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Realme 8 5G key specifications revealed ahead of global launch on April 21
Realme 8 5G key specifications have been revealed in the heads up to the global launch which is scheduled for April 21 in Thailand. Realme has been teasing the launch of the 5G variant of the Realme 8 in India as well and a microsite has gone live both on the Realme India website and on Flipkart. Realme’s microsite has confirmed that the upcoming Realme 8 5G will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G processor that was launched earlier this week in India. With this, Realme 8 5G will become one of the first Dimensity 700 powered phones to arrive in India.
The official Instagram page of Realme Thailand has also revealed some key features of the Realme 8 in a bid to get the ball rolling for the April 21 announcement. The Realme 8 is now confirmed to feature a 6.5-inch display that supports a 90Hz refresh rate. The display, which is likely to be a Full HD LCD panel is also confirmed to feature a punch-hole notch cutout in the top-left corner.
The Realme 8 5G also has a side-mounted fingerprint reader. The company has also confirmed that the phone measures 8.5 millimetres in thickness and weighs 185 grams. Realme has not officially revealed the launch date of the Realme 8 in India just yet, however, the Flipkart listing indicates that the company will announce more details on April 16. There are also speculations that the Realme 8 5G could be based on the Realme V13 5G which was launched in March in China.
Realme V13 5G specifications
The Realme V13 5G features a 6.5-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution display that supports a 90Hz refresh rate. It has a punch-hole cutout on the top-left corner and the phone measures 8.5 millimetres in thickness and weighs 185 grams. This is in line with the company’s teaser for the Realme 8 5G.
Moreover, the V13 is also powered by the Dimensity 700 processor with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 GPU. This is paired with 8GB RAM and upto 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage options to choose from. It will likely run on Android 11 based Realme UI 2.0 out-of-the-box.
The Realme V13 has triple cameras on the back that consists of a primary 48MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture, 2MP macro camera and 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera housed within the notch cutout.
The Realme V13 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging out of the box.


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In May, according to the NPD Group, a sales and marketing research firm based in Port Washington, New York, notebook computer sales finally surpassed sales of traditional PCs. Notebooks now account for 54 percent of the nearly $500 million retail computer market, the firm says, up from only 25 percent in January 2000.
"Notebooks sales have grown pretty steadily in recent months," says Stephen Baker, director of industry analysis at NPD Group. "In retail stores, they've just edged in front of desktops in terms of dollar volume."
Baker also says that May was the first time LCDs garnered a larger market share than CRTs. In May 2002, LCDs accounted for only 22 percent of all monitor sales. In 2003, that figure more than doubled, rising to 52 percent.
Mikako Kitagawa, a principal analyst with Gartner, a technology research firm, traces the steep rise of the notebook back to the end of 2001, when laptop prices first dropped below $1,000. "A laptop was an expensive product until about a year and a half ago," she says, "and then, when notebooks hit sub-$1000 price points, demand popped right up." Likewise, the market has seen a significant drop in the prices of LCD displays.
But notebooks and LCDs are still slightly more expensive than their more-traditional counterparts. Sales increases are also the result of subtle changes in the way we use PCs. As computers have moved into the living room, imitating stereos, DVD players, and televisions, the sleek, svelte design of an LCD has become more and more attractive. "You don't want a 19-inch CRT in your living room," says NPD Group's Baker. "You want something smaller and more stylish."
Likewise, the proliferation of 802.11b, which allows wireless access to networks, has made notebooks particularly attractive. By 2006, says research firm InStat/MDR, more than 4,000 Starbucks coffee shops will offer wireless hotpots. According to the Campus Computing Project, a continuing study that tracks technology use in higher education, over 90 percent of public universities now run some sort of wireless LAN and over ten percent provide campus-wide wireless access. Such networks are even spreading through American homes. "Every month, we see a 150 percent growth in retail sales of wireless equipment," Baker says.

domain: news


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The distributor claims Chromebook devices have been growing in appeal to both business and public sector users
Tech Data is to launch a serious of events and online programming designed to help promote and educate B2B reseller partners about Google Chromebook devices, such as the ASUS ‘Cave’ or Acer Chromebook R 11.
Chromebook products enable users to install and operate Android applications on them. The Basingstoke-based distributor claims recent compatibility with the Microsoft Office suite for Android has helped increase Chromebook appeal for both business and public sector users.
According to Global Markets Insight, sales of Chromebook devices worldwide are expected to grow from 5.3 million units in 2014 to a forecasted 17 million by 2023. Increasing demand for PCs in schools is forecast to be the major driver of this demand.
Further details about the events and programming are yet to be announced.
Tech Data Google business development manager Matt Beresford said: “Chromebooks are easy to maintain and affordable. They are also extremely portable and much easier to manage. These are big advantages over traditional PCs.
“It is already possible for Chrome OS to run Android apps and access the Google Play Store and with the Office 365 access available as well, Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices are a much more attractive proposition for everyday business use. It is easier to use a Chrome device offline and that’s really useful.”


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The concept of real time demand using remotely sensed vessel position data is predicated on the ability to draw conclusion about a vessel’s condition at a certain point in time. The ability to capture daily [...]
The global bunker industry looks set for a pivotal year in 2018 as buyers and sellers come under increasing pressure to decide how to respond to impending emissions limit cuts. The International Maritime Organization is [...]
Chevron Shipping Company (CSC) has further cemented its long-standing relationship with the GAC Group by awarding it a global three-year ship agency contract for both crude and LNG vessels. The new agreement secures GAC’s status [...]
China disputed claims Tuesday about inadequate efforts to save the crew of tanker Sanchi, saying they are “untrue and irresponsible.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing that China mobilized nine [...]
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, hit a more than four-month low on Tuesday, as capesize rates dropped to their lowest since August last year. The [...]
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL), a containership charter owner, announced that it has agreed to an extension of its charter with CMA CGM for the GSL Tianjin, a 2005-built, 8,063 TEU containership. The vessel will [...]
THE BUNKER BOOK XI
We have started taking orders for The Bunker Book XI (Hard Copy, Pen Drive & Digital Copy on Mobile Application), which will be out for circulation in the month of Nov-2017. The A4 size directory with more than 290 pages comes along with a unique credit card shape “8 GB Pen Drive” is your one stop source for all the Bunker Suppliers, Traders, Brokers and Oil & Lube companies globally.
Price : USD $200 (Including Postage)
WORLD DIRECTORY OF SHIP SUPPLIERS
The A4 size directory published in TWO volumes is your one stop guide as it covers entire world of ship suppliers as per their line of business covered in TWO major sections of Marine Equipment Suppliers and Ship Chandlers/ Suppliers providing essential contacts in an alphabetical country wise listing to ensure easy searchable details as per the need.
Price : USD $249 (Including Postage)
We have started taking orders for our inaugural edition which will be published and circulated from July, 2017. The e-copy (electronic format, PDF file) directory comes in a user friendly/handy pen drive (Credit card shape, 8 GB USB stick) will be published annually in the month of August every year.
Price : USD $350 (Including Postage)


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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of new positions are tunes to several ears at one Memphis-region business enterprise.
Memphis Report Pressing, which produces vinyl documents at its facility in Bartlett, is setting up a $30 million enlargement that will double its range of workers and make it the major vinyl history maker in North The us.
This expansion signifies new positions as the corporation can help fulfill the demand from customers of audio lovers all-around the world.
“It’s a large deal. You know as well as anyone vinyl data, you know, are hot yet again,” Keith McDonald, the Mayor of Bartlett claimed.
In Bartlett, Tennessee, Memphis Record Pressing has been putting its individual spin on vinyl given that 2014.
Mayor Keith McDonald is really thrilled for this advancement in Bartlett, which he stated will add 172 work with an ordinary wage of about $42,000 with added benefits.
“It’s a really fantastic accomplishment. I’m extremely grateful that Memphis Press is carrying out so perfectly,” McDonald reported. “They needed to increase. I’m happy that following their deliberation they made the decision to develop exactly where they were being.”
The mayor mentioned the expense will signify far more than $21 million will go into MRP’s headquarters on Brother Boulevard. They’re introducing 33,000-square-feet of manufacturing room and 34 file presses.
Two decades in the past, WREG spoke with Brandon Seavers, MRP’s co-founder and CEO about his company’s expansion.
“We went from becoming a regional to countrywide corporation to a global corporation,” Seavers stated. “So, the need for our services has truly just skyrocketed.”
Final year, vinyl file sales strike $1 billion, a just about 40-year high. It is a desire staying achieved by MRP as more enthusiasts crave the audio of a history needle hitting vinyl, like the mayor.
“I had a work at an A.M. radio station as a disc jockey so the crackle that goes on in the vinyl, the ambience, the sound that vinyl would make. It is a substantially distinct seem,” Mayor McDonald stated.
The mayor also mentioned Memphis Document Pressing will also make additional than $7 million truly worth of renovations at the company’s warehouse on Appling Middle Drive.
It’ll function as a packaging warehouse and could open up in June.


