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|By Marketwired .||
|November 12, 2012 09:00 AM EST||
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- (Marketwire) -- 11/12/12 -- SC12 -- NVIDIA today unveiled the NVIDIA® Tesla® K20 family of GPU accelerators, the highest performance, most efficient accelerators ever built, and the technology powering Titan, the world's fastest supercomputer according to the TOP500 list released this morning at the SC12 supercomputing conference.
Armed with 18,688 NVIDIA Tesla K20X GPU accelerators, the Titan supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. seized the No. 1 supercomputer ranking in the world from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Sequoia system with a performance record of 17.59 petaflops as measured by the LINPACK benchmark.(1)
Tesla K20 - Performance, Energy-Efficiency Leadership
Based on the revolutionary NVIDIA Kepler compute architecture, the new Tesla K20 family features the Tesla K20X accelerator, the flagship of NVIDIA's Tesla accelerated computing product line.
Providing the highest computing performance ever available in a single processor, the K20X provides tenfold application acceleration when paired with leading CPUs.(2) It surpasses all other processors on two common measures of computational performance -- 3.95 teraflops single-precision and 1.31 teraflops double-precision peak floating point performance.
The new family also includes the Tesla K20 accelerator, which provides 3.52 teraflops of single-precision and 1.17 teraflops of double-precision peak performance. Tesla K20X and K20 GPU accelerators representing more than 30 petaflops of performance have already been delivered in the last 30 days. This is equivalent to the computational performance of last year's 10 fastest supercomputers combined.
"We are taking advantage of NVIDIA GPU architectures to significantly accelerate simulations in such diverse areas as climate and meteorology, seismology, astrophysics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and molecular biophysics," said Dr. Thomas Schulthess, professor of computational physics at ETH Zurich and director of the Swiss National Supercomputing Center. "The K20 family of accelerators represents a leap forward in computing compared to NVIDIA's prior Fermi architecture, enhancing productivity and enabling us potentially to achieve new insights that previously were impossible."
Additional early customers include: Clemson University, Indiana University, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), University of Southern California (USC), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).
Energy-Efficiency for "Greener" Data Centers
The Tesla K20X GPU accelerator delivers three times higher energy efficiency than previous-generation GPU accelerators and widens the efficiency advantage compared to CPUs.
Using Tesla K20X accelerators, Oak Ridge's Titan achieved 2,142.77 megaflops of performance per watt, which surpasses the energy efficiency of the No. 1 system on the most recent Green500 list of the world's most energy-efficient supercomputers.(3)
Fastest on Broadest Range of Data Center Applications
The Tesla K20 family accelerates the broadest range of scientific, engineering and commercial high performance computing and data center applications. Today, more than 200 software applications take advantage of GPU-acceleration, representing a 60 percent increase in less than a year.
When Tesla K20X GPU accelerators are added to servers with Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs, many applications are accelerated up to 10x or more, including:(4)
- MATLAB (engineering) - 18.1 times faster
- Chroma (physics) - 17.9 times faster
- SPECFEM3D (earth science) - 10.5 times faster
- AMBER (molecular dynamics) - 8.2 times faster
More information about the Tesla K20 GPU accelerators is available at NVIDIA booth 2217 at SC12, Nov. 12-15, and on the NVIDIA high performance computing website. Users can also try the Tesla K20 accelerator for free on remotely hosted clusters. Visit the GPU Test Drive website for more information.
The NVIDIA Tesla K20 family of GPU accelerators is shipping today and available for order from leading server manufacturers, including Appro, ASUS, Cray, Eurotech, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Quanta Computer, SGI, Supermicro, T-Platforms and Tyan, as well as from NVIDIA reseller partners.
About NVIDIA Tesla GPUs
NVIDIA Tesla GPUs are massively parallel accelerators based on the NVIDIA CUDA parallel computing platform and programming model. Tesla GPUs are designed from the ground up for power-efficient, high performance computing, computational science and supercomputing, delivering dramatically higher application acceleration for a range of scientific and commercial applications than a CPU-only approach.
To learn more about CUDA or download the latest version, visit the CUDA website. More NVIDIA news, company and product information, videos, images and other information is available at the NVIDIA newsroom. Follow us on Twitter at @NVIDIATesla.
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smartphones to supercomputers. NVIDIA's mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create 3D graphics and visual effects in movies and to design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science with high performance computing. The company has more than 5,000 patents issued, allowed or filed, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.
(1) Compared to Sequoia system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore at 16.3 petaflops of performance; Source: Top500.org - www.top500.org/lists/2012/06.
(2) CPU results: Dual socket E5-2687w, 3.10 GHz, GPU results: Dual socket E5-2687w + 2 Tesla K20X GPUs.
(3) Source: Green500.org: www.green500.org/lists/green201206.
(4) System configuration - CPU results: Dual socket E5-2687w, 3.10 GHz CPUs; GPU results: Dual socket E5-2687w CPUs + 2 Tesla K20X GPUs (MATLAB results running FFT compare one i7-2600K CPU 3.4 GHz vs. Tesla K20 GPU).
Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the impact, performance and benefits of NVIDIA Tesla GPUs and the effects of the company's patents on modern computing are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; our reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test our products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to our existing product and technologies; market acceptance of our products or our partners products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems; as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended July 29, 2012. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company's website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
© 2012 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, CUDA and Tesla are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.
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NVIDIA Public Relations
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The forward-thinking and technology-driven Netherlands nurtures a long tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship. International talent, top-notch educational institutions and impeccable work-life balance have placed the Netherlands high on the list of startup havens. According to public sources, Dutch startups raised more than €500 million in 2018, demonstrating the enormous potential of the ecosystem. The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, is Europe’s 4th biggest startup hub.
In the beginning of this year we took a closer look at the Dutch startup ecosystem, in order to introduce you to some exceptionally promising companies. Below you’ll find 10 Dutch startups, all of them not older than 2-3 years, that will be making headlines in 2019:
Amber Mobility – This Eindhoven-based electric car and bicycle-sharing startup is convincing the Dutch that sharing is the new owning. As reliability and convenience are becoming a priority in the transportation sector, Amber is currently providing a fleet of 140 fully electric BMWi3 vehicles, so far servicing 2,200 active users in nine cities in the Netherlands. Currently, they are piloting a business car sharing service in Eindhoven.
Convious – The global heavyweight winner of Get in the Ring Startup Competition 2017/18 uses AI to deliver personalised price offers for online visitors, by measuring, predicting, improving, machine learning, designing and iterating every part of their journey. With Convious’ ‘willingness to pay’ algorithms, it is easy to recognise customers’ buying intents and win their interest back.
Digital Insurance Group – Claiming to be the next generation technology partner for insurers, banks and brokers, this insurtech company is providing fully customised mobile-first insurance experiences at record speed for its customers via its data-driven insurance platform. It was founded in 2017 as a combination of the world’s first digital insurance broker Knip and the leading Dutch insurtech startup Kompar.
Felyx – This startup is another riding the e-scooter wave in disrupting urban mobility – however unlike the other e-scooters we’ve seen cluttering our city sidewalks, these resemble motorcycles and are meant to be ridden on the road. Locals in Amsterdam and Rotterdam can easily locate, reserve and activate e-scooters through the Felyx app. Founded in 2016, Felyx has already raised €4.1 million in funding, has over 50,000 registered users and is planning an expansion to the Hague. The new green shared way of transport is sure here to stay.
Hiber – Less than 10% of the globe is covered by IoT-ready connectivity, and Hiber is trying to change that via their nanosatellite-powered solution. Since 2018 two HiberBand nano-satellites have been flying over the earth’s poles 16 times per day and the equator twice a day, bringing IoT connectivity to the vast majority of the world. The winner of the Accenture Innovation Award for 2017, Hiber will certainly bring endless opportunities to both people and planet.
Light year – A group of Solar Team Eindhoven alumni is in the process of developing the first consumer electric car with integrated solar cells capable of driving 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres per year on solar energy. Lightyear One is expected to be driven on Dutch roads in 2020. Until then, they are collecting funds ($6 million Series A), partnering (automotive engineering company EDAG) and picking up awards (Climate Change Innovator Award at CES).
ScanMovers – Aimed to provide the best moving experience possible, ScanMovers provides an online platform where customers can receive quotes by moving companies, compare them and select the most appropriate one for them. In 2018 they partnered with insurance broker Meijers and launched a brand new moving insurance for both private and company moves, and in December they raised a €750k seed round.
Shypple – As a digital forwarder, Shypple’s mission is to make global trade virtually frictionless. Known as the “Booking.com for sea freight” Shypple provides its customers with an easy-to-use dashboard to book freight shipping directly, quickly compare sailing times and price quotes, and track shipments in real time. Royal Textile, Flow products and TWF Europe have already reduced hassle, communication effort and costs thanks to them. Who is next?
Wonderkind – Second year in a row, the Amsterdam-based startup finds its place on own list. As one of the fastest-growing HR-tech companies in the country, Wonderkind matches passive talent and employers combining artificial intelligence and hyper-targeting via apps, websites, social media and email, helping corporates and staffing agencies to reach quality talent that otherwise would have been missed.
Factris – Founded with the goal to help European SMEs, Factris is handling their invoices, so they can concentrate on the real work. Factris is an online invoice factoring platform providing working capital to businesses by buying their unpaid invoices, in exchange for 0.5% fee per invoice. Backed by Speedinvest, Factris is turning invoices in cash in 24 hours, leaving behind happy customers.
By the way: If you’re a corporate or investor looking for exciting startups in a specific market for a potential investment or acquisition, check out our Startup Sourcing Service!

