping Britain exit lockdown stated that people should wear face coverings when they are in “an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet”, for instance in some shops or on public transport.


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Increased Interest in Visiting Iceland
Since July 16, when German tourists were exempted from coronavirus testing at Icelandic borders, their interest in visiting Iceland has increased, Pétur Óskarsson, CEO of Viator, a travel agency specializing in tours for people from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, tells Morgunblaðið.
In addition to residents of Germany, those of Denmark, Finland and Norway have been exempt from border testing since July 16. The same has been true for residents of the Faroe Islands and Greenland Since May 14.
“The decision [to exempt Germans from testing] changed a lot and has resulted in fewer cancelations,” Pétur states. This decision did not get much coverage in German news media, he adds, but thanks to Facebook groups dedicated to travel in Iceland, the news spread and had a positive effect.
Pétur reports that his company is receiving new bookings for September and October, and that this summer the hope is to prevent cancelations of reservations already made.
Most bookings from Germany are generally made long in advance, meaning that the bulk of reservations for the summer had already been made before the pandemic hit.
Hallgrímur Lárusson, owner and CEO of the tour operator Snæland-Grímsson, agrees that exemptions from border testing have resulted in fewer cancelations. A large number of the company’s customers come from Scandinavia and Germany.
“People were reluctant to undergo testing. They worried about the test results and about their trip being lost once they arrived in Iceland,” Hallgrímur explains.


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Symphony Ltd founder and chairman Achal Bakeri said the loss of summer season last year was like losing the full year since for the cooler category, sales happen only during summer unlike AC and fans which are sold round the year.
“Our sales in current year will be similar to what we used to do many years back. All the indication suggests that the summer of 2021 will be fairly good one with buoyancy in the market. We are writing off 2020-21 as a bad dream having achieved 50-60% of previous year sales so far,” said Bakeri.
The company expects the commercial, industrial range and sales in international markets too will pick up next financial year.
Symphony sells its products to 60 countries and Bakeri said the company is also the largest air cooler manufacturer in world with far bigger international business than even the Chinese players. He said the international business accounts for almost 45% of its total sales.
Bakeri said there has been significant pressure on cost due to increase in commodity prices and freight which has further put pressure on the margins.
“We have managed the margin pressure by a mix of price hikes, cost reduction and reduction in trade margins. Hence, the price increase has been in single digit while the overall cost has gone up in low double digit,” he said.
The company has provided its solutions in Mecca-Madina at Hajj Camp and Ramdev Patanjali Yoga Bhavan.
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LUBBOCK, Texas – The worst drought in Texas' history has caused the largest one-year decline in the leading cattle-state's cow herd, reports The Associated Press. As the number of cattle drops while demand remains strong, the decline increases the possibility of the US experiencing increased beef prices.
David Anderson, who monitors beef markets for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, said that since Jan. 1 Texas cow numbers have declined by approximately 600,000, a 12 percent drop from the approximately 5 million cows the state had at the beginning of 2011. This probably marks the largest decline in cow numbers any state has ever experienced, although Texas had a larger percentage decline from 1934 to 1935, during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, he added.
Many cows in Texas were moved where ever there was grass, but many cattle were slaughtered, Anderson said. About 200,000 more cattle were slaughtered this year in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas – up 20 percent over last year, he added.
Although the extra supply could help meet beef export demands from other countries, the loss of cattle probably means there will be fewer cattle in the future.
Consumers will end up paying more for beef because there will be less beef, Anderson said. In 2012, beef prices will increase up to 5.5 percent in 2012, in part because the number of cattle has declined, the US Department of Agriculture estimates. That follows a 9 percent increase in beef prices in the past year.
Oklahoma, which is the second-largest cattle producer in the US, also experienced about a 12 percent drop in cows, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State Univ. agriculture economist. Beef production nationally will decrease 4 percent next year, Anderson said.
Texas’ problem is primarily due to the worst single-year drought in its history. It received only 46 percent of its normal rainfall of about 26 inches from January through November. A La Niña weather pattern, which brings drier than normal conditions to the southwestern states, caused the drought. La Niña is back, forecasters added, meaning another dry year for Texas, Oklahoma and other neighboring states.
Throughout Texas, the drought has caused an estimated $5.2 billion in losses to farmers and livestock producers, and that figure is expected to increase.
It's not clear if high beef prices will hurt US sales or limit US beef exports, Anderson said. Eating 85.5 lbs. of beef per year, the US is the world’s third-largest consumer of beef per capita. Consuming 137 lbs. per capita, Uruguay is number one.


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The iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad with Retina display officially went on sale today at 8 a.m. local time in 34 countries around the globe. While initial supplies of the new iPad minis ran out within days of the company accepting pre-orders from its online store, the device is finally available today from its brick-and-mortar stores. With shipping estimates slipping for the new iPads, it was unclear just how much stock would be available on launch day. Today, several reports noted that Apple Stores are met with much smaller lines than usual.