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Detectives are looking for help identifying brazen ax wielding burglars. On Friday November 16, 2018 about 4:15 a.m., officers from the Modesto Police Department responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 3800 block of McHenry. Upon arrival officers found the front glass door had been smashed out and money lying outside the store. When the store owners arrived officers reviewed video from the store and observed two White or Hispanic males in their late teens to early twenties approach the store wearing hooded jackets, masks and gloves. One subject wearing a backpack used an ax to smash through the thick glass door. Both subjects entered the store and stole cash before fleeing. This burglary occurred in a 24-hour Wal-Mart shopping center and detectives believe someone may have seen this burglary and the vehicle the subjects fled in. Detectives also believe family or friends might recognize these subjects or know they committed this burglary. One or both of the subjects may have injuries that occurred while climbing through the broken glass door. If you have any information regarding this burglary, please call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.
Posted by MODESTO POLICE DEPARTMENT on Saturday, November 17, 2018
Two burglary suspects apparently couldn’t wait until Thanksgiving weekend, and decided to go on a different type of doorbuster spree a week early. Police in Modesto, California responded to a shopping center early Friday morning and found the door of an establishment literally busted open. Security video shows two men approaching a store and one of them attacking the door with an ax.
The property features a Walmart location in the shopping center, but the target was the Royal Flame Tobacco shop neighboring the retail giant.
Officers said they found shards of the glass door and cash strewn about the scene. The Modesto Police Department said in a Facebook post they have yet to identify the suspects, but noted that it’s possible that at least one of them, if not both, could have sustained injuries as a result of entering the store by climbing through the broken glass.
Police officers who responded to the burglary alarm met with the store’s owner, who showed them the above security video. The suspects are said to have made off with an undisclosed sum of cash.
The shopping center is open 24 hours a day, and the Modesto Police Department said they believe the “brazen ax wielding burglars” and a possible getaway vehicle may have been seen by others in the area. They’re also calling on the suspects’ friends and family to come forward if they have any information. Those with tips may receive a cash award, the police said.
[Image via Modesto Police Department screengrab]
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]


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Japan’s mobile market is a dynamic and innovative powerhouse, characterized by its mobile-first approach, app-centric behavior, and tech-savvy consumer base. The market reached approximately $103.6 billion in revenue in 2022, according to GlobalData. This highlights the immense potential for businesses to tap into this market and leverage the country’s tech-savvy population.
In this article, we will dig deeper into the various facets of Japan’s mobile market—first, its demographic traits and preferred mobile OS, then we will explore key consumer behaviors, as well as market dynamics that have contributed to the market’s remarkable growth and success. By understanding the unique characteristics of the Japanese mobile landscape, businesses can unlock immense opportunities and navigate this dynamic market with confidence.
Number of users
Japan boasts a significant number of smartphone users, contributing to its thriving mobile market. According to a summary report about Japan’s mobile economy, mobile device usage time in Japan tripled in the last decade, coming close to 106 minutes per day, per person.
As of 2022, there were approximately 107.12 million smartphone users in Japan, representing a substantial portion of the population (85%). This high adoption rate underscores the country’s mobile-centric culture and the widespread integration of smartphones into daily life.
This number is projected to reach over 94% of the population, or 115.5 million users, by 2027. Over 90% of Japanese adults in their fifties also use smartphones, and nearly all of those in their teens through their forties do so with or without computers.
Japan in numbers
Purpose of using mobile
According to data.ai, the 35-44 age group spent the most time on mobile apps in Japan in 2020, followed closely by the 25-34 age group. Women and men use mobile apps at similar rates in Japan, with perhaps a slight skew towards male users.
Smartphones serve diverse purposes for Japanese users, reflecting their reliance on mobile devices for various activities. The main purposes of smartphone usage can be categorized into several key areas:
- Communication and social networking: Smartphones are integral to communication in Japan, with individuals using messaging apps, social media platforms, and email services to stay connected with family, friends, and colleagues. Popular apps like LINE, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram facilitate these interactions.
- Mobile apps for practical activities: Mobile apps play a crucial role in the daily lives of Japanese smartphone users. They rely on apps for various practical activities such as banking, shopping, transportation, food delivery, and travel planning. Popular apps like Rakuten, Amazon, Yahoo Japan, and Google Maps cater to these needs.
- Entertainment and media consumption: Smartphones serve as portable entertainment hubs, enabling users to enjoy a wide range of media content. From streaming videos and music to playing games and reading e-books, Japanese smartphone users engage in various forms of entertainment through dedicated apps and services.
- Educational purposes: Smartphones are also used as an educational tool in Japan, with studies suggesting Japanese students’ high regard for smartphones and mobile apps for learning purposes.
- Internet browsing and information access: Japanese smartphone users heavily rely on their devices to access the internet, search for information, and browse websites. From news articles and weather updates to research and entertainment, smartphones provide convenient access to a wealth of online content.
Purpose of using mobile in Japan
iOS vs. Android
Japan’s mobile operating system market is dominated by two major players: iOS and Android. According to MMD (in Japanese), a mobile marketing data labo, as of 2021 May, iOS had a market share of around 44.1% in Japan, while Google Play had a market share of approximately 51.5% Other platforms, such as Windows and KaiOS, held a very small share of the market.
Demographic split of iOS users in Japan
- Gender: In Japan, the gender split of iOS users is roughly equal, with slightly more male users than female users. According to a survey conducted by MMD Labo in 2020, 51.8% of iOS users in Japan were male, while 48.2% were female.
- Age: iOS users in Japan tend to be younger than Android users. According to the same survey by MMD Labo, the majority of iOS users in Japan were between the ages of 20 and 39, with the highest percentage of users (31.2%) in the 30-39 age range.
- Income: iOS users in Japan tend to have higher incomes than Android users. According to a survey by GfK in 2020, the average monthly household income of iOS users in Japan was 645,000 yen (approximately $5,900), compared to 485,000 yen (approximately $4,430) for Android users.
Demographic split of iOS users in Japan
Demographic split of Android users in Japan
- Gender: The gender split among Android users in Japan is relatively balanced, with a slightly higher percentage of male users. According to a survey conducted by MMD Labo in 2020, approximately 52.4% of Android users in Japan were male, while 47.6% were female.
- Age: Android users in Japan encompass a wide range of age groups. According to the same survey by MMD Labo, the largest segment of Android users fell into the 40-49 age range, accounting for 26.1% of the user base. However, Android users are present across all age groups, with significant representation from younger demographics as well.
- Income: Android users in Japan show a diverse range of income levels. According to the aforementioned survey by GfK in 2020, the average monthly household income of Android users in Japan was 520,000 yen (approximately $4,750).
Demographic split of Android users in Japan
iOS consumers characteristics
iOS consumers in Japan possess certain distinct characteristics that contribute to their preferences and behaviors within the mobile market. Here are some key characteristics of iOS consumers in Japan:
- Tech-savvy and early adopters: iOS consumers in Japan are known for being tech-savvy and early adopters of new technologies. They eagerly embrace the latest iPhone models, operating system updates, and innovative features introduced by Apple. This tech-savviness drives their interest in exploring new apps and services to enhance their digital experiences.
- Design and user experience-conscious: iOS consumers in Japan appreciate the sleek design and user-friendly interface of Apple products. They value the seamless integration between Apple devices and services, which creates a cohesive and intuitive user experience. The aesthetic appeal and attention to detail in Apple’s hardware and software design resonate well with this consumer segment.
- High engagement with mobile apps: iOS consumers in Japan are highly engaged with mobile apps. They actively seek out and download a wide range of applications from the App Store to cater to their various needs and interests. From social networking and entertainment to productivity and lifestyle, iOS users in Japan embrace the app-centric nature of their devices.
- Emphasis on privacy and security: iOS consumers in Japan prioritize privacy and data security. They trust Apple’s strong stance on protecting user privacy and appreciate the robust security features embedded in iOS devices. This emphasis on privacy aligns with the broader cultural value placed on personal data protection in Japan.
- Affluent and brand-conscious: iOS consumers in Japan tend to have higher income levels compared to the average population. They are often brand-conscious and willing to invest in premium devices and services that offer quality, reliability, and a prestigious image. The exclusivity and perceived status associated with Apple products appeal to this consumer segment.
Android consumers characteristics
Android consumers in Japan possess certain distinctive characteristics that shape their preferences and behaviors within the mobile market. Here are some key characteristics of Android consumers in Japan:
- Diverse user base: Android consumers in Japan represent a diverse user base, encompassing various age groups, income levels, and lifestyles. Android devices cater to a wide range of price points, making them accessible to a broad demographic in Japan.
- Customization and flexibility: Android consumers in Japan appreciate the customization and flexibility offered by the Android operating system. They enjoy the ability to personalize their device’s appearance, choose from a wide array of apps and widgets, and customize settings according to their preferences.
- Value-consciousness: Android consumers in Japan tend to be value-conscious and seek devices that offer a balance between features and affordability. They often consider factors such as specifications, pricing, and value for money when making purchasing decisions.
- Embracing local brands: While global brands like Samsung, Google, and Sony have a significant presence in the Android market in Japan, consumers also show a willingness to embrace local brands. Manufacturers such as Sharp, Fujitsu, and Panasonic offer Android devices tailored to the preferences and needs of Japanese consumers.
- App diversity and open ecosystem: Android consumers in Japan enjoy the vast app selection available on the Google Play Store. They take advantage of a wide range of apps that cater to various interests, including social media, gaming, productivity, entertainment, and local services. The open ecosystem of Android allows for greater app diversity and experimentation.
- Emphasis on functionality: Android consumers in Japan often prioritize functionality and practicality. They appreciate devices that offer a wide range of features, expandable storage options, and compatibility with various third-party accessories.
- Strong local support and communities: Android consumers in Japan benefit from strong local support networks and online communities. They actively engage in forums, social media groups, and online communities to share tips, troubleshoot issues, and discuss new Android-related developments.
It’s important to note that these characteristics are general observations and may not apply to every Android consumer in Japan. Individual preferences and behaviors can vary within this diverse consumer segment.
Interestingly, the market study report on mobile OS by the Japan Fair Trade Commission highlights a “lock-in effect” where consumers largely stick to whichever operating system they are currently using, preferring not to switch even if there were a hypothetical price increase; for users, “various costs are incurred in switching between Android and iOS” anyway.
iOS vs. Android consumers characteristics in Japan
In addition to gaming, the mobile app market in Japan is poised for significant growth in the health and wellness sector. With an increasing emphasis on personal well-being, there will be a surge in mobile apps that cater to fitness tracking, mental health management, and overall wellness. These apps will leverage sensors, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to provide personalized recommendations, track progress, and offer valuable insights to users. The vision is to empower individuals to lead healthier lifestyles through mobile apps that seamlessly integrate into their daily routines.
Furthermore, as Japan has an ageing population, there is a growing opportunity for mobile apps to cater to the specific needs of seniors. Future mobile apps may focus on enhancing accessibility, providing healthcare monitoring solutions, and facilitating social connections for the elderly. By addressing the unique challenges faced by older generations, mobile apps can contribute to improving the quality of life and promoting inclusivity.
Senior smartphone users
Overall, the Japanese mobile market embodies a vibrant and evolving landscape, characterized by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a constant drive for innovation. As the mobile market continues to thrive, it will remain a key player in shaping the digital landscape of Japan’s future. Businesses will need to stay agile and embrace evolving trends and technologies to leverage the full potential of Japan’s mobile market.
If you want to take a deeper dive into the Japanese mobile market, visit the ASO index.