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LowCards.com Weekly Credit Card Update–May 15, 2015
Hackers Target Starbucks Mobile Users, Steal From Linked Credit Cards Without Knowing Account Number
Credit card hackers are targeting Starbucks gift card and mobile payment users around the country–and stealing from consumers’ credit cards–with a new scam so ingenious they don’t even need to know the account number of the card they are hacking. Criminals are using Starbucks accounts to access consumers’ linked credit cards. Taking advantage of the Starbucks auto-reload function, they can steal hundreds of dollars in a matter of minutes. Because the crime is so simple, can escalate quickly, and the consumer protections controlling the transaction are unclear, I recommend all Starbucks consumers immediately disable auto-reload on the Starbucks mobile payments and gift cards. Story by Bob Sullivan for BobSullivan.net.
Credit Card Firms Reap Rewards of Consumer Brand Loyalty
Stuck with slow growth prospects in a saturated market, banks that issue credit cards are increasingly churning out cards that are aimed at creditworthy customers loyal to a store, airline or hotel. Known as co-branded credit cards, these cards fell out of favor after the financial crisis, as issuers pulled back credit generally in the recession. Now, issuers are battling for these blocks of customers, which are prized for their loyalty even though they aren’t always as lucrative for the banks. Merchants, meanwhile, are capitalizing on the competition for their customers by extracting better terms, often including a percentage of the profits. Banks are eager to expand their credit card loan portfolios, which remain one of their most profitable businesses as other profit centers have been dented by low interest rates, uneven loan demand and rising compliance costs, industry executives say. Story by Robin Sidel for The Wall Street Journal.
Sally Beauty Confirms Data Breach
Sally Beauty confirmed Thursday that there was an “illegal intrusion” into its payment card systems, marking the company’s second data breach in just over a year. The Denton, Texas-based hair and beauty products retailer said there was “sufficient evidence” to confirm the breach, but that it would not “speculate on the scope.” Sally Beauty says data breach affected fewer than 25,000 credit cards. The company said earlier this month that it was investigating reports of unusual activity involving payment cards used at its stores. Sally Beauty said it was working with law enforcement, its credit card processor and a third-party forensics expert. In a statement Thursday, the company said the forensic investigation is still ongoing. The company said customers would not be responsible for any fraudulent charges that are promptly reported. Story by Samantha Masunaga for the Los Angeles Times.
Credit Cards With 2% Rebates, While (or if) They Last
For years, the holy grail for many seekers of credit card rewards has been a guaranteed 2 percent back on every dollar they spend. The problem for start-ups and for financial services companies both large and small is that it’s difficult to make the product profitable. The fees that merchants pay to accept cards won’t cover all of those rewards. And it’s intensely annoying for consumers who have moved all their spending to find out a year later that their issuer is cutting the reward because it couldn’t make the numbers work. Still, a handful of grown-up operators like Fidelity (through a partner), Barclays, Capital One and Citigroup now have cards that offer this level of generosity. Are they the ones that have finally figured out how to make money on these cards–and make them last? Story by Ron Lieber for The New York Times.
Data Breaches Will Cost Over $2 Trillion by 2019
A new report predicts that data breaches will cost the global economy $2.1 trillion by 2019, almost four times more than this year. The research indicates that sophisticated hacking tools will play a major role in this growth. The report, entitled The Future of Cybercrime & Security, estimates a decline in the number of casual hacks experienced globally. The firm believes that upcoming malware creation and the “increasing professionalism of cybercrime” will result in more successful attacks, even if limited in number. Currently, the average cost of data breach is estimated to be $3.5 million per company. Juniper predicts that average to exceed $150 million per breach by 2020, which is just shy of the $162 million Target data breach in 2013. Story by Bill Hardekopf for LowCards.com.
Overdraft Fees Continue to Weigh on Bank Customers
Some checking account practices have become more consumer-friendly, but significant issues persist with banks’ overdraft policies, according to a report released Tuesday. More banks are providing concise disclosures about their checking account fees and terms, according to Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit public-policy organization. But many consumers don’t fully understand the rules, and banks have policies that can increase the overdraft fees people incur when they make automated-teller-machine withdrawals or debit card purchases that exceed their account balance, the report says. Story by AnnaMaria Andriotis for The Wall Street Journal.
Chase Is Phasing Out Debit Cards That Use Magnetic Strip
Chase on Wednesday said it would begin replacing customers’ debit cards with those equipped with microchip technology. The chip-embedded cards will eventually phase out cards with a magnetic strip on the back. Cards with chips, touted as being more secure, are already widely accepted in other parts of the world. For the time being, new Chase cards will be issued with both a chip and a magnetic strip as merchants adapt to the new technology. Some credit cards have already been reissued with the upgrade, and customers can request a new card if they want to have it sooner. Chip cards create a unique code for each transaction, making customers’ personal information harder to steal. The card is inserted into a slot, rather than swiped, and the transaction is authenticated with a four-digit PIN or the customer’s signature. Story by Jenny Che for The Huffington Post.
UK Card Transactions Top 1 Billion per Month as Debit Card Use Soars
UK consumers are spending more on their payment cards than ever before, with over a billion transactions in February, according to newly-released figures provided by the UK Cards Association. Consumers spent £49.6 billion via card in February, with debit cards continuing to outstrip credit cards. Debit card spending reached £35.2 billion, up 7.7% on the previous year. At the same time credit card spending also grew, but at the lower rate of 5.6% to £14.4 billion. Card spending online, published for the first time last month, accounted for 24.4% of total card expenditure and 11.3% of transactions. The average transaction online was for £103.62, more than double the average for all settings of £46.92. Story by Elliott Holley for Banking Technology.
LowCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report
Based on the 1,000+ cards in the LowCards.com Complete Credit Card Index, the average advertised APR for credit cards is 14.50 percent, slightly higher than last week’s average of 14.48 percent. Six months ago, the average was 14.50 percent. One year ago, the average was 14.49 percent.