The video above is courtesy of Fortune’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt where a decent lineup of 500+ showed up for the launch at its Fifth Avenue store in New York. Apple ended up pushing the launch at the location to 10 a.m. due to worries employees would not arrive on time because of Sandy. Lines at Apple Stores on the east coast could have also been impacted by the aftermath of the storm.
Reuters reported only about 50 people waited outside the Apple store in Sydney, Australia, while around 100 queued outside stores in Tokyo and Seoul. The lines were much shorter elsewhere, with many tweeting images showing only a handful or less in line at stores around the United States and elsewhere.
However, many reports fail to mention only the Wi-Fi-only models are launching today. The LTE cellular models are expected to roll out two weeks later, which could be a big reason why the photos from around the globe (below) show lines quite shorter than previous product launches.
A photo from an Apple Store in Amsterdam, Netherlands this morning (via Flickr) is above.
Covent Garden Apple Store in London. (via Twitter)
Eaton Centre Apple Store in Toronto, Canada. (via Twitter)
The Salt Lake City store. (via Instagram)
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Tampa-based transportation telematics firm Pegasus TransTech recently named Mark Spicer as its vice president of integrated solutions to lead sales and product strategy for its Transflo brand.
Spicer brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role and most recently worked with Rand McNally. He offers practical know-how in transport technology and logistics, mobile communications and fleet navigation.
Spicer earned a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from the University of Memphis.
“Mark joins the company with an impressive background that includes driving adoption of transportation technology among enterprise fleets, and we’re excited to have him expand Transflo partnerships and integrations,” Pegasus TransTech President and CEO Frank Adelman said.
Transflo is a system utilized by thousands of trucker and freight broker operations. It functions by connecting clients to electronic resources for load management, route logistics, dispatch communications and delivery documents from any location.
“Technology has created a pivotal moment for the transportation industry,” Spicer said. “The Transflo brand and technologies are highly respected throughout the industry, and I look forward to connecting enterprise fleets with new solutions, better user experiences, and greater value.”


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Twitter has supplied some new insights into its product and development methods as a part of its newest Analyst Day overview for traders.
And the platform has set itself some formidable targets – check out these projections for person development:
That is 123 million extra customers to be added throughout the subsequent three years (Twitter is at present at 192m mDAU). For context, Twitter has added solely 83 million mDAU over the past three years. Twitter’s additionally seeking to double its income, rising from $3.7 billion in 2020, to not less than $7.5 billion in 2023.
Some formidable development targets certainly, and aggressive objectives for Jack Dorsey and Co.
So how will Twitter do it?
The corporate has a couple of new initiatives within the works – first off, Twitter’s growing numerous new subscription-based options, which can allow creators to monetize their Twitter following.
The primary factor on this entrance will incorporate its current acquisition, e-newsletter maker Revue, which Twitter is working to combine into Twitter profiles with new ‘Subscribe’ buttons to drive sign-ups.
Twitter has already began to integrate Revue into the broader Twitter experience, offering a straightforward method for Twitter customers to create their very own e-newsletter, which they, ideally, can then monetize by way of their on-platform viewers. By prompting extra customers to get into newsletters, they’ll then begin to section extra devoted viewers groupings, which won’t solely result in direct income choices like this, but additionally new advert choices by way of e-newsletter placements.
Along with this, Twitter’s additionally engaged on a brand new ‘Super Follower’ option, which can allow Twitter customers to straight monetize their presence by providing unique content material to paying members.
You’ll be able to see within the beneath screenshots (posted by Jane Manchun Wong) that customers will quickly have the ability to present content material for Tremendous followers solely, with Areas that solely Tremendous followers can be a part of, tweets that solely Tremendous followers can view and reply to, and unique Fleets for paying members.
Bloomberg reported earlier within the month that Twitter is contemplating several new subscription and revenue options with a view to lowering the corporate’s reliance on adverts, whereas additionally offering extra incentive to maintain high customers tweeting extra typically. ‘Tremendous’ seems to be the place it is headed on this, which may open up new alternatives for platform influencers to subsidize their efforts.
However it’s not simply particular person creators that Twitter’s seeking to enhance – the corporate can be working by itself variation of teams, with new, devoted Communities on the platform.
As you may see right here, Twitter’s Communities would supply new methods to share content material with devoted teams, not your entire followers, increasing the platform’s give attention to topic-driven discussions, not simply particular person profiles.
Certainly, Twitter says that matters are driving a significant increase in recurring usage, and as such, it is also seeking to considerably increase the quantity of matters to select from ahead.