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At the most rigorous, prestigious, and transparent annual awards program to recognize institutional and individual leadership in retail financial services in the Asia Pacific region, UnionBank was lauded for once again outperforming its peers.
The Asian Banker’s Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards Programme 2023, held last March at the Lotte Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, recognized UnionBank with its 4th consecutive BEST RETAIL BANK in the Philippines award and honored for being voted the MOST RECOMMENDED RETAIL BANK in the Philippines.
The Asian Banker International Advisory Council cited UnionBank for establishing a “robust culture of innovation and collaboration supported by significant investments in productivity, growth, and digitalization both at the front-end and back-end that allows the bank to maintain a competitive edge over its rivals.”
According to The Asian Banker, UnionBank “outperformed its peers in 2022 with 26% retail revenue growth, compared to the market average of 10%, an improved net interest margin of 4.9% and strong deposit growth of 32%.” Contributing to the bank’s performance in 2022 was the bank’s ecosystem-focused customer acquisition strategy through its mobile app and platforms, adding up to a customer base of 7.9 million in 2022.
The bank also launched apps such as Insurance Marketplace, InstaPay2 to receive international remittances and a business banking app for micro and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“By investing heavily in building a strong digital infrastructure, advanced analytics capabilities, and a cloud-first approach the Best Retail Bank in the Philippines is Union Bank of the Philippines,” cited The Asian Banker.
Most recommended retail bank in Phl
Based on the BankQuality™* Consumer Survey, a digital consumer feedback channel developed by The Asian Banker, UnionBank was voted by consumers as the Most Recommended Retail Bank in the Philippines, “for sustaining its position in the country as a pioneer and with a 100.90 BankQuality Score.”
Innovative, modern, and reliable, were some of the accolades from the bank’s customers. With the launch of different technological and digital innovations such as eDAO (ePaycard Digital Account Opening), remote cheque deposit (RCD), and embedded banking, customers responded positively, saying that the bank provided convenient banking, fast and smooth transactions, and features that were easy to use and hassle-free.
The Annual BankQuality™ Consumer Survey conducts interviews with approximately 11,000 bank customers in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific region. The survey period is between January and February every year.
The awards were received by UnionBank Consumer Banking Head Manoj Varma in Hanoi, Vietnam during The Asian Banker’s first in-person global awarding ceremonies since the pandemic. UnionBank has always been at the forefront of embracing technological innovations that empower its customers.
The consistent recognition of the Asian Banker reinforces its commitment to deliver superior customer experiences and power the future of banking.
The awards set the foundation of our aspiration to become a Great Retail Bank-the largest and most profitable consumer bank in the country over the coming years. The Asian Banker is the region’s most authoritative provider of strategic business intelligence to the financial services community.
The Singapore-based company has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Manila, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Dubai, as well as representatives in London, New York, and San Francisco. It has a business model that revolves around three core business lines: publications, research services and forums.


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An Axios reporter took a Kia EV6 on a 1,500 mile highway trip.
She reported it showed the US is not fairly prepared for an electric-car revolution.
She and her husband stopped to charge the car or truck 12 situations around the program of the excursion from Michigan to Florida.
Having an electrical vehicle on a highway vacation can be a stress filled expertise — at minimum in accordance to a few who took their Kia EV6 on a cross-country excursion from Michigan to Florida.
Axios reporter Joann Muller mentioned her spouse took the electrical motor vehicle on a 1,500 mile road vacation — she joined him component-way by — to see if the US is genuinely all set for mass EV adoption. Although electrical autos are turning out to be much more common, charging infrastructure just isn’t fairly what it really should be, Muller wrote.
“We were being regularly imagining about where to charge next,” Muller wrote of her working experience in the course of the trip. “It occupied our minds far more than wherever to take in or spend the evening.”
They stopped 12 moments to recharge the auto, which has an believed battery variety of 274 miles, over the program of the 1,500 mile, 4-working day journey, and that charging periods have been involving 20 to 55 minutes.
The reporter said that while they were hardly ever scared of obtaining stranded, the vacation took a whole lot extra setting up than it would have with a classic combustion-engine automobile. The pair experienced to juggle “route-preparing apps and billing accounts with different charging providers, which can get puzzling,” as perfectly as dealing with “glitchy” chargers.
Muller claimed her partner drove the car by itself from Detroit to Washington DC, the place they satisfied up to head to Florida. For the duration of his solo part of the vacation, he explained he was so “anxious” about the drain cold temperatures would have on the battery that he did not use the cabin warmth, selecting alternatively to count on the heated steering wheel and seats.
Although EV assortment carries on to make improvements to, charging infrastructure continue to poses a major hurdle for electrical-motor vehicle adoption.
Muller is far from the initially EV driver to knowledge charging hassles or “range anxiousness” on prolonged highway journeys. Last 7 days, tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, also recognised as MKBHD, mentioned in a video clip that he believes the problem of community charging is “ruining electric cars.”
Earlier this yr, the Biden Administration rolled out a $5 billion funding system to boost EV charging infrastructure. And some corporations have also stepped in to aid fill the hole. Past 7 days, Google declared it plans to launch an AI-run variation of Google Maps that would assistance electric powered-motor vehicle proprietors uncover charging stations.
Read the unique report on Company Insider


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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intervened in an ongoing poultry lawsuit related to price-fixing among several major poultry processors. The DOJ filed a motion for a temporary stay of discovery for evidence presented as part of the antitrust lawsuit involving several processors, distributors, and sellers. The companies that are involved in the case account for approximately 90 percent of the entire U.S. wholesale broiler chicken market.
The class-action lawsuit brought by food distributor Maplevale Farm is alleging that Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Pilgrim’s Pride, Sanderson Farms, Koch Foods, and several others all colluded to increase poultry prices between 2008 and 2016. According to a court filing, the DOJ has now become involved by convening a grand jury to examine the situation.
DOJ officials have asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to stop certain depositions and discovery for six months, stating in a motion that “a limited stay is needed to protect the grand jury’s investigation.” If the DOJ uncovers credible evidence that companies were indeed engaging in price-fixing the investigation could result in criminal charges or injunctions for the companies that are involved.
“We are aware of the Department of Justice’s request, which does not change our view that there is simply no merit to the allegations that Tyson Foods colluded with competitors. We remain committed to vigorously defending ourselves against these baseless allegations,” Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a statement.
The lawsuit brought by Maplevale is one of many asserting that poultry companies are manipulating the supply and prices for broiler chickens. Companies such as Walmart, Sysco, and Conagra have also filed similar lawsuits against several of the companies named in the Maplevale suit. Poultry farmers have also been involved in litigation against some of the leading poultry processors, alleging a coordinated effort to suppress wages.


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MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia shoppers may have to travel to another state to save money on buying back to school supplies for kids.
Law makers canceled tax free weekend in Georgia this year. They say it will save the state tens of millions of dollars.
On the other end, it’s causing shoppers to spend extra cash they usually save for other things.
My husband and I, we usually wait until tax free holiday to shop for our kids. We have four kids so it’s pretty expensive,” says Demetria Risper who usually participate in the yearly event.
The tax free weekend was scheduled for July 29th and 30th, however shoppers were in for a surprise. Many were expecting to buy clothing, electronics, shoes and school supplies.
Store owners like Ed Vogel at Georgia School Supply in Macon says no tax free holiday is inconvenient for some shoppers, but he won’t see much change in his business.
“We’ll have anywhere from like at least a hundred people coming through each day and then towards the end of the month, we’re looking at in the neighborhood of two hundred people a day coming in here,” Vogel adds.
Some consumers say the change will cause frustration but they hope it’s nothing permanent.
“Since this year they’re not having the tax free holiday, it’s going to make a drastic difference but I think we are going to be prepared for it. I just hope it comes back next year,” Risper continues.
Georgia shoppers can find tax-free weekends in neighboring states– South Carolina (Aug. 4-6), Florida (Aug. 4-6), Alabama (July 21 & July 23) and Tennessee (July 28-July 30).


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Anjing Foods, a publicly listed maker of frozen food products, reported H1 revenue rising 35.5% year on year, while net profits surged 30.4%. The company’s stock rose by nearly 5% in trading on Tuesday.
In terms of product categories, the company said it saw the largest increase in revenue from its flour and rice products, while revenue from meat products fell slightly compared to last year.
The company said in the first half of the year, logistics and transportation in eastern China were disrupted due to extended lockdowns and freight prices increased substantially. They noted that consumer demand in that region remained sluggish and sales to retailers were negatively affected.
In contrast, sales of products directly to consumers increased and household demand improved. This expansion was seen mostly in low end products like rice and flour, but also in more expensive products such as seafood ingredients for hot pot dishes.
Anjing is the latest in a series of earnings releases which illustrate the changing shifts in diets and food consumption due to Covid lockdowns and consumers downgrading their consumption amid a slowing economy.