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“5G to make the economy competitive, but risky”
Enacy Mapakame –business journalist
As Zimbabwe’s mobile network operators roll out 5G, which will make the economy more competitive, all stakeholders need to ensure their digital infrastructure is also secure amid growing cybersecurity threats in the country. , said the Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Postal and Courier Services. , said Dr. Jenfan Muswere.
Zimbabwe is one of the first African countries to launch 5G (fifth generation) mobile phone technology alongside South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Botswana.
The 5G network has the potential to support millions of devices at ultra-fast speeds and transform global economies by improving accessibility and extending the reach of mobile broadband, while supporting critical sectors such as healthcare. , financial services, education services as well as manufacturing.
Dr Muswere said the country plans to tap into the $2.2 trillion in global technology revenue by 2034, with 5G becoming the engine of growth for Zimbabwe’s economy. It will encourage the deployment of state-of-the-art infrastructure and will have a positive impact on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, it has also resulted in an increase in cases of fraud as businesses, government departments, industry, health services and financial services become more connected online, which Dr Muswere says has called upon to protect against cyber threats.
“As we expand 5G adoption, we need to be aware of the potential for new cyber risks. 5G systems are fundamentally different from previous generations, which were primarily hardware-based. 5G is more technology-based. software, which opens up new potential vulnerabilities.
“The digital infrastructure must be secure. Consumers and businesses need to be confident that our 5G networks are resilient.
“With this in mind, telecom operators must commit to adopting a ‘zero trust’ posture. This means that telecom operators must first verify all activities before trusting them. There must also be constant monitoring and vigilance for suspicious activity,” he said at the ninth edition of the Global Renaissance Investments (GRI) Zimbabwe ICT Conference and Awards held recently in the capital city.
According to technology group Liquid Intelligent, citing a global cybersecurity report for 2021, the prevalence of cybersecurity risks in Zimbabwe is on the rise, with 82% of businesses saying they have experienced them as cybercriminals take advantage of increasing digitalization to attack digital infrastructure.
The document would also show the state of threats in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe, where the most commonly cited cybersecurity dangers were malware, web application attacks, phishing and identity theft. via email, identity theft, data breaches and denial of service.
In the wake of the threats, 93% of information technology (IT) decision makers in Zimbabwe said their companies had focused more on cybersecurity.
According to the report, 71% of businesses cited phishing and spam as the biggest security threats.
Dr Muswere added that as the country experienced increasing digitalization, spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was imperative to establish close collaboration between universities, private and public sectors to build a safe and secure digital economy. sustainable.
“The success and sustainability of our digitization efforts critically depend on close collaboration between industry, community partners and government.
“These partnerships are critical to ensuring a secure and resilient 5G infrastructure and compelling use cases that will position us well to realize the full potential of the global 5G opportunity.
“It also calls for cross-border partnerships to build interoperable systems to ensure a prosperous, secure and inclusive digital future for all,” he said.
There are also fears that the deployment of advanced networks in African countries will widen the continent’s digital divide with only half of the people on the continent who have access to mobile phones still on 2G technology.
An estimated 9% of connections in Africa were 4G in 2019, almost a decade after its launch in other countries. However, the Global Mobile Industry Association (GSMA) says there is an opportunity for Africa, with 4G figures expected to increase to 27% by 2025, while 3% of connected phones will run on 5G.