Communities works alongside the identical traces, whereas it may additionally change the best way Twitter is used, with individuals in a position to extra particularly interact in several discussions with out having to create a separate profile. That might additionally preserve individuals engaged for longer, as they shift round between their differing areas of curiosity with devoted areas within the app.
And one other mission of curiosity – Twitter is growing devoted enterprise profiles, which would come with extra enterprise data.
Creating separate enterprise profiles, like Fb and Instagram, may facilitate a variety of latest alternatives, each for enterprise promotion, and for Twitter itself in categorizing and managing publicity and attain.
It is fascinating to think about the various implications of those new approaches, and the way they’re going to contribute to Twitter’s development. The platform’s utilization has slowed within the US in current instances – which is a priority, on condition that Twitter was the platform of alternative for former US President Donald Trump. The view was that Trump’s affinity for tweets would drive extra utilization and engagement, and with out a Trump enhance, that would gradual the platform’s momentum. However Twitter notes that it is seeing elevated development in new markets, with a 74% increase in mDAU in India particularly.
That presents a complete new set of alternatives, and if Twitter may present extra incentive to maintain customers on-platform for longer, and tweeting extra typically, that, ideally, will see it meet its new development targets.
However it is going to be a problem. The platform has been pushing more durable to introduce extra new components sooner in current instances, and a part of that push has come from activist investors, who’ve primarily given CEO Jack Dorsey a deadline to both enhance the corporate’s efficiency, or transfer on from the function. That is probably behind this new, formidable development technique, and that, inevitably, will put Twitter up in opposition to it.
Can the corporate, which has been notoriously gradual in its product growth previously, all of the sudden and quickly enhance its momentum to satisfy these new benchmarks?
123 million new customers in three years will likely be robust, however there are some fascinating developments on the playing cards.
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TOKYO -- Japanese consumers are rushing to buy expensive appliances, clothing and jewelry before the country's consumption tax increase on Oct. 1, retailers say, and the trend portends a drop-off in spending afterward.
At big-box electronics store chain Bic Camera, refrigerator sales climbed about 30% on the year in August.
Large-capacity units are among the best performers ahead of the tax hike, which will raise the rate to 10% from 8%.
Washing machine sales soared 40% in August. Bic Camera's flagship store in Tokyo's Yurakucho district enjoyed a 60% jump in demand for front-loading machines that cost over 200,000 yen ($1,880).
Steering Asia's second-largest economy through the tax hike presents one of the biggest near-term challenges for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government.
The government has rolled out incentives for buyers of automobiles and housing to smooth out any wild swings in demand around the tax increase. But for other big-ticket items, it is a race against the clock to score the cheapest price.
Electronics chain Nojima's sales of televisions with organic light-emitting diode displays more than tripled on the year during the past two weeks.
Much of the traffic came from customers looking to replace models that they purchased about a decade ago under the Japanese government's "eco-point" stimulus program, which was meant to offset the economic slowdown following the 2008 global financial crisis.
Not only do many of those TVs have a lifespan of around a decade, customers also are looking for high-tech models ahead of the Tokyo Summer Olympics next year.
Shoppers have splurged on expensive clothing, both modern and traditional. At Takashimaya department stores, sales have risen 40% between March and August for long-sleeved kimonos priced at hundreds of thousands of yen.
Takashimaya's Nihonbashi location in Tokyo began displaying down coats in early August, a month and a half ahead of schedule. Though the coats mostly sell for at least 100,000 yen, the store reportedly moved more than 60 of them.
Other retailers aim to take advantage of the purchasing boom. Jewelers K. Mikimoto & Co. and Tasaki are launching sales promotions in September for the first time in years. Even Hasegawa, a purveyor of household Buddhist altars, embarked on a sale last month. The company reported a 20% year-on-year jump in sales of the pricey fixtures during a week in late August.
Makers of alcoholic beverages are jumping on the bandwagon. Though the consumption tax hike will exempt food items, the exception does not apply to hard drinks.
Asahi Breweries is raising output of Super Dry beer in cans by 20% this month. Kirin Brewery will boost production of the no-malt beer alternative Honkirin by 80%.
Japan last increased the consumption tax rate in April 2014. Private spending rose 2% in the January-March quarter of that year, according to gross domestic product data. Yet once the hike took effect, spending sank 4.8% during the second quarter. Autos and homes were the chief targets of last-minute demand at the time.
But the 2014 tax hike lifted the rate to 8% from 5%, a larger margin than the 2 percentage-point increase this year.
Ryoichi Yamamoto, president of J. Front Retailing, expects both the peak in demand before the tax increase and the downturn afterward to be smaller compared with 2014.
Private-sector think tanks estimate the tax bump will lift consumer spending by 400 billion yen during the fiscal year ending in March 2020, then depress spending by 1.1 trillion yen in the following fiscal year.