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The agency will handle the entire digital marketing duties including social media presence across multiple platforms, digital media buying and planning.
Commenting on the development, Sabia Gulati, head marketing and sales, Madame Tussauds India, said, “We are here to deliver a brand new experience, an experience beyond wax. With use of modern technology and immense focus on digital marketing, Madame Tussauds has a modern vibe. Looking forward to deliver lots of immersive experiences at every touchpoint.”
Anshul Jain, general manager and director, Merlin Entertainment India, added, “Merlin Entertainments group, World’s second largest attractions operator is bringing its flagship brand Madame Tussauds, which is also the number 1 wax attraction in the world, with a rich legacy of over 250 years in Connaught place, Delhi. We are thrilled to announce that the attraction will truly encapsulate the vibrancy and colour of India, and dynamism of Delhi.
Rajiv Dingra, founder and CEO, WATConsult, said, “As a fan of Madam Tussauds and having visited their museums across the world, I am excited that they are launching in India; further for WATConsult to be associated with a global brand like them. We look forward to creating some truly innovative campaigns using technology.”


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Time Magazine ponders “Can Google Get Any Bigger“? Looks like it can:
However, for all of its success, Google’s online dominance has been limited to search. In web-based e-mail, for example, Google’s service, Gmail, is in a distant fifth place to leader Yahoo! Mail, which is over 12 times the size of Gmail in terms of visits. Google has barely made a peep in social networking; MySpace, the #1 social networking site, is over 300 times the size of Google’s Orkut service. Even mainstream information such as Google Finance is an order of magnitude smaller in visits than the industry leader in financial information Yahoo! Finance.


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52 Week Range
As of on the New York Stock Exchange ∙ Minimum 15 minute delay
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STO Express' Controlling Shareholder To Sell Stake In Shanghai Firm To Alibaba's Affiliate
Alibaba Group Holding Limited Reports 19% Stake Of Class A Ordinary Shares In Xpeng Inc As Of Aug. 26 - SEC Filing
China To Put Ceiling On Interest Rates That Can Be Charged By Consumer Lenders Such As Ant Group -Bloomberg News, Citing Sources
ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED is a holding company that provides the technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands and other businesses to leverage the power of new technology to engage with users and customers to operate. The Company operates four business segments. The Core Commerce segment provides China retail, China wholesale, International retail, International wholesale, Cainiao logistics services and local consumer services through Taobao Marketplace and Tmall. The Cloud Computing segment provides complete suite of cloud services, including database, storage, network virtualization services, big data analytics and others. The Digital Media and Entertainment segment provides consumer services beyond the core business operations. The Innovation Initiatives and Others segment is to innovate and deliver new services and products.
Retail (Catalog & Mail Order)
No.699 Wang Shang Road
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
J. Michael Evans
Joseph C. Tsai
Executive Vice Chairman
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategic Investments
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China's Ant Group submitted documents to the securities regulator for registration of the Shanghai portion of its IPO, the city's bourse said late on Tuesday, moving a step closer to a planned dual-listing expected to be worth about $35 billion.
China's Ant Group has received approval from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for a domestic initial public offering, the bourse said on Friday, bringing the financial technology firm closer to a dual-listing expected to be worth up to $30 billion.
Alphabet Inc's Google on Friday removed the mobile app of SoftBank and Alibaba-backed Indian fintech firm Paytm from its Android store over violations of its gambling policy.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd on Wednesday unveiled a pilot factory in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou as part of its "smart manufacturing" business initiative.
Online jobs portal Seek Ltd <SEK.AX> is in talks with a number of parties on whether to bring new investors into its Chinese unit, it said on Wednesday, after a report indicated that Alibaba <BABA.N> <9988.HK> was eyeing an investment.
Online jobs portal Seek Ltd said on Wednesday it was in talks with a "number of parties" over whether to bring on new investors into its Chinese unit after a report indicated Alibaba was eyeing an investment.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is in talks to invest $3 billion in Southeast Asia's biggest ride-hailing firm Grab Holdings Inc, Bloomberg News reported https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/alibaba-in-talks-to-invest-3-billion-in-grab-ride-hailing-giant?sref=SCAzRb9t...
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is in talks to invest $3 billion into Southeast Asia's biggest ridehailing firm Grab Holdings Inc, Bloomberg News reported https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/alibaba-in-talks-to-invest-3-billion-in-grab-ride-hailing-giant?sref=SCAzRb9t...
Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings is considering an investment in the initial public offering (IPO) of Chinese financial technology company Ant Group, which could be the world's biggest IPO, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Chinese financial technology firm Ant Group's application for a local IPO on a Nasdaq-style market will be reviewed on Sept. 18, the Shanghai stock exchange said on Wednesday, bringing the company closer to its up to $30 billion dual-listing.
Alibaba is in talks with YTO Express Group's founders to raise its stake in the Chinese courier company with an aim to become the top shareholder, two people told Reuters, as it accelerates consolidation in the world's largest express delivery market.
China's Alibaba Group has put on hold plans to invest in Indian companies, two sources aware of the plans told Reuters, amid souring business relations and rising political tension between the two nations after a clash on their Himalayan border.
Ant Group, Alibaba's fintech arm and China's dominant mobile payments firm, filed for a dual listing in Hong Kong and on Shanghai's Nasdaq-style STAR Market on Tuesday and could raise as much as $30 billion in what would be the world's largest IPO.
The dollar slid but a gauge of global equity markets advanced on Monday, driven by coronavirus treatment hopes that bolstered risk sentiment and lifted the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to all-time peaks.
Taiwan on Monday gave the domestic branch of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's e-commerce site Taobao six months to re-register as a Chinese investment rather than a foreign one, or leave, in the government's latest shot against Chinese firms.
China's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd <BABA.N> beat quarterly revenue and profit estimates on Thursday, as its core commerce and cloud computing businesses continued to grow following China's emergence from the coronavirus lockdown.
Alibaba is showcasing all its jewels. Quarterly sales growth at its main shopping business has rebounded. But cloud computing is growing nearly twice as fast while fintech affiliate, Ant, is on track for an epic initial public offering.
China's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd beat quarterly revenue estimates on Thursday as its core e-commerce business thrived due to people preferring to shop online for essentials, even as coronavirus-related restrictions eased.
A federal judge has denied a request by Alibaba and eBay Inc to recover a combined $4.5 million in attorney fees and costs they incurred fending off a cloud computing patent case, saying "greed" on the part of lawyers for the e-commerce companies doomed the fee bid.
Shares in Chinese online retail giant Alibaba <BABA.N> ground out gains on Monday as profits for smaller peer JD.com buoyed expectations for its own results later this week, countering hint of more U.S. moves against it and other Chinese companies.
Quote and financial data from Refinitiv. Fund performance data provided by Lipper. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes.


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With new equipment and a facility makeover in the rearview mirror, an occupant safety systems provider is prototyping, testing, and validating seatbelts, inflatable restraints, and steering wheels faster than ever.
"All during the refurbishing, we never stopped supplying product to our customers. We didn't miss a beat with any component test," said Jim Essad, Manager for TRW Automotive's Occupant Safety Systems facility in Romeo, MI.
During the recently wrapped multiyear renovation project, TRW invested more than $8 million to upgrade buildings, infrastructure, and equipment. The new machines include static stands and vibration tables that are large enough for full-size SUV side curtain airbags, and an environmental chamber wide and tall enough to accommodate a full-size SUV or vehicle buck.
Steven Peterson, Director of Engineering for Occupant Safety Systems at TRW Automotive in North America, said that equipment upgrades have netted efficiency gains. "Compared to what we had, we've increased our test capacity throughput by 40%. That's a substantial improvement," said Peterson.
Productivity gains also are evident in the prototyping area, where a 3-D digital camera from Atos is getting steady use. "We recently used the camera to make adjustments on a new steering wheel tool. This provided TRW engineers and the tooling vendor valuable information that saved time and ultimately cost," explained Peterson.
TRW also is using the new camera in a bid for new business.
"Because we didn't have all of the data for a commercial truck's sheet metal, we created the cabin's interior dimensions using the 3-D camera. We then used that data to establish the geometry for a seatbelt system fitment. We're now able to say to a customer, 'Here's what we can do for you'," Peterson said.
The Romeo, MI, facility became the first operation in TRW's worldwide network to add a laser-cutting machine for airbags. "When compared to the former manual cutting process, we get product turnaround and cost savings advantages from using the laser cutter," said Peterson.
A Zeiss coordinate measuring machine is a recent equipment purchase for the quality lab within the prototype area. "There's been a 25% increase in throughput in the prototype area, and that's an outgrowth from adding equipment and revising the product flow process," said Peterson.
Compressing the product development timeline helps TRW meet the needs of customers working to reduce validation lead times from the current 24 to 18 months to 12 months.
"The faster a product is validated, the sooner it can be released into the production stage at a cost savings to TRW and the customer," Peterson said.


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Low-paid workers will suffer a wage cut in real terms despite an increase from today in the national minimum wage, according to union leaders.
The TUC union says that with the retail prices index (RPI) rate of inflation running at 2.9%, the 1.8% rise in the statutory hourly rate will lead to a "squeeze" on the living standards of almost a million, mainly female, workers.
The adult rate increases by 11p an hour to £6.19, but there will be no change to the £4.98 an hour for 18 to 20-year-olds and £3.68 an hour for workers above school leaving age, but under 18.
The rate for apprentices will increase by 5p to £2.65 an hour.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber says: "While we are pleased that Government has rejected the siren calls of some employers to freeze the minimum wage for adult workers and apprentices, these increases are far below inflation and will leave the lowest-paid facing a real terms cut.
"These new rates are a particular blow to younger people who will face the biggest hit on their living standards. There is no evidence that the minimum wage has had an adverse impact on young people's employment so it is hard to see the logic behind their pay freeze.
"Today's rate increases do not do enough to help hard-pressed families. We need a bolder increase next year otherwise the real incomes of minimum wage workers will continue to fall, along with consumer demand."