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Mazda to Recall 400,000 Vehicles Globally for Possible Wiper Defect
Mazda to recall 103,300 Mazda3 and MAZDASPEED3 vehicles in the US.
In documents posted Monday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site, Mazda said it's recalling 103,300 vehicles in the United States manufactured between Jan. 7, 2008, and Nov. 28, 2008.
The ground terminal of the wiper motor may have been accidentally bent as the cars were assembled, Mazda said in the documents. The flaw may cause the wipers to stop working, which could prove dangerous in inclement weather.
The Japanese automaker first received complaints about the malfunction in late 2009, according to documents submitted to NHTSA. Mazda determined that no recall was necessary at that time but continued to monitor the situation, the documents show.
In March 2010, Mazda reopened its investigation after more incidents were reported. This month the automaker decided a recall was necessary "to remedy the concern because of an increase in the frequency of the occurrences."
Through the end of May, Mazda received 132 reports of the issue, spokesman Jeremy Barnes said. There have been 20 reports of windshield wiper failure in North America, 30 reports in China, 29 in Japan, six in Europe and 47 in Mazda's other markets, Barnes said.
The windshield wiper defect hasn't caused any injuries or accidents, Barnes said. He declined to comment on the cost of the recall.
Dealers will be notified of the recall during the week of July 4, Mazda said in the documents. A letter will be sent to all impacted owners on July 15. The automaker also said it would reimburse consumers who had already fixed their wipers.
Must-See on MSN
True enough, however, it took an act of Congress, literally, and a federal court ruling to force Toyota to recall the effected vehicles. They did not recall them voluntarily. And they engaged in deception to hide the problems. That's is the worst part of the whole thing. They lied, and hid the problems, often blaming the owner's driving habits for the problems. Or they patched it along until the warranty expired, THEN, after the warranty no longer was in force, as in my case, they miraculously found the problem.
By the way, there's a huge difference in defects like a faulty wiper motor and those that caused serious accidents, injuries and deaths, as with Toyota's defects.
Yes, any vehicle from any country can have problems that need to be recalled. The problem with Toyota (and Honda) is that they do not want to take the blame. At first, all they do is say that Americans do not know how to drive. It is only when the problems affect their vehicles in Japan too that they reluctantly issue a recall. I do not buy into the "they are made in America" garbage either. Not all of their vehicles are made in the USA. Many of the later recalled vehicles from Toyota are only built in Japan.
Why is Honda and the Toyota brand still the number one auto makers out there.
@D-man357, I'm not sure how you are defining "number one auto makers"....not to mention how can they both be number one? Is it a tie?
If you are talking about sales volume, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but neither Toyota or Honda are #1. In May, Chrysler, Ford and GM all outsold Toyota and Honda. In fact, neither Toyota or Honda had a vehicle that made it into the Top 10 of best selling vehicles last month. 8 out of the 10 were made by Chrysler, Ford and GM and the remaining two were made by Hyundai and Nissan. Considering Chrysler, Ford and GM have all shed models and even whole divisions like Mercury and Saturn over the last two years, they STILL sold more vehicles individually than Toyota or Honda.
Actually, I have to make one correction, I DON'T hate to be the bearer of bad news when it come to Toyota since they screwed me over royally on my lemon of a Lexus. If that's Toyota's best, no wonder they're losing customers.
It does say a lot, about the people who still trust this brand, especially since the recall notices are still going out. We got a new recall notice on our RAV4 for it's anti-lock brake system. Called the dealer and set up the appointment, also told them to send out a wrecker, since the transmission is junk and they refused to fix it. Was told, I would have to get the car to their shop and it must be drivable to do the repairs. I guess I'll have to skip this repair since I can't put a new $3600 transmission in the car at the moment.
Yeah, keep buying these recalls on wheels. Reward Toyota for building in defects and then hiding it as long as possible. It took an act of Congress and a federal court to force them to recall them. Yeah, I'll run right out and buy a new one,,,,,,, When monkey's fly and the Witch of the West tells me it's all good now. NEVER again. New recall notice, "One more reason to NOT buy Toyota".
Nicodemus46 - Ford Motor Company owns a large portion of Mazda Motor Co about 48%, if memory serves. They supply engines and transmission for some Ford Models. This partnership arrangement, is all that prevents Ford from acquiring a majority share and taking the Company over completely, as Ford has with other brands or buying them outright. Ford, as it happens has domestic suppliers fro electrical parts, such as wiper motors.
It takes a 5 second Google search to find out that as of Nov 2010 Ford owns 3.5% of Mazda - that's 3 and one half percent, not forty-eight. Your memory is serving you poorly. Maybe you should admit that and Google your facts prior to posting them. That also pretty well blows out your statement about the partnership being the only thing preventing Ford from buying them outright.
The truth is, Ford has sold off nearly every bit of every stake they had in every other car company in which they had ever invested (Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and others that I don't remember). That and mortgaging off all their property is all that kept them from bankruptcy along with GM & Chrysler.
Ford Motor Company owns a large portion of Mazda Motor Co about 48%, if memory serves. They supply engines and transmission for some Ford Models. This partnership arrangement, is all that prevents Ford from acquiring a majority share and taking the Company over completely, as Ford has with other brands or buying them outright. Ford, as it happens has domestic suppliers fro electrical parts, such as wiper motors.


