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Bitcoin price below $4000 after reported china ban on cryptocurrency
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With 2021 nearing a close, global shipments of Traditional PCs are forecast to reach 344.7 million units, according to the latest forecast from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
While annual shipments are expected to grow 13.5% during the year, shipments during the holiday quarter are expected to decline 3.4% as supply chain constraints and backups and cost increases around logistics continue to be a burden on getting products into many channels. Tablets face a similar trend with annual shipments in 2021 growing 4.3% while fourth quarter shipments are expected to decline 8.6%.
“The market has pulled past peak pandemic PC demand,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “While we have seen some slowing of consumer demand in certain segments and markets, demand for gaming remains an exception and overall consumer demand is well above pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the onset of saturation in some education markets is another cause for lower expectations in the coming quarters.”
Following two straight years of strong double-digit growth, the expectation is that the PC market will begin to slow in 2022. However, as we look towards 2025 the latest IDC forecast still shows a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% with most of that growth coming from the notebook PC segment. Tablets, meanwhile, will continue their decline as the category remains challenged by smartphones and notebook PCs.
“With on-going supply chain challenges we have seen OEMs prioritizing commercial demand in recent months,” said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “More often than not the commercial dollars are larger and more guaranteed compared to the consumer and education segments. The recent slowdown in the consumer segment is expected to continue into 2022, but in the long run we expect the consumer PC market will have a five-year growth rate similar to the commercial segment. Of the three market segments – commercial, consumer, and education – it is looking like commercial will be the only one to grow in 2022. Part of this is driven by supply, but also because it will take time for a consumer refresh cycle to happen following the wave of consumer buying that happened over the past two years. The education segment hasn’t been able to get all the devices it needs, but on a broader scale there haven’t been many cancelled orders. When supply catches up with demand, we expect to see an uplift in the education sector as well.”
IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly P ersonal C omputing Device Tracker gathers data in more than 90 countries and provides detailed, timely, and accurate information on the global personal computing device market. This includes data and insight into global trends around desktops, notebooks, detachable tablets, slate tablets, and workstations. In addition to insightful analysis, the program delivers quarterly market share data and a five-year forecast by country. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis.

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Google reportedly working on foldable Pixel for 2021 - CNET
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- Apple is rumored to release a pair of smart glasses as early as 2020.
- We've rounded up all of the details from reports over the years to give you an idea of what Apple might eventually release.
Apple is reportedly working on a pair of smart glasses.
The device is said to be an augmented reality (AR) headset, which overlays virtual images on top of what you see in the real world. Think "Pokémon Go," where you see the real world through your phone's camera, but digital Pokémon can also be seen depending on where you are. Instead of a smartphone, though, this would be a pair of glasses you wear directly in front of your eyes, likely paired with and powered by your iPhone.
The first reports of Apple's smart glasses started around 2015, so we've rounded up all of the rumors and news since that time to give you an idea of what to expect.
Apple poached engineers from rival companies working on similar technologies: It hired Nick Thompson in 2015, who was an engineer for Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headset.
According to Bloomberg, Apple’s initial AR efforts were spearheaded by Mike Rockwell, who was previously the head of engineering at Dolby Labs.
Rockwell was reportedly managing several hundred Apple engineers “scattered across office parks in both Cupertino and Sunnyvale, California.” His team was behind Apple’s ARKit, which let software developers build their own AR applications for iPhones and iPads.
In May 2015, Apple bought a German company called Metaio, which was working on augmented-reality tech that let you visualize Ikea furniture in your home, for example.
In January 2016, a report from The Financial Times said Apple had assembled a team of 100+ people to build prototypes for virtual and augmented reality headsets.
Source: The Financial Times
Apple also purchased Flyby Media in January 2016. Flyby notably worked with Google on its Project Tango technology, which let devices “see” the world around them, using augmented reality to help mobile devices capture maps of the environment in real-time.
In 2017, Bloomberg dropped a massive report on Apple's AR headset plans, saying the technology would be ready in 2019, and a product could ship as early as 2020.
Bloomberg's report said Apple’s smart glasses would run on a new system-on-a-chip, like the A-series chips that power iPhones, and an all-new operating system, internally called “rOS,” for “reality operating system.”
Bloomberg said Apple was looking into different ways for users to control the headset and launch apps, including “touch panels, voice-activation via Siri and head gestures.”
Apple was also said to be making a handful of applications for rOS, including “virtual meeting rooms and 360-degree video playback.” It was also considering ways to make a version of the App Store for rOS.
In 2018, Apple bought Akonia Holographics, a startup that made lenses for augmented-reality glasses. This was the first clear indication of how Apple might make optical displays that could be thin and light enough to fit into glasses, but also create AR imagery bright enough for outdoor use.
In March, a new research note from Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the most reliable and accurate Apple analysts in the world said Apple was planning to mass produce its first smart glasses “in the middle of next year,” which would be marketed as an iPhone accessory.
Kuo’s research note said Apple’s AR glasses would wirelessly leverage the computing and networking of the iPhone in order to keep the glasses lightweight, in the same way much of the processing on the early Apple Watches was handled by iPhones.
Kuo says Apple is aiming to mass-produce the glasses as early as “the fourth quarter of this year,” but mentions the timeframe could be pushed back to “the second quarter of 2020.”
Apple has previously made some public statements about the potential of augmented reality. CEO Tim Cook in 2016 said "augmented reality will take some time to get right, but I do think that it's profound."
Apple’s design chief Jony Ive also said in 2017 that “there are certain ideas that we have and we are waiting for the technology to catch up with the idea.”


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PHOTO GALLERY: Lucky's Market opens one day early
January 14, 2014 | 5:33 p.m. CSTLucky's Market opened Tuesday, one day ahead of its scheduled Wednesday opening. The 30,000-square foot store features food and health products, along with alcohol. The store, which was started in Boulder, Colo., is the fourth to open in the country.
RELATED STORIES: Lucky's Market brings full grocery line to downtown


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A decline in February’s UK mortgage approvals data was not enough to keep the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate from pushing higher at the start of the week.
Last Week: UK Inflation Miss Limited Pound US Dollar Exchange Rate Upside
As the UK inflation rate failed to pick up as forecast in February, instead dipping from 0.7% to 0.4% on the year, this left the Pound on a weaker footing.
Although the March services PMI showed a much stronger performance than anticipated this was not enough to give the GBP/USD exchange rate any boost.
However, as the latest US durable goods orders figure saw a sharp contraction on the month, pointing towards weaker consumer confidence, the US Dollar started to fall out of favour.
The widening of February’s advance goods trade deficit also weighed on the US Dollar on Friday, with deteriorating trade conditions looking set to weigh on US economic growth in the first quarter.
Three Things to Watch out for This Week
1. UK Gross Domestic Product
While no change is forecast for the finalised fourth quarter gross domestic the report could still prompt some fresh volatility for GBP exchange rates.
Any indication of a sharper slowdown in economic momentum during the final three months of 2020 could see the Pound come under pressure.
2. US ISM Manufacturing PMI
Confidence in the underlying health of the US economy looks set to improve on the back of Thursday’s ISM manufacturing PMI.
As long as the manufacturing sector delivers another solid month of growth in March this is likely to limit the downside potential of USD exchange rates.
3. US Non-Farm Payrolls
The mood towards the US Dollar could improve dramatically on Friday if March’s non-farm payrolls figure increases as sharply as anticipated.
A solid uptick in employment could see USD exchange rates pushing higher across the board, with a stronger labour market likely to offset other causes for concern within the US economy.
GBP/USD Exchange Rate Outlook
With forecasts pointing towards an improved ISM manufacturing PMI and stronger non-farm payrolls report the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate appears vulnerable to selling pressure this week.