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It was a pretty weird day for data today.
To start, a fair amount was lousy.
- Construction spending for January unexpectedly contracted by 0.1%.
- February ISM missed badly, and fell from the month before.
- Personal income and spending both came in worse than expected.
- And weekly rail car traffic just turned negative year-on-year for the third week in a row.
One major data point was good to tame:
- Initial claims modestly surpassed expectations.
The really good news though was on the private side of things:
- Car sales, as we've been talking about, destroyed estimates.
- And retail same-store sales for February were great across the board.
So mostly disappointing official data, and some great private data from corporations.


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The price of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and the broader indices continue to fall, creating an opportunity to scoop up undervalued blockchain stocks. The book value of many of these companies is tethered to the crypto market. Blockchain stocks still have a lot of potential to run, which makes them great growth picks.
One advantage of investing in blockchain stocks is that they can be seen as synthetic leverage, which may amplify both gains and losses. These companies are known to go on massive rallies when the market peaks and fall dramatically when the bulls need a rest. Holding these companies in your portfolio along with coins like Bitcoin may provide an overlay to an already bullish thesis on the future of blockchain technology. That means investors may see large returns by holding only a small position.
So as the rest of the market sells off in fear of a possible reversal in this year’s tech rally, here are the best blockchain stocks to add to your portfolio in August.
Source: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) has been growing due to its association with AI and its potential in the blockchain. The company introduced Bitcoin mining chips last year but discontinued production in mid-April 2023. Some could see Intel’s decision to stop production as a setback. Still, the company’s ability to pivot and reassess opportunities in the space could make it an intriguing hybrid blockchain/AI investment.
Meanwhile, Intel’s upcoming 14th-Gen Meteor Lake CPUs are generating excitement with potential performance boosts. Expected to be announced at the Intel Innovation 2023 event, the new lineup may include both Meteor Lake and an improved iteration of Raptor Lake architecture. A Chinese PC manufacturer, Mechanic, hinted at a release by October powered by Intel’s 14th Gen CPUs.
Other reasons make INTC stock one of those blockchain stocks to buy. Wall Street gave it a price target of $35.14, and the stock currently trades below its 52-week high.
Source: JOCA_PH / Shutterstock.com
MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) sells analytics software and holds a massive amount of Bitcoin in its treasury. So, the cryptocurrency’s prices significantly influence its share prices. MicroStrategy’s heavy investment in Bitcoin makes it a unique play in the blockchain space.
MicroStrategy’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Saylor has announced the company’s intention to buy more Bitcoin, potentially using $750 million from selling class A common stock. At the time of writing, the company held 152,800 bitcoins, worth about $4.5 billion.
If you are bullish on Bitcoin’s potential, a great buying opportunity could be on the horizon relatively soon. A potential drop in Bitcoin’s price to around $25,000 could further impact MicroStrategy’s shares. Technical analysis indicates a bearish outlook for MicroStrategy stock, with the possibility of a slump of approximately 20%.
A long-term investment thesis for these assets means one is naturally less sensitive to the cyclical ups and downs of the market, so drawdowns like these should be both welcome and expected for buy-and-hold investors.
Source: Sergei Elagin / Shutterstock
Formerly known as Square, Block (NYSE:SQ) is primarily a fintech stock with significant investment in blockchain technology. Share prices recently plummeted, but sales exceeded expectations. Block’s recent price drop might be seen as an overreaction, making it a contrarian play at the moment.
The company reported a rise in Q2 revenue to $5.53 billion, up from $4.4 billion a year ago, beating estimates. The company’s gross profit increased by 27% to $1.87 billion, and its earnings outlook for 2023 was revised to $1.5 billion, up from $1.3 billion. The growth was driven by strong payment volumes and a 37% increase in gross profit from its mainstay online payments service, Cash App, while its Square business reported an 18% rise in gross profit year-over-year.
While stocks like MSTR may be more of a pure-play blockchain stock, SQ could fill a hole in an investor’s portfolio if they want blockchain as well as fintech exposure. It’s also slightly more diversified than other options available to investors.
Due to the explosion in interest in tech stocks, a healthy pullback may have been warranted in the broader indices. The growth potential of these companies is huge, so it may provide valuable entry points to motivate people to keep the long-term rally going.
On the date of publication, Matthew Farley did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
Matthew started writing coverage of the financial markets during the crypto boom of 2017 and was also a team member of several fintech startups. He then started writing about Australian and U.S. equities for various publications. His work has appeared in MarketBeat, FXStreet, Cryptoslate, Seeking Alpha, and the New Scientist magazine, among others.
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The post These Are the ONLY 3 Blockchain Stocks to Consider in August 2023 appeared first on InvestorPlace.


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Get your every day, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related information – investigating the tales flying beneath the radar of at this time’s crypto information.
- The World Financial institution lowered its estimate for international progress in 2022 to three.2% from a January prediction of 4.1%, Bloomberg reported, citing President David Malpass. The decline was spurred by a lower within the outlook for Europe and central Asia, which embody Russia and Ukraine, it added. Final 12 months, the worldwide financial system elevated 5.7%. Nevertheless, within the coming weeks, Malpass expects to debate with the financial institution’s board a brand new 15-month crisis-response bundle of about USD 170bn to cowl April 2022 by way of June 2023, with about USD 50bn of this quantity to be deployed within the subsequent three months.
- A choose in Delaware, USA, pinned down the worth of a usually fluid cryptoasset for a USD 25m breach of contract injury award in a swimsuit filed by biometric software program agency Diamond Fortress Applied sciences Inc., which was promised the crypto in cost for his or her companies in 2021, Law360 reported. The choose concluded that the cryptoassets on this case must be handled as a safety as a substitute of a commodity, it added.
- Luxurious model Louis Vuitton introduced it has added new quests and new non-fungible token (NFT) rewards to its standalone sport app. The NFTs painting Vivienne, an anthropomorphism of the corporate’s monogram, in quite a lot of appears to be like.
- Automotive producer Hyundai Motor Firm introduced a partnership with NFT model Meta Kongz to share NFTs depicting its mobility options. The corporate additionally launched a brief movie introducing the Hyundai NFT universe idea “Metamobility Universe,” and stated it can situation 30 restricted editions of “Hyundai x Meta Kongz” NFTs on April 20 to commemorate the discharge of the movie.
- US President Joe Biden named former crypto trade adviser Michael Barr as his newest choose for the Federal Reserve’s vice chairman for supervision. Earlier than he’s appointed, he has to get a affirmation from the US Senate.
- Main crypto change Binance is hiring throughout El Salvador, the platform’s CEO Changpeng Zhao confirmed on Twitter. He added that they’ve already employed seven folks, supplied positions to 13 extra, and have greater than 50 further openings, with “just a few hundred” to be employed earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
- Decentralized finance (DeFi) tech firm WonderFi introduced that it has entered right into a definitive settlement to amass Canadian crypto platform Coinberry for CAD 38.5m (USD 30.53m). The corporate, which had beforehand acquired platform Bitbuy, now owns two of six Canadian registered crypto-trading platforms, they added.


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An expansion of the Eastview Plaza in Amherst will lead the way for HomeGoods, a TJ Maxx subsidiary, to open its second area location.
Benderson Development Co. has filed a proposal with the Amherst Planning Board, seeking approval to add 10,728-square-feet to the plaza — located at Maple and Transit roads. The expanded space will be added to an existing 12,272-square-foot vacant store front and combined will house the HomeGoods store.
The planning board will consider the expansion request when it meets on Oct. 18.
HomeGoods, earlier this year, opened its first area store on Sheridan Drive, also in Amherst.
The Eastview Plaza expansion comes as its neighbor, Wegmans Food Markets, is revamping the parking lot for its Transit Road store. Wegmans is considering expanding that store, although no plans have been filed with Amherst officials.
The Eastview Plaza has such tenants as Lowe’s, Starbuck’s and Five Guys.


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- Fixed Frame Projection Screen
- Motorized Projection Screen
- Curved Frame Projection Screen
- Ultra Thin Frame Projection Screen
- Portable Projection Screen
- Projector Brackets
projector phones a breakthrough for china mobile phone makers - chinavasion
The next mobile innovation leader may not come from Japan or the United States, but from China.
The release of the projector mobile phone, the release of the hand for a whole month
The handheld projector is just another sign.
September 27, 2008 (PowerHomeBiz )-
Mobile phones with projector function are just one of the innovative designs and concepts of Chinese mobile phone manufacturers and [
Wholesale Chinese mobile phone
The company these days.
A Taiwanese company is making the first Google Android phone, and a Chinese company has even started making solar phones. (
Continue the news below)))


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Games Jobs Live is BACK with a brand new event – Grad Jobs Live – aimed at graduates and those looking for their first role within the games industry. If you’ve recently graduated and want …
The UK Global Screen Fund is a £7 million, one-year pilot fund designed to boost international development and distribution opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sectors, including film, TV, videogames and animation.
The Creative Industries Fund is a new opportunity for small and micro creative businesses in the UK to access up to £25K for business growth.
The European Space Agency has funding available for games and digital projects which utilise space data to solve real world problems.
TechCrunch is embarking on a major new project to survey European founders and investors in cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness & Stirling.
Applications are now open for the CreaTech Ones to Watch 2021 competition, the Creative Industries Council’s annual awards for the UK’s most brilliant creative technology or ‘CreaTech’ companires.
The UK Games Fund Round 7 is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from UK-based game developers. This is the start of a process to secure funding of up to £25,000.
Applications are now open for the Tranzfuser Enterprise Pathway, a funding competition open to graduates from UK universities, which offers up to £25,000 to develop a new commercial videogame.
Dundee City Council, in collaboration with local and national organisations, are working on making the Tayside city a 5G testbed. This news comes at a time where the S5GConnect programme is set to build a …
The UK videogames market value reached a record £7 billion in 2020, an increase of +29.9% from 2019, beating 2018’s previous record by more than a billion pounds. While 2020 was a difficult year for …