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The 2017 San Diego Comic-Con is happening right now, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi has a small presence there…
With the D23 Disney Expo just a week behind us, and with the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con happening this weekend, one might reasonably expect there to be some news for Star Wars: The Last Jedi at least one of the events.
However, with only a behind the scenes video released at D23, Star Wars fans are hoping for something new, in the way of information about the sequel to The Force Awakens at SDCC. Well, that is, in fact, what has happened, as the Lucasfilm The Last Jedi booth at Comic-Con does gives us a look at a new character.
Meet C’ai Threnalli, an Abednedo Resistance pilot. Here’s the info on this character from StarWars.com:
More from Dork Side of the Force
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- The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal becomes No. 1 on IMDb’s Starmeter for 2023
- Unwrapping the Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar: Day 7
"A skillful fighter pilot of Abednedo descent, C’ai Threnalli flies as Poe Dameron’s wingman following the evacuation of D’Qar."
You may remember another Abednedo pilot named Ello Asty who was killed in the fight for Starkiller Base, in The Force Awakens. Nien Nunb (Return of the Jedi), Poe Dameron and BB-8 are also represented in this showcase. It will be great to see a legacy character like Nien Nunb back in the franchise.
This The Last Jedi display is located in the Star Wars pavilion, at booth 2913. According to StarWars.com if you can make it over to the booth, you might just see a few surprises.
We want to hear from you: What do you think of C’ai Threnalli? Let’s discuss in the comments below. Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15.


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Now the foundation is close to wrapping up its PEF Week, where local businesses share some of their sales proceeds, and also set out “Tips for Teachers” collection jars.
The foundation has graciously welcomed me to join in the week, and at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday (Sept. 17) I’ll be greeting patrons and signing copies of my fantasy novel “Horse Stalker” at the Petaluma Copperfield’s Books, 140 Kentucky St. I’m donating $1 to the foundation for every copy of the book sold there in September and October.
Future book signings at Copperfield’s stores will be Oct. 1 in Sebastopol and Oct. 15 in Healdsburg. And books remain on sale at the Santa Rosa Copperfield’s, the site of last week’s book signing. Sales from all four stores are benefiting Sonoma County school groups, with a donation of $1 for every book sold.
I look forward to meeting some of you Saturday.