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Last week, the rapper and icon announced he’s quitting "smoke" but it's not what you think.
November 20, 2023
Willie’s Reserve is now available at Puff dispensaries and several other retailers throughout Michigan.
November 3, 2023
Under federal law, technically, cocaine is labeled as less dangerous than pot.
July 6, 2023
Massachusetts-based Temescal Wellness, which owns three dispensaries in the state, recently announced that April 20 will be a paid company holiday.
March 20, 2023
The High Holidays festivities will be in honor of 4/20 and Willie Nelson's birthday.
April 8, 2021
In an interview, former President Jimmy Carter revealed that one of his sons toked up with the icon Willie Nelson.
September 14, 2020
A big change for a legendary weed smoker.
December 5, 2019


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Amazon.com chief executive Jeff Bezos is participating in a $5 million round of funding in Business Insider, the high-metabolism online news site founded by Henry Blodget, the former Merrill Lynch tech stock analyst barred from working in the securities industry as part of a 2003 settlement with the SEC in the aftermath of the tech stock bust.
“This capital will allow us to continue to invest aggressively in many areas of the business, including editorial, tech/product, sales and marketing, subscriptions, and events. As we mentioned last night, it will also allow us to expand our office,” Blodget wrote in a memo to staffers. Blodget described Bezos’ investment as “significant” but didn’t say how much of the $5 million Bezos is contributing.
Here is what we know about BI’s financials:
- The Bezos investment brings the total raised by Business Insider to about $18 million.
- When it last raised money in 2011, the company was valued at $50 million. We’re still trying to pin down the new valuation. Blodget told AllThingsD it’s “above” $50 million and told me it’s “double super-secret.” Many of BI’s competitors are valued at much more than $50 million.
- Business Insider had $4.8 million in revenue in 2010, turning an Amazon-like profit of $2,127—yes, two thousand dollars. Revenue grew to about $7.5 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2012, but as the company expanded, it ended up losing $3 million last year. (I’ve updated this bullet point with revenue figures provided by Blodget.)
- The company has spent about $7 million of the venture capital it has raised.
As a fascinating side note, Blodget’s history with Amazon stretches back to his time as a tech stock analyst, when a bullish call on the shares of the online retailer helped propel him to stardom. As the New Yorker’s Ken Auletta recounted in his recent piece on Blodget for the magazine:
Blodget first attracted public attention in December, 1998. At the time, most analysts were focussing on Amazon’s lack of profits; Blodget analyzed the company’s swift revenue growth and projected its expansion for the next five years, predicting that its stock price would jump from two hundred and forty dollars to four hundred dollars a share. Jonathan Cohen, Merrill Lynch’s Internet analyst, disparaged the forecast, but within a month Amazon’s share price had exceeded five hundred dollars. Requests for Blodget press interviews poured in.


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Parent sues hotel in Parkview High School hazing caseParent sues hotel in Parkview High School hazing caseThe parent claims that a hotel employee gave a keycard to upperclassmen who then used it to enter his son's room and attack him and others.
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Hyatt, apartments, offices planned for Royal OakHyatt, apartments, offices planned for Royal Oak$48M project may replace long-vacant car dealership on N. Main with “modern, mixed-use district”; 144 jobs expected
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Smooth sailing for Hyatt Regency Coconut Point water rideSmooth sailing for Hyatt Regency Coconut Point water rideThe Bonita Springs zoning board recommended approval for a water slide at the Hyatt Regency
Program teaches job skills to students with disabilitiesProgram teaches job skills to students with disabilitiesHands On @Hyatt teaches students with disabilities skills to work in hotels or restaurants.
Downtown Hyatt may be sold after city moveDowntown Hyatt may be sold after city moveCity Council expected to OK easement to clear the way for a sale
Chandler company among Fortune's '100 Best Workplaces for Millennials'Chandler company among Fortune's '100 Best Workplaces for Millennials'Infusionsoft, a Chandler business software company, ranks among Google and Yelp thanks to its awesome perks and culture.
U.S. seeks to boost international visitors to 100 million a yearU.S. seeks to boost international visitors to 100 million a yearCommerce Secretary outlines plan to boost international visits to USA to 100 million a year.
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The top companies for customer service are ...The top companies for customer service are ...The top companies for customer service are ...
Business NewsBusiness NewsA digest of news from businesses in, and of interest to, the Salinas Valley.
5 Lansing-area development projects to watch5 Lansing-area development projects to watchPark District, Red Cedar and Waverly golf courses, The Heights at Eastwood, General Motors
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Q4 earnings cap profitable year for Hyatt, Hilton, MarriottQ4 earnings cap profitable year for Hyatt, Hilton, MarriottMajor hotel companies cap profitable 2014 with solid Q4 earnings.
What to watch on Wall Street Feb 18What to watch on Wall Street Feb 18Some key insight from the Federal Reserve and hotel earnings: that's what to watch on Wall Street for Wednesday, Feb. 18. Hilton Worldwide (HLT) and Hyatt Hotels (H) report financial results before the opening bell.
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Ways to Save: 10 companies with top customer serviceWays to Save: 10 companies with top customer serviceIn my continued search to save you time and money, Monday we celebrated the merchants who make life easier online and off. Over the past almost decade of tested thousands upon thousands of retailers, ordered, returned, troubleshot and put customer service agents in the...
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"I plan to sit on the beach as long as the sun is here," then head out for a seafood dinner, said Fitzgerald, 44, of Fairfax, Virginia. Those who don't evacuate the islands should prepare for possibly getting stuck for several days without food, water or power, National Hurricane Center forecaster Stacy Stewart said Thursday.
water. Like all areas north of Oregon Inlet, Kill Devils Hills wasn't under an evacuation. Fitzgerald said he saw no need to disrupt his family's vacation. Adidas Campus St
north of the only bridge off Hatteras, Sean Fitzgerald and his 5 year old son, Cade, enjoyed a sunny morning lounging in beach chairs in the town of Kill Devil Hills.
"We want the public to take this system very seriously, go ahead and start their preparations because time is beginning to run out," he said. Arthur, the first named storm of the Atlantic season, prompted a hurricane warning for much of the North Carolina coast. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for coastal areas in South Carolina and Virginia. On the Outer Banks' Ocracoke Island, accessible only by ferry, a voluntary evacuation was underway. Before sunset Wednesday on Highway 12, a long line of cars, trailers and recreational vehicles formed a stead.
storm hit, tourism officials had expected 250,000 people to travel to the Outer Banks for the holiday weekend. Gov. Pat McCrory sought to strike a balance between a stern warning to vacationers and optimism that part of the busy weekend could be salvaged. On Wednesday, he warned people: "Don't put your stupid hat on. "But the next day, even as the storm gathered strength, he said: "Of course, this holiday weekend, the July 4th weekend, is one of the biggest weekends for coastal tourism in the state, and we anticipate a beautiful weekend after the Tropical Storm Arthur or the Hurricane Arthur is out of North Carolina. "Some visitors stayed put, hopeful the fast moving storm would follow predictions to pass through by Friday afternoon. About 20 Adidas Boots With Fur Womens miles Adidas Campus Womens Grey
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(Bloomberg) — The U.S. is preparing to announce by early December tariffs on all remaining Chinese imports if talks next month between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping fail to ease the trade war, three people familiar with the matter said.
An early-December announcement of a new product list would mean the effective date — after a 60-day public comment period — may coincide with China’s Lunar New Year holiday in early February. The list would would apply to the imports from the Asian nation that aren’t already covered by previous rounds of tariffs — which may be $257 billion using last year’s import figures, according to two of the people.
U.S. officials are preparing for such a scenario in case a planned Trump-Xi meeting yields no progress on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires in November, according to two of the people, who declined to be identified to discuss internal deliberations. They cautioned that final decisions had not been made.
The move indicates the Trump administration remains willing to escalate its trade war with China even as companies complain about the rising costs of tariffs and financial markets continue to be nervous about the global economic fallout.
Stocks erase gains partly on concern about an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The was little changed at 2,662.39 at 2:15 p.m. in New York, after earlier rising as much as 1.8 percent.
The U.S. this year has already imposed tariffs on $250 billion in trade with China. Ten percent tariffs on $200 billion in imports that took effect in September are due to increase to 25 percent on Jan. 1. Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on the remaining goods imports from China, which last year were worth $505 billion.
“We are in the middle of a pretty nasty dispute. We’re in a trade dispute — I want to use that word because it’s a nice, soft word — but we’re going to win,” Trump said on Saturday at an event in Indiana. “You know why? ’Cause we always win.”
A request for comment from the White House was not immediately answered.
As another option, the White House is also considering excluding trade from the meeting agenda but it is unlikely to cancel it altogether, according to two people familiar with the matter.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday said a meeting between Trump and Xi at the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 summit was still in the planning stages.
Fusion Media or anyone involved with Fusion Media will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, it is one of the riskiest investment forms possible.


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The American dream of owning a home is still alive and well, but a large percentage of Americans today feel that for now, renting might be the better option.
With home prices still falling and foreclosures still flooding the market, just 65 percent of those surveyed in CNBC's All-America survey said they are better off owning than renting, far less than the 89 percent who favored owning back in 1996.
On the bright side, Americans do feel better about their home values, and that is vital given that home equity is such a key driver of consumer spending. If we feel richer, we buy more.
Twenty-two percent of those surveyed believe their home values will increase in the next year. That's up from 15 percent last quarter and the highest level in two years, albeit less than half of the 50 percent who expected home price appreciation in March 2007, when housing was about to fall off a cliff.
Fifty-eight percent said they expect prices to stay flat, while 20 percent say home prices will continue to lose value.
Analysts who watch housing for a living are all over the map on this question, some predicting further price drops of up to 10 percent, while others claim prices have bottomed.
It does seem that Americans are more realistic about their home values, with fewer now saying their home is worth more than they paid for it.
Strangely, though, a majority (52 percent) of those who lost money on their largest investment, i.e. thought their home was worth less than when they bought it, still said they did not want any more government intervention in housing. Fifty-three percent of all those surveyed said no to more bailout.
Housing has long been a primary driver of the U.S. economy; money spent on a home and money taken out of home to buy other things have fueled U.S. businesses and labor.
The good news is that 73 percent of Americans still believe owning a home is an essential part of the American dream, unchanged from the survey’s findings a year ago.