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Sierra Leone Telegraph: 16 June 2017
Millions of dollars are being spent every year by Africans – both men and women, on chemicals made to lighten the skin, despite warnings about the terrible health consequences. But little is said about the psychological self-harm of skin bleaching in Africa.
Writing in theconversation.com, Black American professor of social work – Ronald Hall says that: “To be black in the world today is to be stigmatised for having dark skin. To be light-skinned, on the other hand, is to be celebrated in line with western beauty standards.
“Black people not only experience this stigma from outside of their “racial” group. The bias against dark skin has also been internalised by black people the world over and manifests as colourism within the black community.”
But is this phenomenon of African skin lightening a complex response to feeling of low self-esteem, racism, or a simple expression of self-awareness and personal choice?
This is what professor Ronald Hall found out in his research, which concludes that; “Self-love – not bans – will bring an end to Africa’s bleaching syndrome.”:
My research suggests that African-Americans consider light skin as the most ideal personal characteristic one can have. And this internalised bias towards whiteness is not only limited to the US. In my 30 years of studying this subject, I have found it to be prevalent in all places where people of African descent live – including Togo, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
The stigmatisation of dark skin has led to the popular practice of skin bleaching. After discovering the practice three decades ago, I began to investigate a condition that I have named the “bleaching syndrome”.
There have been attempts by governments to discourage the use of skin bleaches through sales bans, but these have been largely unsuccessful.
For as long as black people continue to idealise light skin, the bleaching syndrome will continue to afflict many dark-skinned populations.
The bleaching syndrome
The bleaching syndrome has three components. In the first place, it’s psychological, involving the adoption of alien ideals and the rejection of native characteristics.
African-American psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark conducted a famous “doll study” in the 1940s that showed how black children as young as three come to understand their place in the world as “less than”. They reach this conclusion long before they have the ability to articulate race. It’s a phenomenon black psychologists refer to as a “colour complex”
This idea that dark skin is “less than” gets reinforced daily on television, in advertisements and through other forms of mass media.
The bleaching syndrome is also sociological. This means that it affects group behaviour in line with these ideals. The fact that black rappers systematically select light-skinned women to model in their videos is a good popular example of this.
The final aspect of the bleaching syndrome is physiological. Here, individual psychology and group behaviour eventually lead to the alteration of skin colour.
Demand fuels supply, despite bans
Throughout the African continent there have been attempts to discontinue the use of skin bleaches. These products are banned in The Gambia, Uganda, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Nigeria has not banned bleaching per say but has banned the toxic additives like mercury contained in bleaching creams. While experts in Senegal have called on the government to take similar steps.
Bleaching soaps and creams have also been banned in the European Union, Australia and Japan.
Despite these efforts it does not appear that the popularity of the practice has slowed significantly. In countries such as Nigeria and Togo over 50% of the women bleach.
The fact is that the continued demand for bleaching creams means that they will continue to be manufactured and sold on the market, even if they are illegal. The bleaching syndrome persists because light skin remains the ideal and the sale of bleaching creams remain profitable.
Treat the problem at its root
The “natural hair movement” offers a good example of how we may be able to combat the bleaching syndrome.
Natural black hair, afros and dreadlocks have been historically stigmatised – much as dark skin is today – and there was a time when Black people applied all sorts of concoctions to straighten their hair. In fact the first African-American millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker, made her fortune selling hair straightening products to black people.
But today, many black people take pride in their natural hair and refuse to straighten it. This was not achieved by banning relaxers and other chemical hair straightening concoctions.
Rather, it was political action that changed black people’s ideas about black hair. Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis, Steve Biko and Patrice Lumumba are among those who rallied against self-hate and spread a message of African pride. Natural hair came to be associated with freedom and justice.
The problem with bleaching bans is that they attempt to treat the physiological symptoms of the bleaching syndrome without addressing the sociological causes and the psychological colour complex that is at its root.
The bleaching syndrome will only come to an end when Africans and all black people learn to love their skin, just as they have learned to love their hair. Only then will bleaching creams become obsolete.
About the author:
Ronald Hall is an African-American Professor of Social Work at Michigan State University, USA, writing in theconversation.com.
This bleaching issue is now endemic and taken root in Africa Europe USA and all other continents.
Unfortunately Michael Jackson was so loved by many Africans that when he started lightening his skin people thought it was a good thing and emulated him. Artists are the last people who should be emulated because you learn nothing from them.
Now it is so prevalent that you can walk on the street and hear a familiar voice but when you look at the person you cannot recognise them because they have changed beyond all recognition. Shameful.
How can you loathe yourself so much that you change your God-given skin – the largest organ in the body?
Don’t get me wrong, everyone is at it both blacks and whites. You only have to take a look at the US president to understand what I am saying.
There are tanning booths and tanning creams for whites to darken their skin. The difference though is that those methods are safe compared to bleaching the skin.
I am a dark skinned woman and I love my skin. I would not dream of changing it. If someone does not like my complexion, then that’s their problem not mine.
The black skin ages very slowly and gracefully. I am in my 40s and even if am shocked why some people mistake me for a 21 year old. White skin ages fast and they spend thousands of dollars on nip and tuck,botox etc just to achieve that youth.
I can sit in the sun for hours without getting burnt and I don’t need sun cream either. Rarely will you hear of a dark skinned person having skin cancer.
So I am appealing to my black brothers and sisters, stop ruining your skins and those of your children. Love yourselves and be proud of who you are.


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Xerox is to release a software patch that it hopes will repair a problem that saw some of its photocopiers changing numbers and letters in documents.
The company is first advising customers to “Reset Scanning Defaults” to make sure that isn’t where the problem lies before applying the software patch that will become available “within a few weeks.”
“It is important to know that Xerox devices shipped from the factory are set with the right compression level and resolution settings to produce scanned files appropriate for viewing or printing — while maintaining a reasonable file size. You will not see a character substitution issue when scanning with the factory default settings,” said Rick Dastin, corporate vice president and president of the Office and Solutions Business Group at Xerox.
German computer scientist David Kriesel identified the problem earlier this week when he noticed his Xerox Workcentre 7535 and 7556 machines were changing numbers, with faulty compression software used by the company machines to blame.
Kriesel, whose main inconvenience was the dimensions on a room plan being changed, expressed concern that numbers on vital medical documents or financial invoices could, in extreme cases, leave Xerox at risk of legal action.
The company didn’t hear of the problem until Kriesel identified it after the number six had been substituted by an eight when making copies and the room dimensions mentioned above were changed from 21.11m to 14.13m.
Xerox reported that 14 models going back to 2005 offer the Jbig2 compression standard involved, which means hundreds of thousands of individual units may end up needing the software patch.
Dastin confirmed that old rigs, the military and clients in developing markets are most likely to have changed the settings that caused the copiers to malfunction. Simplifying the settings to change the file size mean files can be sent quicker, which can be particularly helpful when only slow data speeds are available.
Image credit: Flickr (zrs_one)


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Every month, Facebook witnesses over 70 crore people who play a game, interact with a gaming group or watch a gaming video on the platform.
Microsoft Mixer: Curtains comes down on Microsoft Mixer! Microsoft’s video game live streaming platform Mixer is being shut down, the company announced in a statement on Monday. The tech giant will now be teaming up with social media giant Facebook to take on competitor Amazon-owned Twitch. The statement said that the service would run for another month before finally shutting down on July 22.
In the statement, Mixer said that while the service has been focused on creating an interactive and engaging live-streaming experience, ultimately the success of the partners and the streamers depends on the platform’s ability to scale it for them as broadly and promptly as possible.
The statement added that service soon realised that the vision and experience that Xbox and Microsoft wanted to provide for the gamers would take a lot of time for Mixer to match and that was why it was decided that the operations side of Mixer would be closed, and the platform would now focus on helping the community transition to a different platform.
It then also announced that Microsoft would now team up with Facebook to help the community on the platform switch to Facebook Gaming, which is an important part of the larger plan that Facebook Gaming and Xbox are working on. The two will work together to expand Mixer’s vision and build a platform to include and support each other, the statement said, adding that this would allow the streamers on Mixer’s to explore the opportunity of reaching a vast audience on a streaming platform which is among the fastest growing in the world.
It added that every month, Facebook witnesses over 70 crore people who play a game, interact with a gaming group or watch a gaming video on the platform. Moreover, for the Creators on Facebook Gaming, this could lead to an opportunity to partner with the Xbox ecosystem closely.
How can Mixer community switch to Facebook Gaming?
For the Mixer community, the statement said, Facebook Gaming has made it easy to switch if they wish to.
- The statement said that Facebook Gaming would grant the status of partner to Mixer Partners and all the existing Partner agreements would be honoured and matched as closely as possible. The statement further said that Partners of Mixer would get an update on how they could sign up for Facebook Gaming. Alternatively, the statement said, the Partners could also visit FB [dot] gg [slash] Mixer using the desktop, then connect with their Mixer account and follow the directions.
- The statement further said that the Streamers who are a part of the open monetization programme on Mixer would be allowed to participate in the Level Up Programme of the Facebook Gaming, where these streamers could continue to grow and monetize the streams. Moreover, the Facebook-owned platform would fast-track the onboarding process for the eligible streamers. They could also visit the website mentioned above.
- At the website mentioned above, a Mixer would be able to connect their Mixer account and the Facebook platform would display all the available Facebook Pages of the Mixer channels the Mixer already follows, so that they can now follow them on the Facebook platform.
- Special welcome packs would also be available for the viewers who would visit from Mixer [dot] com over the coming few weeks.
- After July 22, Mixer [dot] com would redirect to fb [dot] gg, the statement said.