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It’s not exactly the height of fashion to be parodying a hamburger commercial from 1984, but this new anti-immigration spot proves that Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” line still has legs. The parody is by a conservative group called Grassfire, which opposes the immigration reform efforts in the Senate, and is calling attention here to the 700-mile border fence which was approved by Congress last year but has yet to be built. The screechy old lady, who has nothing on Clara Peller, repeatedly asks, “Where’s the fence?” The ad won’t win any points for subtlety, particularly when the old white ladies start pointing and shouting at the Mexicans crossing the road. See the original “Where’s the beef?” spot here.
—Posted by Tim Nudd


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At least five new movies from Sony Pictures are being devoured on copyright-infringing file-sharing hubs online in the wake of the hack attack that hobbled the studio earlier in the week.
Copies of DVD screeners of four unreleased Sony movies including the upcoming “Annie” are getting some unwelcome early exposure, but nothing compared to the frenzy enveloping “Fury,” the war pic still in theaters since bowing last month.
“Fury” has been downloaded by over 888,000 unique IP addresses since showing up on peer-to-peer networks on Nov. 27, according to piracy tracking firm Excipio. That’s high enough to be the second most downloaded movie currently being pirated, and it’s not out of movie theaters yet.
Another big Sony movie, “Annie,” is also being pirated, this one three weeks ahead of its own wide release. Other Sony movies being downloaded include “Mr. Turner,” “Still Alice” and “To Write Love on Her Arms.”
“The theft of Sony Pictures Entertainment content is a criminal matter, and we are working closely with law enforcement to address it,” a Sony spokeswoman said in a statement to Variety.
A source with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the hacking earlier this week divulged that the multi-title leak is likely related to the hacking. Many of the leaked copies are watermarked.
Sony’s outbreak marks the biggest piracy incident since July, when Lionsgate saw “Expendables 3″ pop up online three weeks before its theatrical release. Police arrested two men in London earlier this week in connection with the movie.
Full article: Sony’s New Movies Leak Online Following Hack Attack (Variety)


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People looking to buy a home in Guildford could find a better value alternative just
MY Furniture pride themselves on offering original products of exceptional quality, at remarkable prices. With generous, deep
Take a look at these lovely homes in glorious Devon.
Help to Buy isn’t only for first time buyers. Second steppers can benefit too.
A brand new pocket of exclusive homes has been revealed at CALA Homes’ Milltimber Manor
Buying a first time buyer (FTB) home with an extra bedroom could add almost £19,000
An experienced technical director has joined a national housebuilder, which has launched a new housing
A regional property expert has outlined why single storey living is growing in popularity across
Buyers searching for their dream home should look no further for inspiration than Miller Homes’


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► GT X Experimental concept
► All-new Vauxhall show car
► All-electric coupe SUV
This is the new face of Vauxhall and Opel cars. The new GT X Experimental concept has been revealed to mark the first full year of ownership of GM’s European wing under French control.
This new GT X Experimental concept is an all-electric coupe-SUV concept car that Vauxhall says has design cues that will ‘cascade across future models’ and ‘is the first physical representation of how Vauxhall’s production-vehicle design will evolve in coming years’, with the new Corsa bound in 2019 expected to be the first.
Vauxhall’s new concept has a compact footprint of 4060/1830/1528mm (length/width/height) making it shorter, slimmer and lower than the dinky Crossland X and almost as stubby length-wise as a current-generation Corsa. The brand also says that, through clever design, the GT X’s alloys are not overly large like most concepts – they’re just 17-inch rims.
More on Opel and PSA’s PACE plan
The new front end demonstrates two new styling details that will make it further than the concept stage: the Compass and the Visor. The Compass keeps the design clean via two axis that cross over the griffin on the front, including the central crease in the bonnet, while flat plexiglass Visor houses the headlights, DRLs, Level 3 autonomous driving tech and more.
It’s powered by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery and includes wireless inductive charging, which points to Opel and PSA’s growth in electrification in the next decade.
Inside, Vauxhall says the cockpit has the same ‘visual detox’ as the clean exterior. There’s a panoramic windscreen, the cockpit has a single wide information screen devoid of buttons and screens for the pop-out rear-view cameras.
Check out our Vauxhall reviews


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From McDonalds to Marriott, 7-Eleven to Ace Hardware, we’re surrounded by franchises. They are the dominant retail model in the U.S., and underpinning their success are franchisors who grow a network of franchisees who use their own resources to open and run brick-and-mortar stores.
But Stephen Kim, a marketing professor at Iowa State University, says focusing on growth alone misses a big opportunity to understand how franchises become profitable.
“There is another aspect, which is termination,” says Kim.
Terminating a contract with a franchisee is the ultimate form of enforcement that is rarely publicized, he explains. Franchisors generally use this last resort in an effort to uphold uniformity and protect their brand when franchisees repeatedly violate or deviate from the chain’s standards. Kim gives the example of a pizza outlet that’s skimping on quality ingredients; rubbery cheese could damage the restaurant chain’s reputation, causing it to lose customers and revenue.
But cutting ties with a franchisee also carries costs for the franchisor, including the risk of lawsuits, the possibility of upsetting customers and other franchisees in the network, and an immediate drop in royalties, which is usually 5-7% of the franchisee’s sales.
To better understand these tradeoffs and how termination affects the multi-year profitability of franchises, Kim led a study that dug into 4 years of data from more than 6,000 chains in South Korea. The results, which are now available in the Journal of Management, found franchisors’ profitability decreased right after termination but essentially bounced back in two years.
The researchers also discovered young, rapidly growing chains benefited more from ending contracts with wayward franchisees compared to mature, slow-growing chains.
“For the younger chains, termination can have a spillover effect. It signals to other franchisees early on that they need to follow the rules or else they may suffer the same consequences,” says Kim. “For mature chains, there’s a higher chance that the franchisees have already established their way of doing business.”
Perks and Drawbacks of Being a Franchisee
In their paper, the authors pointed to previous research that found 9-10% of contracts with franchisees are terminated, which begs the question: why take on risk as a franchisee in the first place?
Kim says the biggest benefit is that the franchisee gets to open a business using a model that’s already established and tested. They face lower risks and start-up costs compared to launching their own independent business, and they benefit from the chain’s brand recognition and marketing.
But people may feel boxed in when they can’t try something new or make a change to fit local tastes.
“Often people who want to run a franchisee want to be their own boss, but they find there are very tight procedures and rules that the franchisor wants them to follow. They realize they don’t have that much freedom,” says Kim.
Collecting and Analyzing Data
One of the reasons the researchers decided to analyze franchises in South Korea is that, compared to the U.S., it’s easier to access the data. The South Korean government requires every franchisor operating in the country to submit annual reports to the country’s Fair Trade Commission, which the government then compiles and makes publicly available online.
To understand how terminating franchisee contracts affected performance over multiple years, the researchers focused on profitability (return on asset), rather than profit. Kim explains profit is driven by the size of the franchise whereas profitability is a metric used to determine the scope of a company’s profit in relation to the size of the business. Profitability captures more nuance and accurately reflects the impact of termination on the franchise’s success.
The researchers also investigated whether “franchisee addition” and “customer mobility” eased or exacerbated the effects of dropping a franchisee’s contract.
They found franchisee addition (i.e., the rate at which franchisors sign new contracts to add more stores) lessened the negative effect of termination on the chain’s profitability while customer mobility showed no discernable effect. Customer mobility refers to what extent someone visits different outlets of the same chain on a regular basis. For example, customers going to a lot of different McDonald’s stores may expect more uniformity than someone who dines at only one location.
Kim says future studies may be able to tease apart the relationship between franchisee termination and high and low customer mobility.
While the data for this study comes from franchises in South Korea, the researchers say the findings are applicable in the U.S. and can help inform franchisors as they make decisions to grow or trim their business.
Sungwook (Sam) Min at California State University Long Beach contributed to the study.
The post In franchising, playing tough early may support long-term benefits appeared first on www.research.iastate.edu.