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Amidst all of Apple's recent app non-rejections and changes to allow APIs that were private, it was announced earlier this week that the company is now requiring developers of apps that implement live streaming video to use the HTTP Live Stream protocol.
The HTTP Live Stream protocol uses web standards to implement video, and also allows for use of iPhone-friendly formats like H.264 encoded streams for QuickTime (supported on the iPhone since iPhone OS 3.0).
This change also requires developers to create a minimum stream of video no larger than 64kbps, for use with slower connections.
It's still not known if this will have any impact on AT&T's position on streaming video over a 3G connection, but developers are still trying to find ways to work around Apple's restrictions. One example is the EyeTV update that was released earlier today, which works via Mobile Safari to stream video over a 3G connection.
Apple requiring the HTTP live stream protocol for iPhone apps
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Sbarro rolls out new pizza nationwide
After a months-long test, Sbarro rolled out its newly reformulated Neapolitan-style pizza nationwide Tuesday, fueled by a promotion that will take two vintage pizza trucks to 25 cities across the country where they will hand out slices for free.
The new thin-crust pizza had been part of a highly publicized test at 10 Sbarro locations that also explored a variety of new menu items, plus a new service style and updated décor.
Sbarro’s chief executive Jim Greco said the Neapolitan-style pizza, which is prepared in wood-fired ovens, was enthusiastically embraced by customers “by a wide margin.”
The new recipe, said Sbarro’s president Anthony Missano, contains higher quality ingredients than the chain’s previous pies. The new pizza is made with whole milk mozzarella, whole peeled tomatoes and hand rolled dough. The recipe also calls for Pecorino Romano cheese and a simpler tomato sauce flavored with fewer spices.
While ingredients are higher quality, Greco said the price will remain the same. The Italian quick-service chain’s average check is about $8.20, Missano said.
A variety of toppings will be available at all stores, including cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach and tomato. However, several specialty pies — a Hawaiian pie, for example — also will be featured in different locales.
The new pizza will be promoted throughout the month of October — National Pizza Month — with two 1949 vintage International pizza trucks that were restored for the event. One truck will begin its pizza odyssey in New York City’s Times Square and cover the eastern half of the country, while a second truck will embark from Los Angels and cover the western half. The trucks both contain wood-fired ovens similar to those found in the 10 test units.
“They will allow folks to sample the new recipe for free,” Greco said.
In the meantime, the 1,013-unit brand will continue its migration toward becoming a fast-casual chain, its executives say. The company will continue to test new pasta dishes, salads, desserts and “handheld” options, according to Greco, although he declined to provide details.
In addition, the chain will also introduce the next generation unit design — tentatively called “the Sbarro of Tomorrow” — in late January or early February, Greco said. “We’re looking at all elements — equipment, menu, materials, colors,” he added. “It will all be in keeping with our new brand positioning. It will embrace the fast-casual segment.”
Greco also said the Melville, N.Y.-based chain plans to shift its new-unit development focus from its traditional mall-based outlets to more urban, street-front locations that will allow for more robust foot traffic.


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Continuing its pioneering efforts in the small-medium enterprise (SME) segment, Sri Lanka’s premier private sector commercial bank, HNB PLC announced the completion of three workshops aimed at identifying potential export markets, and facilitating links between buyers and sellers in order to encourage SME’s towards Bank financing under Expo Credit.
The regional SME workshops hosted by HNB followed on the strong positive contributions to the local SME sector that the bank’s SME Export Credit facility has made upon launch in close collaboration with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB). The pioneering new facility was specially designed to meet the requirements and aspirations of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning SME sector.
“Based on current and projected economic trends, we anticipate substantial growth in the SME sector over the medium-long term. As an organization which has a long standing legacy of positive development in the micro and SME sector, we are confident that HNB’s ability to leverage cutting edge technology to unleash new growth opportunities and add value to grow SME exports, which in turn will lead to greater prosperity for all Sri Lankans.” HNB Deputy General Manager – SME, Jude Fernando stated.
Each of these landmark events were successfully conducted with the support of EDB, WEBXPAY, National Chamber of Exporters and Alibaba.com. This remarkable partnership between private and public sectors aimed to empower Micro, Small and Medium businesses in Sri Lanka to adapt and integrate e-commerce channels into their business models, potentially unleashing exponential new business opportunities for the sector over the short- medium term.
Moving forward, Fernando reiterated HNB’s commitment to exploring every possible avenue for empowerment of Micro, Small and Medium businesses in Sri Lanka, particularly through a stronger integration with e-commerce channels, in addition to the bank’s numerous other initiatives aimed at promoting financial literacy and timely and sustainable access to personalized financial solutions.
Maintaining an island-wide presence across 251 customer centres, HNB also offers some of Sri Lanka’s most innovative internet and mobile banking services in the country that are designed to usher in a new technology- enabled banking paradigm.
The bank continues to receive local and global recognition for its numerous achievements, including Bank of the Year in Sri Lanka for 2017 by The Banker Magazine UK and a further 10 awards for Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka by the Asian Banker Magazine. Similarly, the bank’s pioneering efforts to serve the Micro and SME sector also continues to win international recognition and set new benchmarks across the Sri Lankan banking industry, with HNB winning the award for Best Microfinance Product in Asia Pacific by the Asian Banker and, winning Best Bank for SME at the Asiamoney Awards 2018.


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Sponsored Videos: Mr. President and K-pop sensation dance New York style at Times Square!:
`Live Image Show’ by Hyundai connected cameras to its main outdoor billboard at Two Times Square, so people can capture images of themselves and have them projected live on Hyundai’s billboard.
The cameras are perched on top of the TKTS ticket booth (i.e., the famous Red Stairs) in Times Square and unlike previous wide-angle shots that capture random people, Hyundai’s cameras zoom in on a handful of people.
Times Square is one of the world’s most famous tourist spots, where people, including our customers, travel from afar to create unforgettable moments,” said Won-Hong Cho, Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Co. in Seoul. “We wanted to create a special moment for our customers at this special venue – a brilliant moment.”
New York’s Times Square is a global landmark, considered to be one of the world’s busiest commercial hubs. Approximately 1.5 million people are estimated to pass by on a daily basis, while 550 million visit on an annual basis. The Two Times Square building, where Hyundai has secured advertising space since October 2009, is one of the most coveted advertising spots in the world.
Hyundai Facebook Page
This post was sponsored by Hyundai Motor Co.


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- Event Info
- Inside Track
- MyRVC Portal
Ottawa, ON (June 2, 2023) – Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are excited to announce Edmonton as the official host of Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2024.
Celebrating its 47th year, RVC is Canada’s premier marketplace for the tourism industry. The signature event enables the Canadian tourism industry to connect with international buyers as well as key travel trade media.
“Events like RVC have never been more important to our industry, shining a global spotlight on Canada and creating meaningful opportunities for destinations and businesses across the globe. Next year, we’ll be bringing RVC 2024 to Edmonton, Alberta’s capital. We’re confident delegates will enjoy exploring and learning more about this vibrant urban centre in the heart of stunning Canadian wilderness,” said Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada.
“We’re excited to join forces with Explore Edmonton and Travel Alberta to host RVC 2024,” said Beth Potter, President and CEO TIAC. “United in our mission to return the Canadian tourism industry to pre-pandemic levels, Edmonton’s diverse city and Alberta’s iconic landscapes will provide the perfect backdrop for Canadian sellers and global buyers to make connections and generate business for years to come.”
Explore Edmonton and Travel Alberta will work collaboratively to host more than 1,500 delegates next year.
“Explore Edmonton is beyond excited to be the host city for Rendez-vous Canada in 2024,” says Traci Bednard, President and CEO of Explore Edmonton. “We look forward to showcasing Edmonton and our new tourism offerings to our international travel trade buyers and partners.
“Travel trade is an integral part of our business and as Edmonton rebuilds, we are excited to highlight the city to the world. Edmonton is Canada’s festival city – vibrant, culturally rich and energized – with new experiences like the award-winning Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park where visitors and locals make a shared connection to the story of this land. Edmonton is ready to warmly welcome our partners and industry colleagues and build back Canada’s visitor economy together,” continues Bednard.
“With its rich culinary landscape, Indigenous experiences and warm western hospitality, Edmonton is ready, willing and able to host Rendez-Vous Canada 2024 and give visitors and delegates the time of their lives, adds The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance.
The news of Edmonton being named the official host city of RVC 2024 comes on the heels of the successful completion of RVC 2023 in Québec City.
It’s estimated that RVC 2023 will bring in more than $90 Million in future tourism revenue for the province of Québec. The event featured more than 400 international buyers, exposing each and every province and territory to opportunities from around the world. Additionally, over 800 Canadian tourism operators from throughout Canada showcased their experiences to global buyers.
“Team Alberta is thrilled to welcome delegates next year to Canada’s wild side, to Canada’s Alberta, for Rendez-vous Canada 2024,” said David Goldstein, CEO of Travel Alberta. “This will be an incredible opportunity for travel professionals from Canada and across the world to experience the unrivaled spirit of adventure offered by Alberta and the warm western hospitality of Albertans.”
ABOUT RENDEZ-VOUS CANADA
For over 47 years, Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) has developed a reputation as Canada’s premier marketplace for the tourism industry, enabling domestic tourism businesses with international and domestic buyers. In so doing, the tradeshow has supported the recovery of the tourism economy in Canada and is leading the charge on bringing resilience to the sector. For more information, visit https://www.rendezvouscanada.ca/.