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AVENTURA, FLA. (WSVN) - - Authorities have given the all clear at Aventura Mall after initial reports of a shooting caused the shopping center to be evacuated in the middle of the last-minute holiday shopping rush, Saturday night.
At around 8:20 p.m., Aventura Police tweeted out an update about what they initially described as a “possible incident,” urging residents to avoid the area.
Reports of shots fired sent people running for their lives.
Shopper Yves Bien-Aime described the chaotic scene. “We were walking, and we see a lot of people outside screaming, running back towards the opposite direction that we were going,” he said.
Cellphone video posted to Twitter, earlier Saturday night, shows panicked shoppers running away from the mall and toward a parking lot.
“This was during a very busy shopping time, and a lot of people inside the mall, which ended up in a lot of chaos, with people trying to exit the mall,” said Aventura Police Sgt. Chris Goranitis.
“We’re like, ‘What’s going on?’ Everyone’s like, ‘Get down! Get down!'” said one woman.
In a tweet, mall officials indicated the shopping center was being evacuated as a precaution.
But Aventura Police said, as far as they know, there was no gun, and there weren’t any victims.
“We actually received reports of shots fired in different areas of the mall, which led to a very chaotic situation,” said Goranitis, “but luckily, there were no reports of any injuries, and everything is under control at this time.”
The shock sent shoppers across the mall running in every direction. “I felt traumatized,” said Bien-Aime. “My wife was with us; she was at a different store. The kids were like, ‘Where’s Mom? Where’s Mom? Call Mom and find out.’ We tried to text her, call her. There was no answer. I’m still shaking right now.”
“I thought I was gonna die,” said one man.
Officers gave the all clear just before 8:30 p.m.
Families who were doing their last bit of holiday shopping told 7News they were happy to be going home. “Very nice, because the shops were closing, and people running,” said Carlos Lopez.
This was not the first time a South Florida mall felt this kind of terror in what has turned out to be a false alarm. On Nov. 24, a scare shut down Westland Mall in Hialeah, triggering a panic for Black Friday shoppers.
“Apparently, somebody thought that they heard shots fired,” said Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez.
The mall was evacuated. Cameras captured a SWAT team surrounding the mall until authorities found no evidence of a shooting.
Back in Aug. 19, Dolphin Mall became the scene of another shooting scare.
“We just followed the crowd. We heard somebody say that there were shots,” said one frightened shopper.
Rumors of gunfire spread throughout the Sweetwater mall, causing chaos. “I looked to the side, to the entrance, and people were falling and sliding,” said another shopper.
Dolphin Wall was quickly evacuated, but the SWAT team and police officers did not find any proof that shots were ever fired.
Shoppers said they did not know whether the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding or the outcome of some horrific prank. In any case, they indicated, it all felt very real.
One shopper said these mall scares need to end. “It’s the holiday season, like, come on, now,” said one woman. “This shouldn’t be happening.”
Police said they have made no arrests at this time.
Just before 9 p.m., police sent a tweet confirming the mall will remain closed and reopen Sunday morning as scheduled.
Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Nintendo is going all out to let people know that the upcoming NX console is “something very new.” Comparing it to the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U will get you nowhere since this thing is so new that even Nintendo’s new president wants to play it!
Yes! Nintendo President and CEO Tatsumi Kimishima has stated in an interview with Asahi Shinbun that the NX is so exciting that it ” is something I’d like to play for the first time myself.”
What matters is what the NX feels like, and Kimishima plainly states that this will be something entirely new and not like the Wii U at all.
When the NX is released, the Wii U business will slow…However, the NX is neither the successor to the Wii U nor to the 3DS. It’s a new way of playing games, which I think will have a larger impact than the Wii U, but I don’t feel it’s a pure replacement for the Wii U.
You can’t really blame Nintendo for wanting to distance itself from the Wii U. Sales haven’t been anywhere near as close to its previous generation consoles, and the console has been seen as a bit of a disappointment, even to longtime Nintendo fans such as myself.
Whatever the NX is, we should be finding out before the end of the year. Since it is launching in March 2017, Nintendo will have to open the floodgates a bit before then. I’m still holding out for a handheld that can be streamed to a television, but again, I don’t know anything.


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| Feb 19, 2014
| 7:39 PM
TOLUCA, Mexico -- President Obama acknowledged Wednesday the hand of Russian President Vladimir Putin in two of the day’s most violent hot spots -- Ukraine and Syria -- but said the conflicts should not be viewed as a “Cold War chessboard.&...
| Feb 19, 2014
| 10:23 PM
TOLUCA, Mexico — They came to talk about their roles as powerhouses in world trade, but President Obama and his two North American counterparts made little progress Wednesday in boosting their ambitious plans to ease borders and expand into new...
| Jan 9, 2014
| 1:30 PM
Days after the 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement's implementation, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker unveiled a new initiative aimed at increasing business with trade partners in Latin America.
The “Look South&...
| Dec 12, 2013
| 4:54 PM
MEXICO CITY — After contentious marathon sessions, Mexico's Congress on Thursday gave final approval to a historic energy reform bill that ends the 75-year state monopoly of the country's oil and gas industry and invites foreign investment.
| Jan 8, 2014
| 6:22 PM
SACRAMENTO — California's exports are booming, and companies are shipping goods at levels not reached since before the Great Recession six years ago.
In November alone, Golden State businesses shipped merchandise worth $15.2 billion, a 14% jump...
| Jan 9, 2014
| 6:54 PM
U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker unveiled a new initiative aimed at increasing business with trade partners in Latin America, only days after the 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement's implementation.
The Look South...
| Jan 13, 2014
| 11:50 AM
Honda Motor Co. hopes the redesigned Fit hatchback it introduced at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will finally match the sales of more popular subcompact car rivals.
The Fit has been a sales conundrum for Honda. It gets rave...
| Aug 27, 2013
| 1:59 PM
Pirate Joe's says Trader Joe's only has itself to blame for creating so many tantalizing flavors for such great prices. And if the Monrovia-based market would just open up an outlet in Vancouver, Canada, there would be no need for legal action. And then...
| Aug 20, 2013
| 12:04 PM
Should Ted Cruz really go rushing off to get rid of his Canadian citizenship as if it were some awful disease?
The Texas Republican senator and tea party darling was born in Canada to a U.S. mother and Cuban father who were working in Calgary, Alberta,...
| Sep 20, 2013
| 3:59 PM
MEXICO CITY — Vice President Joe Biden, in the Mexican capital Friday for meetings with top government officials and business leaders, said he was glad to be focusing on trade rather than on security issues and argued that an economically prosperous...
| Sep 30, 2013
| 6:30 AM
It's as if they didn't learn a thing from the 2012 elections. Republicans are on the same suicide mission as before -- trying to block immigration reform (if they can't scuttle it in the Senate, they're ready to in the House), roll back the clock on...


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The growth of the marijuana industry may be slowing slightly, but that isn't stopping the millions of investor dollars circling the sector. Marijuana Business Daily has forecast that marijuana sales could hit eight billion dollars by 2019, not its previous forecast date of 2018. The recently completed 2015 MBD Factbook cited issues at the state level as the cause for the the slower growth curve. California was mentioned for its struggles with regulating its cannabis industry that has resulted in the closings of dispensaries. Massachusetts and Washington were both noted for their delays in instituting their medical marijuana programs.
However, eight billions is still a huge number and for this reason investment firms are clamoring to be a part of this nascent sector. “It's changed dramatically,” said Steve DeAngelo of the Arc View Group. Arc View helps to connect cannabis companies with potential investors and has helped 54 companies raise $41 million. “It wasn't until we got into the election of 2012 that we saw a whole new wave of investors and entrepreneurs entering the industry,” said DeAngelo. “That was really a signal for people that it was a lot safer.” According to the MBD Factbook, the amount of capital for funding start-ups and expansions has risen by an estimated 900% or more. This is creating a potential bubble situation where there are too many investment dollars chasing too few worthy companies. Douglas Leighton of Dutchess Capital agrees and said, “There is too much money and too few deals.”
The strategy for these investments firms is to get in early and establish themselves as the experts in the field. While 23 states have legalized medical marijuana, investing in the group still remains somewhat taboo. The group is lumped into the “sin” category of finance that includes casinos and tobacco. Plus, it doesn't help the group when the Securities and Exchange Commission suspends trading on several publicly traded cannabis stocks. Another concern is that some of these funds create great fanfare when they start their fund or open their venture capital firm, but then get very quiet. Still, some of these financiers are pulling in big money and scouring the field for good investments and these are some of the top names in the group.
Privateer Holdings – This investment company made headlines recently when it secured an $75 million investment from the Founders Fund, a San Francisco based venture capital firm. Founders Fund has picked some winners in the past including Facebook, Airbnb, Spotify and SpaceX. Getting an investment from this group is like receiving the investing seal of approval. This brings Privateer's total funding to $82 million, which isn't bad considering the company was just founded in 2010. It was also the first private equity firm to close a multimillion dollar funding round in 2013. Privateer has invested in the online cannabis review site Leafly and the Canadian cannabis grower Tilray. In addition to those, Privateer has invested in Marley Natural, a cannabis lifestyle brand that will sell cannabis and accessories. Privateer is the largest and most established of the funds. No secrecy here.
Dutchess Capital - This firm is not just a marijuana investor, but a manager for investment funds and was established in 1995 in Massachusetts. The founder Douglas Leighton decided to enter the cannabis space when Massachusetts legalized medicinal marijuana. Dutchess will be targeting consumer consumption devices and consumer use companies. Leighton said, “Our total portfolio is valued north of $25 million and we'll probably add another $10 million in 2015. Dutchess has invested in the beverage company Dixie Ellixirs in its licensing side and the marijuana social media site Mass Roots (MSRT), which recently went public. Dutchess was able to return some value to its investors with a partial exit when Mass Roots went public. A trend that Leighton has noticed amongst his investors are that they tend to be in the 45-60 age group, are already successful businessmen and aren't squeamish when it comes to investing in the sin category.
Poseidon Asset Management – This marijuana hedge fund was founded by the brother, sister team of Emily & Morgan Paxhia. The duo was drawn to the industry when they sadly lost both parents to cancer and the hospice treatment recommended cannabis. The fund was established in January of 2014 and they are hoping to raise $15-20 million, a more modest goal than Privateer. Emily Paxhia also expressed concern about the rapid increase in investors. “There is a lot of money circling the space and the deals aren't always the best,” said Emily, “We want to find the ones that are worth it.” Poseidon's focus is on the ancillary businesses. “One of our core beliefs is efficiency and utilizing technologies,” said Morgan Paxhia. So Poseidon is focusing on software for point of sale, seed-to-sale, lighting software and ways to help patients. The two also believe in good due diligence and are on the board of the Responsible Cannabis Public Companies or ARCPC.
Salveo Capital - Salveo is a private equity fund out of Chicago with Alex Thirsch as a Managing Principle. Thirsch initially applied for a pot dispensary license in Illinois, which he didn't receive. So some of Salveo's seed money is from the investors that backed him in his quest for a license. Salveo is still in the fund raising stage with a target of $16 to $25 million. Thirsch said, “I have no doubt we'll hit that in a short time frame and I anticipate we'll form a second and third fund.” Thirsch said he hasn't had to do a lot of selling to find investors because “investors want to get in, but they aren't sure how to do it.” He also hasn't had to look hard for places to invest. “We've received more requests for capital and seen lots of business plans,” said Thirsch. “We have real money to invest.”