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Indonesia’s automotive industry is expanding again, as latest sales of cars and motorcycles prove.
Data released by the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) showed Car sales in Indonesia were up 18 percent in December from a year earlier. In December, automakers sold 86,573 vehicles. Thus, in sum there were about 1.1 million cars were sold in 2016.
Moreover, domestic motorcycle sales rose by 14 percent in January from the same month last year, boosted by demand from islands outside Java, where household income was on the rise thanks to recovery in global commodities price and government infrastructure spending. The manufacturers under Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI) sold 473,879 motorcycles last month, compared to 416,263 in the same month a year ago, the association's data showed.
For motorcycles, Honda Motor remains the market leader in Indonesia, with 78 percent market share last month. Yamaha was distant second with 20 percent market share, followed by Kawasaki at 1.6 percent, Suzuki and TVS. "Seeing the sales in January 2017, we are optimistic that they can grow 5 percent this year. Last year 5.9 million units were sold," said Gunadi.


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The Facebook App Centre
Facebook has introduced an App Centre, where its members can browse apps that are highly rated by their friends.
The Facebook app store is set to include around 600 popular and upcoming apps. Facebook members will be able to view a personalised list based on what their friends most use. They will also be shown recommended apps that are tailored to their tastes based on their previous Facebook activity.
The Facebook App Centre will only contain apps that have been well received by their users. Matt Wyndowe, games product manager at Facebook, said: "It only lists high-quality apps, based on feedback from people who use the app." The exclusive selection of top quality apps could result in people turning to Facebook when searching for a popular or trending app.
A recent report conducted by Reuters and Ipsos has found that 35 per cent of Facebook members have become less engaged with the social network over the last six months. Meanwhile, only 20 per cent have increased their time on the site. The new App Centre could be an attempt to keep people engaged with the social network as the new store gives members more of a reason to stay on the social network.
Daniel Nolan, managing director at theEword, said: "The introduction of the Facebook app store could help to increase the amount of time members spend on the site. As recommendations are from friends, people are more likely to trust the review and become intrigued by the app."


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Get our introductory offer at only
*$0.99/month for first 3 months
$29.90/month for the next 9 months
SMALLER companies are outshining their larger counterparts according to DP Information Group's Fastest Growing 50 (FG50) Awards.
A total of 17 companies with turnovers of less than S$100 million made this year's FG50 winners list. Of this, 10 are homegrown small and medium enterprises (...


text: Close Advertising Next Stop After GameStop? Bitcoin! (Altseason is Here!!!) – Last Week Crypto Like About Share 0 views 0% 0 0 This is another episode of a weekly cryptocurrency news series called Last Week Crypto. We cover the latest global news stories affecting the cryptocurrency … From: admin Date: February 2, 2021 Cryptocurrency Markets bitcoin bitcoin news crypto crypto news cryptocurrency news ethereum ethereum news Related videos 1 01:23:09 0% Monday Markets – XRP Retrace, Dogecoin Trend, DeFi Updates 2 10:58 0% How I’m Investing: My BRUTALLY HONEST Thoughts On The Cryptocurrency Market 2020. [WARNING: OPINION] 5K 04:06 97% How to place a trade in the cryptocurrency markets in Meta Trader 4 42K 23:44 95% ‘BITCOIN PRICE, US ECONOMY CRYPTOCURRENCY MARKETS OVERVIEW’ DataDash 27K 09:00 98% HUGE Altcoin Price Predictions: XRP Soars! Ethereum ETH, Litecoin LTC, Chainlink LINK 43K 02:16:31 99% XRP and Crypto Market PUMP!! LETS GOOO! 42K 11:26 95% Cryptocurrency Market Overview (Analysis) 2 15:36 0% How To Make 200-300% Profits Consistently – The Cryptocurrency Market Cycle Show more related videos Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *CommentName * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