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And in a downturn that has been outright epic — with furniture makers reporting year-to-year sales declines in excess of 30 percent and pushing the industry back to a sales level of 17 years ago — the recovery is expected to come slowly after a 2009 that Herman Miller Inc. President and CEO Brian Walker recently told shareholders has been “a year like no other.”
For now, Walker and other industry leaders believe the worst is likely over — business has hit bottom and demand is stabilizing. They expect sales to gradually begin to rebound, though probably not until the latter half of 2010.
“We think we’ve seen the worst and the economy will improve, albeit slowly,” Walker said during the annual shareholders meeting in October. “We also think our business won’t begin to pick up significantly until later next year.”
For now, furniture makers are reporting steep sales declines.
In September, Zeeland-based Herman Miller reported a 32.4 percent sales decline to $324.0 million for the first quarter of its 2010 fiscal year.
Likewise, Grand Rapids-based Steelcase Inc. [NYSE: SCS] last month reported a 35.9 percent sales decline to $578.1 million for the second quarter of its 2010 fiscal year. Steelcase sales fell 34.6 percent to $1.22 billion for the first six months of FY 2010.
Revenue declines were “broad-based, significantly affecting almost all our geographies, vertical markets and product categories,” Steelcase reported in its recent quarterly financial statement filed with federal securities regulators.
“We expect the effects of the global economic slowdown to continue to impact the demand for office furniture across all of our segments through the remainder of (FY) 2010,” the company stated in the filing. “However, percentage declines compared to the prior year are expected to moderate in the coming quarters, as we entered this downturn beginning in Q3 (of FY) 2009.”
Elsewhere, Iowa-based HNI Corp. last week said third-quarter sales for its office furniture division plunged 32.2 percent from a year earlier, to $379.9 million, and, year to date, are down 32.4 percent from 2008 to $1.04 billion.
At East Greenville, Pa.-based Knoll Inc., which has operations in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, quarterly sales fell 36.1 percent to $181.3 million for the period and were off 29.3 percent through the third quarter to $506.0 million.
How quickly the industry bounces back depends on the rate of the national economic recovery and key indicators such as white-collar job growth, corporate profits, capital spending and new office construction.
The last outlook issued in August from the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association expects the industry to finish 2009 with a 31.0 percent decline in North American shipments to $7.7 billion, a sales level that was first surpassed in 1992. Next year should bring a subsequent, albeit much smaller, 1 percent shipment decline to $7.6 billion, as the industry begins to rebound in the latter half of the year.
While it’s been the harshest downturn the industry has ever faced, with declines coming faster and harder than in any previous period, furniture makers were better prepared for the situation after going through major restructurings earlier this decade when business dropped by some 35 percent from 2001- 03.
Furniture makers are again restructuring and downsizing to the lower sales levels, as well as continuing to pursue new and emerging markets — such as health care, higher education and Asia — that they began to target more aggressively out of the prior downturn.
And, as Walker stressed to shareholders, “we have learned to make better use of our resources. Of course, we should always be doing this. But harsh reality can make it easier to find ways to do more with less.”
Contact Mark Sanchez at email@example.com, or follow him on Twitter @masanche.


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eBay has agreed to acquire Shutl, a UK-based technology start-up that connects online retailers with local same-day couriers, for an undisclosed amount to expand its local delivery capabilities.
Founded by Tom Allason, the company recently expanded into the US, offering a similar service in Manhattan and Chicago.
As part of its new local commerce initiatives, eBay is planning to expand the eBay Now service to 25 markets by the end of 2014, including major metro areas in North America and select international markets.
eBay Now, which was introduced in October 2012 and currently launched in Chicago, is a service available through iPhone, Android and desktop web that delivers products to shoppers from local stores like Best Buy, Macy’s and Target in less than an hour.
Devin Wenig, president of eBay Marketplaces, said: "With eBay’s latest steps, we are bringing together the best of what people need from a shopping experience – speed and convenience – with things people love about shopping, like discovery and inspiration.
"Today, approximately 75 per cent of what people buy is local, found within 15 miles from their home. Traditional retail isn’t going away. But it is transforming, and that creates enormous opportunity within the $10trn total commerce market."
The company also launched a new page on eBay.com called eBay Today that helps shoppers to find best collections of items, which are selected daily by its new chief curator and editorial director Michael Phillips Moskowitz.


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HOUSTON—U.S. Zinc Corp. formalized its alliance with HB Chemical Corp. as its preferred rubber distributor in North America.
According to U.S. Zinc, HB Chemical has 10 warehouses throughout the U.S. and has distributed rubber accelerators, activators, plasticizers, takifiers, antioxidants, polymers, phenolics, rubber to metal bonding agents, additives, chemicals and process aids for the rubber, plastics and coatings industries for nearly three decades.
“We've been working with HB Chemical for 20-plus years,” said Tracy Baugh, U.S. Zinc vice president of commercial. “As we've consolidated distributors, HB has been a beneficiary from some of that consolidation as well as us giving them accounts that we called on directly. We've actually increased the amount of scope that they have with U.S. Zinc.”
HB Chemical recently opened a distribution warehouse between Cleveland and Akron, which President Jeff Rand said is 130,000 square feet, 80,000 square feet larger than the previous facility, and represents an investment of more than $4 million.
Rand said the new facility allows HB to be better situated to support its entire customer base. The warehouse provides more streamlined shipping and receiving areas, has a state of the art bulk unloading area and bulk storage capability, and a high hazard storage area.
Baugh said that as U.S. Zinc has strengthened its alliance with HB Chemical, HB Chemical has received more accounts—including ones U.S. Zinc had called on directly. Baugh praised HB Chemical for securing accounts on its own, accounts that U.S. Zinc said it wouldn't have been able to get in the past.
HB Chemical's primary focus for U.S. Zinc is selling zinc oxide for the rubber industry in the Midwest, but the firm has the ability to sell U.S. Zinc material in whatever region it deems appropriate.
“If you look at where the rubber industry is primarily located, it's in the same region where they primarily operate,” Baugh said. “Not only have they done a good job for us, but they're located in the right region and calling on the right customers. We expect, and have seen, our sales in the rubber industry improve and expect it to continue to because of the alliance that we have with HB Chemical.”
U.S. Zinc is a worldwide manufacturer, recycler and supplier of zinc oxide, zinc dust, zinc metal and zinc fines. Headquartered in Houston, the firm operates plants in North America, South America and Asia.
The firm is in the process of adding 17,000 metric tons per year to its total volume through two expansions to its Tennessee facilities. Baugh said the expansion in Clarksville was complete in 2013, while Millington is in progress and will be complete in the fourth quarter of 2014. Each expansion will add about 8,500 tons per facility and create seven jobs at each site.
Millington will add additional warehouse storage as part of the expansion.
“Over the last couple of years, we've seen some growth in the market and some consolidation from our competitors,” Baugh said. “We see the future being pretty bright as far as capacity being added in the tire industry, so we're trying to stay ahead of the new growth in the North American tire market.”