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Contrary to our established notions, one doesn't need to design an Apple accessory to make a million dollars on Kickstarter — it turns out that a gadget for the Android works just as well. Tech-savvy industrial designer Yves Béhar (the one behind the One Laptop per Child computer and this line of ultra-sophisticated sex toys) demonstrated that yesterday by crushing online crowdsourcing records; he raised $1 million dollars for Ouya, an Android-based gaming system, in only eight hours.
Three months ago tech company Boxer8 approached Béhar and his San Francisco-based firm, Fuseproject, to develop a sleek, cube-like console that connects a mobile app to the television, steered by a wireless controller of buttons and two analog sticks for downloadable, free-to-play games. As of today, more than 25,000 people have donated $3.2 million and counting in exchange for investor perks like early access, an engraved console, and a day-long meet and greet with the designers.
Despite competition from industry behemoths Sony and Microsoft, Béhar is confident in Ouya's appeal. "The gaming community [...] wants to be engaged, wants something new, wants it to be open," he said yesterday at the Mobile Beat Conference, according to TheVerge.com. "There's lots of programmers, hackers, [and] game developers that don’t want to pay the huge fees that it takes to get a developer kit [for a major console]."
Ouya provides yet another Kickstarter success story as the website continues to turn the science of start-up investment on its head. Not only does it cull precious funding, it serves as a Geiger counter for market interest, according to Cooper-Hewitt Product Designer of the Year Scott Wilson, whose TikTok+LunaTik — a wrist device that allows you to wear an iPod Nano as a watch — held the Kickstarter title of highest-funded for more than a year at $942,578. "If we don't reach a goal that's a sign we shouldn’t be wasting our time," he told ARTINFO. His third Kickstarter campaign has raised three times its goal, and still has nine days of fundraising left.
Soon, the site won't be limited to American start-ups. According to the Telegraph, the crowdsourcing site is planning to expand to the U.K. this fall.


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Choki Wangmo | Tsirang
Lack of information and coordination among authorities are impacting Dagana vegetable aggregators, resulting in huge losses.
A vegetable aggregator from Gozhi, Tika Tshering, said he collected vegetables from the locality and started his journey to Centenary Farmers Market in Thimphu on January 30.
He had a negative Covid-19 antigen test result with him.
“But I was not allowed to proceed further from the Sunkosh checkpoint,” Tika Tshering said. “I was asked to produce a negative RT-PCR test result.”
He returned to Dagapela hospital. He has already wasted three days.
“I have the vegetables still loaded in my pick-up truck,” Tika Tshering said.
He was allowed to travel after three days, but vegetables worth Nu 50,000 were damaged by then. “I couldn’t sell 500 kilograms (kg) of broccoli and 300 bundles of spinach. I fed them to cattle.”
Dagana dzongkhag, with a focus on winter vegetable production, has been able to supply local vegetables to other dzongkhags in recent times, but harvested produce from Tsendagang and Gozhi gewogs were damaged this time.
According to Gozhi gewog agriculture extension officer, Puran Lama, each household in the gewog lost about 400kg of vegetables, mostly cauliflower and broccoli, due to three to four days’ delay caused by the Covid-19 protocols.
“Transporting produce was challenging. Traffic officials from Gozhi allowed aggregators to travel but officials at the Sunkosh checkpoint sent them back,” he said.
With a comparatively higher population density, the two gewogs are the highest vegetable producers in the dzongkhag. About 50 households in Gozhi gewog have grown vegetables on 30 acres of agricultural land.
Another vegetable aggregator, Chabilal Yonzen, who was also sent back from the Sunkosh checkpoint, lost about 480kg of vegetables within three days.
Others like Pem Tshering lost 500kg of vegetables due to a week’s delay in receiving a travel permit during the lockdown, and Dilip Bista Chhetri incurred a loss of Nu 32,000.
An aggregator from Tshendang, Hochu Leki, said that without information from the authorities concerned, they collected vegetables and then were left helpless when they did not get travel permits due to delays in RT-PCR test results. “After hearing about issues in the movement permit, I did not harvest.”
A driver, Dhan Kumar Subba, who was transporting mandarins to Gelephu, could not travel since there were no escort services from the dzongkhag yesterday, because the one-week validity of his RT-PCR test results ended yesterday.
He was frustrated. “If I could travel today, I could have returned the same day. Now I have to wait another day for the results.”
He said that truckers understood the challenges during such times as Covid-19, but authorities should understand that transporting perishable goods was challenging too. “Since there were escort services daily in the past, we thought it would be available every day.”
The drivers alleged that changes in protocols were not communicated to the individuals involved, and this resulted in losses.
Eight vehicles were stranded at the Sunkosh checkpoint without escort services. Aggregators said escort services have become irregular.
“We heard that there are no de-suups to provide escort services,” Dhan Kumar Subba said.
The incident commander of the dzongkhag Covid-19 taskforce, Duba, said that as per the instructions from the National Covid-19 taskforce, all drivers require RT-PCR test results. “We couldn’t facilitate them, and there were delays in issuing travel permits.”
He said that it takes a 24-hour turnaround time to get the test results.
Dzongdag Duba, however, said that only some aggregators incurred major losses. “Even if we allowed them to travel, they would be stranded on the way without the RT-PCR test results.”


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Microsoft is rapidly advancing in the gaming industry through its brand Xbox, aiming to solidify its position as a market leader. Recently, Xbox has experienced significant traction and player growth as a result of consistent efforts from Phil Spencer and the team.
While Sony’s PlayStation has dominated the gaming console market for years, Xbox is now making bold moves to compete closely with PlayStation. To expand its player base globally, Microsoft has been on a shopping spree, acquiring established gaming studios to be part of the Xbox umbrella. Notable acquisitions in recent years include Ninja Theory and ZeniMax (the parent company of Bethesda).
Microsoft’s next acquisition, Activision Blizzard, is set to be one of the biggest video game studio deals of all time, with a price tag of $68.7 billion. The merger with Activision will undoubtedly boost Xbox on all gaming fronts, including PC, Console, Mobile, and Cloud markets.
And it looks like Microsoft already has post-merger projections for player base growth. The documents from the European Regulator who were investigating the Microsoft Activision deal reveal Microsoft’s expectation to reach 3 billion players across PC, Consoles, Mobile Devices, and Cloud by 2030.
Today, 3 billion consumers play games, a number that the Notifying Party expects to reach by 2030.”
The document also mentions that mobile gaming has become the highest in terms of revenue. Therefore, the well-established mobile division of Activision, King, will undoubtedly give Microsoft/Xbox a significant boost to penetrate that market more effectively. Phil Spencer has also emphasized multiple times that the primary interest of Microsoft is the mobile gaming advantage that Xbox will gain after acquiring Activision.
How Large the Gaming Industry Be By 2030?
According to the reputable German-based analyst company, Statista, the global video game industry is booming, with revenue projected to reach US$384.90 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.89%, reaching a market volume of US$521.60 billion by 2027.
Mobile games hold the largest market share, with a volume of US$286.50 billion in 2023. The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the video games market is expected to be US$142.50 in 2023.
The number of users is estimated to reach 3.10 billion by 2027, with user penetration increasing from 35.2% in 2023 to 39.0% in 2027. So, at this pace, the global video games market, including mobile gaming, will reach around 6 billion players by 2030. If Microsoft wants to capture 3 billion, that’s 50% of the entire market, which is quite ambitious.
But who knows what the dynamics of growth for Xbox will be after having a publisher like Activision Blizzard King by its side? As cloud gaming also has huge potential in the future, it wouldn’t be surprising if Microsoft manages to achieve its goals. Out of all the current dominant gaming companies, Microsoft’s Xbox is the one heavily investing in the cloud gaming sector.
What are your thoughts about this news? Let’s discuss this in the comments section below.