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It seems strange that there hasn’t been a gender-neutral option for fitness apps up until now.
Fitness and gym management platform Wodify recently announced the launch of its “Gender-Free Athlete Experience” in their latest platform update.
Wodify – an inclusive fitness platform
The platform has over 4,500 users including gyms, fitness centres and personal trainers and helps to make the business of managing members and clients more streamlined and productive.
Gym managers who use Wodify will now have the flexibility to choose whether they would like to add an option for their athletes who prefer not to specify a binary gender (male/female).
They state that two of their ‘Core Values’ are to “Be Authentic” and “Do The Right Thing”, which seems perfectly in keeping with making this update, allowing their trans and non-binary members to feel more included.
The simple act of ticking a box to state you’re either male or female could be incredibly stressful and exclusionary for those who do not identify as either, and this simple change that allows members not to select either option goes a long way to improve inclusivity within the fitness industry.
In addition to this, Wodify leaderboards, coachboards, and whiteboards now have display options to toggle between male/female or non-gendered views. This means that WOD results and workout class sign-ins won’t be required to filter into one gender category or the other, creating a more inclusive experience for the athlete.
“Something as simple as designing a gender-free athlete experience goes a long way to remove barriers and help transgender and gender non-conforming people feel more accepted and increases their chances for success. We applaud Wodify for taking this step, and hope more companies will follow suit to make fitness more inclusive for all.”– Will Lanier, Executive Director of The OUT Foundation.
Shout out to OUTWOD
Let’s send a little extra love to The OUT Foundation and their subsidiary
Fitness programs and gay personal trainers
A reminder that should you want a little help with your own fitness journey, you can purchase one of our Gay Fitness UK training programs to get 6-weeks worth of training direct to your phone from just £12.99.
Or better yet, get in touch with one of our gay personal trainers that will be there with you every step of the way.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Weekly Workout Newsletter for weekly workouts (obvs).


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» Auto updated continuously
Display limited to 'Virgin Mobile' in document titles and meta descriptions. Display In Whole Documents or use the calendar above to adjust the date setting.
Virgin Mobile's US stores get the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus a week late... +
Virgin Mobile's US stores will get both the standard iPhone 8 and Plus models on September 29th. That's a full week after every other major American carrier gets the device, which is rough for Virgin Mobile in particular since it now only offers...
BRIEF-virgin Mobile USA says members of inner circle will be able to pre-order iphone 8, iphone 8 plus beginning Sept. 22... +
Virgin Mobile USA...
Bring Your iPhone to Virgin Mobile, Get 12 Months of Service for $1... +
If you're an iPhone user, Sprint's discount brand Virgin Mobile has a new promotion you might not be able to pass up....
You can sign up for Virgin Mobile’s $1 unlimited plan without buying a new iPhone... +
Back in June, Virgin Mobile became an iPhone-only carrier, offering unlimited talk, text, and data, for $1 for the entire first year if you bought an iPhone from them. Now the carrier is expanding......
How to decide if Virgin's $1 mobile plan is right for you... +
Virgin just removed the biggest caveat, but let's see if this seemingly unbeatable deal really is....
You can use your own iPhone to get Virgin's $1-a-year plan... +
Looks like Virgin Mobile is on a mission to sign up as many iPhone users as it can. The carrier has just announced that you can now bring your own iPhone and enjoy its $1-a-year subscription offer. When the company began exclusively catering to iPhon......
Even if the iPhone 8 does cost $1,000, this wireless deal is still worth it... +
Its no secret that Virgin Mobile loves the iPhone. Its the only smartphone the carrier sells right now. But the company just revealed a great deal right in time for the iPhone 8s arrival....
Virgin now lets you bring your own iPhone to $1-a-year deal... +
The sweet offer announced in June that gives switchers a year of unlimited data for a dollar is now available to existing iPhone owners, not just new buyers....
Bring your iPhone to Virgin Mobile, get a year of unlimited cell service for $1... +
Virgin Mobile is redefining itself, and a part of that new identity involves partnering with Apple and turning its business into the first "iPhone-only&qu


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WELCOME TO CARE in BURUNDI!
We are pleased to announce the launch of a series of podcasts aiming at TELLING THE STORY OF NAWE NUZE Innovation HUB.
For your information, In 2018, as per CARE's commitment to catalyze an inclusive movement across Burundi to create new solutions and the conditions for a gender just society, CARE has opened up an INNOVATION HUB next to its office in BUJUMBURA under the brand name: NAWE NUZE (meaning YOU TOO, COME).
If you would like to know more about the NAWE NUZE Innovation HUB, please listen to our podcasts.
CARE in BURUNDI Team


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Deloitte 2016 Global life sciences outlook
Moving forward with cautious optimism
by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Overview and outlook
The life sciences industry has fared well in past economic recessions but how is it performing in today’s volatile marketplace, one characterized by economic uncertainty, reform-driven pricing pressures, increased demand for innovation and value, more focus on the consumer and consumer engagement, and an ever-changing regulatory and risk environment?
The life sciences sector’s growth correlates highly with countries’ general economic strength and health care spending levels, and both of these vary widely around the globe. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) reports that health care spending in the 60 countries that it covers rose by 2.6 percent in nominal U.S. dollar terms in 2014 but that spending is forecasted to dip in 2015, reflecting the current weakness of the euro and other currencies against the U.S. dollar.1 And while spending growth is expected to pick up beginning in 2016, the pressure to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and prove value remains intense. Because of these contradictory trends, global health care spending is expected to increase by only an average of 4.3 percent in 2015-2019, more slowly than it did before the 2009 recession. Spending as a percentage of GDP is also expected to decline, from around 10.3 percent in 2014 to 10.1 percent in 2019.2 Per- head health spending is projected to increase from $1,145 in 2014 to $1,412 in 2019. However, spending levels will vary greatly among developed and developing countries, ranging from $11,038 in the United States to just $58 in Pakistan.
Entering the second half of this decade, most life sciences organizations appear to be adopting an attitude of cautious optimism. Significant opportunities exist in the global marketplace but challenges exist, as well. Spending growth in pharmaceuticals (pharma), biotechnology (biotech), and medical technologies (medtech) is projected to follow an upward trend due to increasing demand, but pricing challenges are still an issue. Industry margins are being eroded by high discounts, retail sector price controls, public sector purchasing policies, and the move to value-based care. Strong economic growth looks hard to come by in many countries; therefore, assumptions on health spending may need to be revised downward. In response to today’s dynamically changing clinical, regulatory, and business landscape, pharma, biotech, and medtech companies are re-evaluating and adapting traditional research and development (R&D), pricing, supply chain, and commercial models.
This 2016 global outlook reviews the current state of the life sciences sector; explores trends impacting markets and organizations; provides regional perspectives; and suggests considerations for stakeholders as they seek to grow revenue and market share.


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Published in News
Chipmakers raise prices because of Gold
They're the man, the man with the Midas touch
The fluctuating price of gold has forced chip packaging houses to jack up their prices.
ASE has started raising its prices for new products and contracts and SPIL is expected to follow. According to Digitimes chip packagers are speeding up their transition to copper wire processes to avoid needing to use so much gold in their products. However high gold prices are eating into their bottom lines.
Gold wire bonding still accounts for more than 70 per cent of some suppliers' total packaged shipments and is a key part in their gross margin. ASE saw its margins drop by two per cent and SPIL revealed in its quarterly financial report that gross margin for the first quarter decreased to 16 per cent from 20.1 per cent.
Gold costs US$1,250 an ounce which is an all-time high. (When it hits $1,500 I'm selling my fillings. sub.ed.)


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U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) greets reporters as he comes for a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. November 1, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk sparred with Senator Bernie Sanders around tax coverage this weekend on Twitter, and tried to provoke him once again on Monday morning.
According to his website, the unbiased Senator (who typically caucuses with Democrats) is a proponent of transitioning the U.S. vitality system to renewables, offering $200 billion to a Eco-friendly Local weather Fund, and other environment-oriented guidelines that would provide Tesla perfectly.
But he is also a proponent of climbing taxes for the tremendous-abundant, as is Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who Musk needled on Twitter in a related exchange before in November. Musk, who has the greatest net worth in the earth nowadays, is staunchly in opposition to a so-known as “billionaire’s revenue tax.”
Final 7 days, Musk marketed about $6.9 billion worthy of of stock. (As of Monday early morning, Musk however holds much more than 166 million shares in the business.) In latest weeks, revenue from Musk and other insiders have set pressure on Tesla shares. Last week, Tesla stock declined 15.4%, marking the company’s worst a single-7 days performance in 20 months, and its worst week at any time excluding declines in the initial quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic despatched marketplaces tumbling. Tesla was down a different 3% in late working day investing on Monday.
As his offer-off carries on, Musk will facial area a most likely large tax invoice. However, as ProPublica noted, Musk previously paid a 3.27% real tax rate, or $455 million, on prosperity growth of $13.9 billion. Musk, who experienced an true taxable income of $1.52 billion during the five-calendar year time period, paid out no federal income taxes in 2018, according to ProPublica.
On Twitter, Sanders has amassed a adhering to of a lot more than 15 million, and Musk has amassed a pursuing of 63.8 million.
The spat starts
On Saturday, the 80-year-outdated Vermont senator wrote in a tweet, “We need to demand that the very rich spend their truthful share. Period.”
Musk replied the subsequent day with, “I continue to keep forgetting that you’re even now alive.” Musk also requested Sanders on Sunday, “Want me to sell far more inventory, Bernie? Just say the word.” Then, the CEO berated the senator saying, “Bernie is a taker, not a maker.”
Musk attempted to engage Sanders after all over again on Monday.
He requested, “Ok, how significantly do you imagine is fair? Does 53% appear to be fair?”
When Sanders did not reply to him, a Musk enthusiast remarked that the senator isn’t going to respond to followers on Twitter commonly. Musk questioned, “How do we know he has not been kidnapped by aliens!?” Musk continued to keep forth on Twitter, talking about his tax coverage choices with followers and followers which include promoters of bitcoin and Tesla.
In his tweet exchanges, Musk disclosed that he would guidance an estate tax, and taxes on what he referred to as extravagant use.
The CEO also said he at this time owns close to 20% of Tesla’s stock.
Sen. Sanders and Tesla did not immediately answer to requests for opinions.
In 2020, Musk put his California mansions on the marketplace while he was sparring with state wellness regulators over Covid-19 limits that impacted the Tesla factory in Fremont. He then moved to Austin, Texas, close to the website of a new Tesla manufacturing unit that is beneath construction.
This year, Tesla moved its headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas, as very well.
Relocating from California, with the highest condition revenue tax in the country, to Texas, which has no point out money tax, could save Musk billions of dollars based on his compensation package awarded in 2018.


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So, it's here, Modern Nature is released today.
We sent out the pre-orders a couple of days early and have been overwhelmed by your messages over the weekend. We've sold out of the signed vinyl but there are still some signed CDs and bundles on the store.
Come Home Baby is also released today on limited 7" vinyl available from the store.
We'll be seeing some of you during this week, here’s a quick round up of what’s going on when:
Tomorrow, Tuesday 27th, we’re playing an in-store session at Rough Trade East in London at 12:45pm. There are only a few wristbands left grab one here. Modern Nature is Album of the Day on BBC 6 Music plus Tim is on Radcliffe & Maconie’s show from 1pm don’t forget to listen online for some exclusive news. Tuesday night we play at Ace Hotel in London, Sister Ray Ace will have the last 40 wristbands for sale on the day, the shop opens at 10am. Martin and Tim will be interviewed on London Live evening news. If you’re not going to the Ace Hotel gig tune into John Kennedy’s XFM show from 10pm for a full playback of Modern Nature and a track-by-track interview with Tim and Mark.
Thursday we head to Manchester for a signing session at Piccadilly Records at 5.30pm, you can get a wristband from the store. And on Friday at 5pm we’ll be at HMV Argyle Street in Glasgow signing copies of Modern Nature, more info here. After the signing session Tim will be taking to Twitter for a Modern Nature listening party at 8pm so grab your copy, press play and join in the conversation.
Lastly, for now, on Sunday (1st Feb) we’ll be performing on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch from 9.30am, followed by a session on Pete Mitchell's Absolute Radio show at 10pm, which will also be repeated on Thursday 5th at 9pm.
If you’re coming to any of the events this week tweet us or share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #ModernNature. Don't forgot also to sign up to our mailing list to get access to exclusive ticket pre-sales, competitions and more.
Modern Nature is available on CD, vinyl, deluxe CD, deluxe gold vinyl and download. Order from:Amazon iTunes Official Store


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Opinion | Tech giants engage in futile fistfight
February 16, 2021
Amidst the sound and fury of a raging pandemic and incoming administration, tech industry juggernauts Apple and Facebook’s bitter, vulgar battle is approaching its sour finale over consumers’ data.
Whether it has been Facebook purchasing full-page ads in various newspapers, or Apple’s CEO Tim Cook repeatedly criticizing Mark Zuckerberg’s negligence for consumers’ privacy, the bar fight between techs’ behemoths is entering its apex as both prepare their landmark decisions.
As captivating as a quarrel between a two trillion dollar tech conglomerate and an approaching one trillion dollar social media organization may appear, it must also be acknowledged that this heavyweight fight is missing a central referee in this imperative ring: the government.
This brawl began when, in 2014, following the iCloud hacks of celebrities’ private photos, Cook established Apple going forward as a company driven by protecting customers’ privacy. In addition, Cook reassured consumers Apple’s main focus was on securing this privacy, not — as Cook described the likes of Google and Facebook — to profit “by collecting gobs of personal data.”
Shortly after, Zuckerberg responded — with the interviewee describing Zuckerberg as notably irritated — in lambasting Apple for the expensiveness of their products. Zuckerberg also asserted that Facebook’s “advertising business model” in no way translated to Facebook “being out of alignment” with their customers.
Assuredly these transgressions of the internet and tech industry of 2014 can be characterized as greener, fonder pastures. It was not until 2018’s Cambridge Analytica scandal which forever set the tech leviathans into their present predicaments.
In 2018, news broke of a colossal data breach in which 87 million Facebook users’ data — majority American — had been improperly obtained by the political data-analytics firm Cambridge Analytica: a consulting firm which targeted voters based on psychological analyses excavated from online profiles.
In conjunction with the breach, it was discovered that the scandal implicated online “personality quizzes” when users granted access to their profiles before further taking a psychological survey.
At the time, when Cook was questioned on how he would respond if in Facebook’s position, Cook responded he would never be in the dire situation anyway. Cook, thereafter, criticized Facebook’s further profiteering and negligence of user data adding, “The truth is, we could make a ton of money if we monetized our customer — if our customer was our product.”
Reportedly Cook’s comments inflamed Zuckerberg so much so that he immediately ordered his employees to switch from iPhones to Androids.
This dogma of the customer as a product further drifted Apple into supporting users’ privacy, culminating in their conclusive aggression against Facebook: iOS 14 and an update to the IDFA, i.e., the identifier for advertisers.
Along with the iOS 14 software update for iOS devices, Apple will now allow iOS owners to control their own IDFA.
Up to this day, the IDFA has been used for advertisers as a notification system to which advertisers can track an iPhone, iPad, etc. and “precisely target and track users within apps on iOS devices” — Google/Android’s version of this being AAID (Android Advertising ID) and GAID (Google Advertising ID).
In allowing users to turn off this function — as is the likely outcome — Apple precisely aims at shoring Facebook’s $86 billion ad revenue industry; this immense amount explaining Facebook’s desperation and desire to continue exploiting users’ personal data.
With iOS 14 being released last September, the company delayed their comprehensive change to IDFA, and rather punted the impending change to sometime early in this year.
Even if iOS users are fortunate to have a company belatedly care for their personal privacy, Apple is no hero in a fight between the lesser of two evils. No matter if Facebook were to change their business model, or Apple successfully incentives the personal data industry, the missing referee in this ring will have to be the government and compelling legislation.
Consumers need data protections under law, not provisional shelter under the conditions of a food fight between Apple and Facebook.
As the Brookings Institute underscores in their formulation for future US privacy laws, currently the tech world is only guided by European and Californian tech guidelines as the government lacks any federal law protecting privacy.
Likewise, the Council on Foreign Relations suggests a streamlined federal approach in cybersecurity that enables the law to protect not only individualistic personal data, but also national security information as hacks and breaches have been far more widespread and debilitating.
It is an insult that two colossal tech companies are publicly boxing over everyone’s personal data. Even more so, in the absence of any law it is personal data is fair game for any tech monolith craving unethical profits.
Apple and Facebook’s battle has waged long enough; the government’s responsibility as a referee safeguarding the gold of the twenty-first-century — personal data — is long overdue and needed more than ever.
As previously accomplished countless occasions before, government intervention on behalf of the consumer — not for good PR, a punch to an opposing company or malfeasance — must develop if the tech industry is to remain protected for all.
Nathaniel is a sophomore in LAS.


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Research In Motion, now officially known as BlackBerry, will reportedly not be delaying the launch of BlackBerry 10-based devices in India, and is expected to roll out its latest BlackBerry Z10 smartphone in the country in second half of this month. The new BlackBerry devices, however, are unlikely to appeal the Indian market, with analysts predicting operators will sell the device around $750 (roughly Rs. 39,756).
India along with Indonesia have emerged as the top two BlackBerry markets with the company eyeing the low-end subscribers with budget handsets and offering service packages as low as $2 a month. Reuters in its report quotes Melissa Chau, senior research manager at technology research group IDC as saying, “It's clear that not only are India and Indonesia among the largest markets but in terms of future smartphone growth, they're amongst the ones with the most potential. But the two devices that have been launched are not well aligned to the needs of these two markets."
The report citing ABI Research notes BlackBerry ranks third in the India after Samsung and Nokia in smartphone segment. However, the platform is facing stiff competition from Android-based smartphones in India as well as Indonesia.
"The Z10... is obviously a high-end product and India is not a market at that price point," says Anshul Gupta, an industry analyst at Gartner. "We don't know exactly what will be coming here, but I would expect them to launch different models in India which would give them more traction."
Analysts believe BlackBerry will need to announce cheaper BB10 devices in order to maintain its popularity in its top markets.
BlackBerry had unveiled the Z10, a full touch smartphone, last week. The device, pitted against Apple's flagship iPhone 5, features 4.2-inch 1280 x 728 pixel display, 2GB of RAM and 16GB internal storage. The company also unveiled BlackBerry Q10 with the traditional QWERTY keypad. The device features 3.1-inch 720 x 720 pixel touchscreen, a dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM. The Q10 also has an 1800mAh battery. Also read, BlackBerry Z10 Meta-Review.


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Some of the most popular brands of food and beverages in the United States have been marketing themselves as not containing “preservatives” or as using “all natural flavors”, effectively tricking consumers into believing that they are getting a healthier product. But the truth is that most of these claims are false, and consumers wind up paying more for a product that is exactly like the others they could have chosen. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this with Scott Hardy from Top Class Actions.
To learn more about the Capri Sun class action lawsuit, visit topclassactions.com
Find out more about the Ocean Spray class action at topclassactions.com
Farron Cousins: Some of the biggest food makers here in the United States understand that people want to be healthier. We’re a little more conscious about what we put in our bodies. We don’t want preservatives. We don’t want artificial flavors. We certainly, according to all the commercials today, we do not want high fructose corn syrup. So, they make it a point to tell us that they’re preservative free, artificial flavor free, high fructose corn syrup free. But are they?
According to investigations, usually not as much as they claim to be. I’ve got Scott Hardy from Top Class Actions with me now to tell us exactly what’s happening with some of these products. Scott, TopClassActions.com. You’ve had two great stories just in the last couple days here. One about Capri Sun, one about Ocean Spray. Both of these products are out there trying to say we’re better, we don’t have the preservatives, we don’t have the artificial flavorings in there. Not exactly what the investigations are finding with these products, is it?
Scott Hardy: Right, it’s interesting with the Capri Sun Class Action. They’re saying that they’re preservative free when in fact they’re using citric acid. So, it’s interesting when you look at the Capri Sun Class Action saying it’s preservative free. Citric acid is the preservative they’re using in there, but another … actually, another company was already dinged by the FDA for saying that their drink was preservative free. The FDA already said, no, citric acid is a preservative. You can’t claim that, but Capri Sun is doing exactly that.
So, to say that this Class Action has legs is an understatement. They’re going to have to change how they’re marketing these things because people are giving their kids Capri Sun drinks thinking that they’re a good drink for lunches, a good drink for after athletic activities and that kind of thing. But, they’re not knowing that citric acid is not … is actually a preservative and is not natural.
Farron Cousins: Right, and Capri Sun has been trying to say, well it’s for the flavor. We want that citric acid flavor, because yes, citric acid it’s found in a lot of citrus fruits. It’s used in the cheese making process in many instances here. But, according to the amount of citric acid in the Capri Suns, they found that there is no way this could be for flavoring. It is 100% being used as a preservative to prevent microbial life forms from forming in there. Bacteria, anything like that. This is meant to kill off the bad things, not to give the drink more flavor.
So, Capri Sun’s argument, you know, what you told us about the FDA saying no, this is a preservative, we have precedent. Then, based on the sampling amount in there, their argument falls apart immediately upon any kind of scrutiny here, doesn’t it?
Scott Hardy: Yeah. It sure does. Then, you have the other Class Action against Ocean Spray, which is saying that malic acid and fumaric acid aren’t artificial flavors, but the judge has already stated in that Class Action against Ocean Spray that while malic acid and fumaric acid might not have a specific flavor themselves if you were tasting them naturally or, by themselves. When you add them to an existing beverage, it changes the flavor of the beverage itself, and so, you can’t say that there are no artificial flavors when you’re adding something like malic acid, like fumaric acid within this Class Action, and it does change the flavor profile.
I’m actually really impressed by the judge for this law suit because you can tell this guy does his research. This woman or man does the research and, they’re going into the technical details of what these artificial flavors actually do, and how they change the flavor profile of a beverage. The science behind it is quite interesting.
Farron Cousins: You know, I know a lot of people may be looking at this and thinking, well isn’t this kind of frivolous here? I mean, okay, so these got these other little ingredients in there. Is that really cause for a Class Action lawsuit going through the courts? Well, the answer is yes, 100%.
And here’s why: studies have shown that people are willing to spend a little bit more money if they believe they’re buying a product that not only is superior but, that is all natural. So, you’re causing people to believe that they’re making a smarter choice. They’re spending more money on something that is almost the equivalent of the non, you know, the weaker food product, I guess it would be. The drink that doesn’t say no artificial flavors.
So, yes. You’re taking away the consumer’s right to make an informed decision. The only way that these companies will ever correct their behavior is to be held liable and have to return the money that they essentially, at this point, lied to consumers in order to obtain. That’s why suits like this are important isn’t it?
Scott Hardy: Yes, exactly, because these marketers, these companies are trying to upsell their beverage, they’re upselling their products, they’re saying things are all natural because they know that consumers will pay top dollar if they think they’re getting a little extra benefit. If they think what they’re ingesting is a little healthier, then they’re absolutely happy to pay an extra 50 cents or $1 per beverage to get something they believe is better for their body. When in fact, if they were informed and these companies actually labeled their products correctly, and legally as they should, consumers wouldn’t pay, or may not actually pay that extra health tax as it could be considered to buy these more expensive beverages, when they might not have any extra health benefit over the beverage that’s actually cheaper.
Farron Cousins: Absolutely. There’s more information about both of these cases in the description in the link to this video, links to the TopClassActions.com. Scott Hardy, I just want to say again, I enjoyed talking to you, and I love the work that you and the folks at Top Class Actions are doing all the time. I can’t say this enough. These are issues that every consumer needs to be aware of.
You know, we’ve got a lot of crazy news happening around the world, but at the end of the day we also have to understand that it’s not just the craziness in politics, it’s not foreign policy. We have some very real abuses happening here in the United States, and whether they’re large or small, they all come down to companies, corporations, whatever they are, trying to take advantage of consumers. At Top Class Actions, you all do a phenomenal job of telling these stories every single day.
So, thank you very much for joining us, and telling our audience these stories.
Scott Hardy: Thank you Farron. I appreciate your time.


text: Car sales in China rose for the first time in almost a year last month, evidence that the world’s largest market is rebounding from the coronavirus crisis and the trade war with the United States. Retail sales of cars, SUVs and multiple-purpose vehicles increased 1.9 per cent from a year earlier to 1.64 million units in May, the China Passenger Car Association said on Monday, which was the first gain since June 2019. The government added stimulus measures such as tax rebates to attract consumers back to showrooms, while carmakers that closed operations amid the coronavirus outbreak now offer generous discounts. The pandemic exacerbated a sales slump that is in its third year, with an economic slowdown, trade tensions and stricter emission standards weighing on demand. China economy: latest data about world’s second largest economy Global carmakers spent billions of US dollars expanding in China in recent decades, and manufacturers such as Tesla, General Motors and Volkswagen remain undeterred in their effort to tap the market’s long-term growth potential, including for electric vehicles. The German manufacturer said this month it will become the biggest shareholder of battery company Guoxuan High-Tech, and it is seeking a 50 per cent stake in a Chinese electric vehicle partner. A decline in sales of new-energy vehicles (NEVs), including electric cars, also slowed, the China Passenger Car Association said. NEV sales fell 26 per cent, following a drop of 30 per cent in April and 49 per cent in March. Tesla was the top-selling NEV brand with 11,095 vehicles, the China Passenger Car Association said. The US company started deliveries from its massive new Shanghai factory around the start of the year. Monthly registrations of new Tesla vehicles in China have fluctuated this year amid the virus, from a low of 2,314 in February to a high of 12,710 in March, according to data from state-backed China Automotive Information Net. After growing rapidly for several years, electric car sales have lost momentum since the government moved to limit subsidies in mid-2019. The pandemic also hurt demand, and slumping oil prices have made cars that consume large amounts of fuel more competitive. The government still considers electric cars a priority, and has added a slew of fresh stimulus measures to help the industry recover. Full-year car sales in China may fall about 10 per cent following big declines at the height of the coronavirus crisis earlier this year, China Passenger Car Association secretary general Cui Dongshu said. His view is more optimistic than that of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, another industry group, which has forecast a decline of 15 per cent to 25 per cent.


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Lots of tech and big-name sites are doing "yippees" at the prospect of a load of big-name PS games appearing on other formats through Sony's acquired Gaikai service. With the company hiring for Android and iPhone developers, that's pretty much a guarantee that the service will soon be on all mobiles and tablets.
While it opens up huge subscription revenue opportunities for Sony, it means that if Vita doesn't show signs of life in the next year, it can be quietly retired and all dedicated handheld gaming will be in Nintendo's court. All Sony has to do is claim lack of support (which is true) and Vita will quietly retreat to the back of the company's gaming drawer.
The likes of LBP, Uncharted, Killzone and others are splashed across the Gaikai site, suggesting Sony would go full bore with the service, and why not with hundreds of millions of Android and iPhone users out there? Going where the money is makes pure sense.
Hopefully, the Vita will perk up over Christmas and into 2013, but the release list isn't exactly looking healthy despite Yoshida's promise of more unannounced games to come. Ironically, today, Sony is celebrating 5 million PS3 sales in the UK. With the best will in the world, the Vita will probably struggle to reach one million and has only just crept over that mark in Japan.
With gamers holding out for one game to boost the Vita. If Capcom won't play ball, then why would Sony bother to drag out its lifespan beyond next Christmas? Sony will deny any end-of-life until the Vita's dying day, but the gloom is very much in the air.


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Answering Whether Card Portfolio Is Viable-And How To Get There
Is your credit card portfolio viable?
That question, said one expert, is the only question worth discussing. The answer, he said, lies in the effort the credit union is willing to make to making that portfolio work.
"One of the things every credit union has to decide is your level of commitment," said Glen Lee of TNB Card Services. "You must become more and more committed if you are to be successful. It's more than just products and services. It requires the time on the credit union's part to make this successful."
In remarks before the Texas Credit Union League's annual meeting here, Lee said there's no dispute over the soaring popularity of plastic payments. In-store usage of plastic cards by itself is up 430% since 1995, and Americans' carry more than one-billion pieces of plastic (both debit and credit).
For credit unions, the dispute lies in can the card portfolio be viable and profitable. More than 80 credit unions sold their portfolios during 2003 to various buyers, including credit union-owned TNB Card Services.
"The real question is why are credit cards important to you?," he asked rhetorically, before answering, "Because they're consumer products and the consumer says 'I want this product.' Credit cards are a key consumer loan product today."
But many credit unions apparently aren't holding the key. According to Lee, during 2003 total loans at credit unions increased $11 billion (2.3%), but credit card outstandings decreased $1 billion (5%). He added that 63% of credit union portfolios shrank through the third quarter of 2003, and noted that of the 80 portfolios that were sold in 2003, 90% shrank.
"From that you can ascertain that if your portfolio is not growing, someday you may decide to sell yours," he offered. "This is an extremely competitive market. It's saturated. There are 5.25 credit cards per households."
In credit card loans, banks hold $559 billion in outstandings (96% of market), while credit unions hold $22 billion (4%).
The top 10 issuers have reached the point where they now dominate the market, thanks in large part to acquisitions of other portfolios and large acquisition campaigns among consumers, Lee observed.
He noted the big issuers do broad-based cardholder profiling, have expansive affinity/lifestyle programs, and aggressively price their products. Moreover, they have a greater risk tolerance than most credit unions, he said.
Those top 10 issuers have seen credit card profits soar, with Citibank seeing an increase of 22% during 2003, and MBNA seeing a 30% boost.
"Competition and market maturity will increasingly impact growth and profits," said Lee, noting that response rates to direct mail has dropped by half over the past four years to 0.6%. He added that TNB has seen significantly better response rates among credit union card pitches.
Where The Credit Union Advantage Lies
If all that sounds like reason enough to sell the card portfolio, Lee said there are reasons not to, and that credit unions do have some competitive strengths to leverage.
For instance, according to Lee, research done by the Raddon Group shows that while just 18% of consumers say they would consider a lower-rate mortgage, 40% of consumers say they would consider a low-rate credit card-an area where credit unions have an advantage.
During 2003, 56% of consumers applied for and received an average of 1.5 cards, he said, and of those 85% are active users. Sixty-six percent of consumers who did change cards cited price and/or fiscal responsibility as the reason, he pointed out.
"But there's been a shift in attitude," said Lee. "Thirty-six percent of consumers prefer the standard card, down from 57% in 1999. Thirty-three percent prefer a co-branded card, up from 25% in 1999. And 25% prefer loyalty cards, up from 10% in 1999. That means that 58% now say there is a reason other than price for accepting a card, and those are reasons you can use."
Credit Unions Have Credit Cards? Who Knew!
One alarming statistic to which Lee pointed is research showing that 24% of current members at card-issuing credit unions do not know cards are available.
"The primary method to drive new credit cards is not direct mail," said Lee, whose company does offer such solicitation programs. Rather, he said the most effective means is in-branch cross-sales. "That constant drumbeat of in-branch activity is where the real growth is going to come from."
So what is a credit union to do if it wants to compete? Stress the fundamentals, emphasized Lee: Pricing, product and promotion.
"For about five years at TNB we have made a central strategy, 'How do we help you to grow your program?' For five years we have watched the month-over-month run-off of accounts occur at approximately the same rate as new accounts were coming in. Where are these accounts running off to? In any portfolio, if there's not any activity to bring on quality, new cardholders there is a deterioration of the portfolio. People who are leaving are your best members, and they are leaving to get something they're not getting now. The people who aren't getting solicitations and who don't have a better product to go to are the ones who are staying."
Lee said that most credit unions have not altered their pricing philosophy: they either believe that one size fits all ("We don't see that as much as we used to") or the credit union prices by product.
"What we recommend instead is that you price from a risk-based standpoint. You can have consistent pricing across all products by pricing according to risk. You could have someone in your platinum card who is paying more than someone in your standard card. This allows you to offer credit to people whom you can't afford to otherwise offer credit."
Lee also advocated reward/penalty pricing to influence cardholder behavior and to react to changes in cardholder risk. As an example, he presented an eight-tier table of "risk pools" according to FICO score (see chart).
Lee pointed to one credit union's 9,000 account portfolio in which TNB recommended those eight levels of pricing, ranging from 7.5% APR to 18%. When the CU repriced its accounts, 37.5% of the accounts received a better APR on purchases; 53.1% of the accounts received a higher purchase APR that he said enabled the higher yields that portfolios strive to achieve.
The Value Of Increasing Credit Lines
Another area where credit unions can make changes and boost portfolio viability is in credit lines, according to Lee.
He said that credit union cards have credit lines that are $2,500 below industry averages, even though card charge-offs are 35% of the industry average. "This is a key, key area to make your current portfolio perform better," he emphasized.
Using the same credit union portfolio used in the example above, Lee said that when members were placed into "risk pools" according to FICO scores, 42% of cardholding members were found eligible for a credit line increase.
Total lines increased by 9.26%, he said, even though risk did not increase, as members in the four lowest categories were not given increases.
Lee said that 95% of card applications are for Platinum cards, and that 85% of accounts issued are Platinum. Platinum cards have nearly triple the average balance of the Classic card. "By doing a combination of three things, managing from a risk-based standpoint, managing from risk-based credit lines, and offering a better product, we were able to significantly change the way members look at their credit card," he said.
Lee said the difference between portfolios that are promoted and those that are not is "dramatic." Those credit unions that did promote their cards grew their portfolios by 6% in 2003, while those that did not shrunk by 4%."
"Portfolio marketing drives all vital statistics: new account acquisition, activation and usage, balance growth, and risk review and management," said Lee.
A key to marketing, he said, is that Reward Cards drive loyalty and usage. He noted that six in 10 cardholders have chosen a Rewards Card as their preferred card; that one out-of-three say usage is driven by rewards, and that 90% would not reduce usage of that card.
But he cautioned that an effective rewards program must have manageable costs for redemption and administration.
"Today I don't think your rewards program should be limited to the credit card program," suggested Lee.
As for credit unions unsure if they can make their portfolios viable, he observed, "Through focused efforts directed at the fundamentals of portfolio management-pricing, product and promotion-profitability improvements can be achieved."