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Apple farmers in Karnali province hit by crop failureDrought during the flowering period and hailstorm during the fruit-bearing period affected output, farmers say.
Apple farmer Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya became bankrupt after his trees did not bear fruit this year. The fruit grower from Phukot village in Karnali province had gathered a bumper harvest last year which earned him Rs185,000.
He had to carry the apples on his back to market as there are no transportation facilities in this remote place in north-western Nepal. This year was a disaster as his crop failed due to severe climatic conditions.
Upadhyaya has harvested around 400 kg of apples this year, nothing compared to his usual annual production of 20 tonnes. “And even these apples I sent to relatives as gifts,” said Upadhyaya. His orchard contains 450 apple trees.
Many apple growers in Kalikot district have been hit by climate change this year. In addition, Covid-19 came and added salt to their wounds as buyers did not show up in the villages of Kalikot where transportation is still a distant dream.
Apple growers in the Karnali province have been suffering for decades due to lack of transportation services. Even when they have a bumper harvest, they are forced to sell their fruits at a cheaper rate.
“Porters charge Rs500 to carry a sack of apples to nearby markets, and most of the farmers still feed the fruits to their cows,” said Upadhyaya.
After the Nepal Army constructed the Surkhet-Jumla road in 2007, linking the Karnali region with the national highway network, apple growers had started commercial farming hoping that one day they would get better market access and income.
But the 232-km road is in poor conditions. It has many sharp turns and blind corners making travel hazardous. Locals and travellers who use the road have to suffer hardships all year round because it becomes unbearably dusty during the dry season and extremely muddy during the rainy season.
For farmers like Upadhyaya, it takes several hours to reach Surkhet.
Kal Rokaya, another apple grower from Raskot, had earned Rs200,000 from his apple crop last year. This year, he earned nothing. He has 500 trees in his orchard.
“The winter drought (January-February) during the flowering period and hailstorm during the fruit-bearing period (April-May) destroyed my crop completely,” said Rokaya.
Last year, the government declared Raskot an apple zone and spent Rs9 million to build a solar store, irrigation system and high-tech nursery, and distribute subsidised apple saplings.
But the government has no programmes to deal with effects of climate change. Tilagupha, which is known as a fertile land for apple farming, was the hardest hit this year.
Despite the adverse weather condition that destroyed local apple crops this year, apple farmer Tek Bahadur Shahi still managed to earn Rs400,000. Last year, his income totalled Rs1.3 million.
“The climate factor affected the harvest, and we were forced to sell our fruits at a very cheap price,” said Shahi, who has 3,500 apple trees in his orchard.
“This year, adverse weather caused apple production to plunge by 60 percent,” said Bharat Basnet, chief of the Agricultural Development Office in Kalikot. More than 14,000 tonnes of apples could be produced in Kalikot district this year, he said.
Tek Bahadur Shahi said that he sold 20 tonnes of apples at Rs65 per kg last year. But this year, according to Shahi, he got Rs50 per kg and was able to sell only 8 tonnes.
“Buyers did not come to the farmers this year due to Covid-19 related restrictions and fear of infection.”
For apple farmers in the Karnali region, roads and access to market have been a dream for decades.
"Farmers in Kalikot were encouraged to plant apple trees as they expected their farms to bring them prosperity," said Navaraj Koirala, a leader of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party. “Before Karnali had road access, farmers used to feed apples to their cattle. Now, they take them to market.”
Lawmaker Koirala, who has 600 apple trees in his orchard, said apple, mushroom and tourism are three key components that can bring prosperity to this remote Karnali region.
“But all these dreams of the people have been shattered as the government has not paid any attention to the development and prosperity of Karnali province,” he said. “There is a road but it is in a very bad condition.”
Local farmer Dadhi Singh Karki had thought that after the Karnali highway was constructed, trucks would bring subsidised rice to Karnali and transport their apple harvests to market. “The road was constructed but it is no good. We still carry apples on our backs and walk several hours to market.”
Until last year, a few traders from Surkhet and Nepalgunj used to come to the farmers bringing cartons to pack the apples. But this year they did not come because of the virus.
A few years back, apples used to rot on the trees in Jumla, Mugu and Kalikot districts. “Farmers used to sell two apples for Rs1. Now they are getting Rs50 per kg or Rs20 per apple” said Ratan Bahadur Shahi, president of the Kalikot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Air transport is the primary way for traders to transport apples to market. The road network has raised the economic status of farmers, and traders even go directly to the farmers’ doors to buy apples. This has empowered apple farmers to negotiate prices in their favour.
Not only farmers but schools are also benefiting from the apple farms. In Tilagupha, Mahadev Secondary High School has planted 3,000 apple trees and 2,000 of them have started bearing fruit. The school sold apples at the rate of Rs1 for two and earned Rs200,000 last year.
The money was used to buy solar heaters, computers and a video camera for the school. “With the income from growing apples, we have hired two teachers,” said Nardeep Shahi, the headmaster of the school. “But this year, we are facing financial difficulties as the apple trees did not yield fruit as expected.”
Apple trees were first planted in Kalikot in 1970 by Dhir Bahadur Hamal, a former member of the National Panchayat during the Panchayat system. Around 3,000 apple saplings was brought from Kashmir, India and distributed to farmers in Kalikot.


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UOB survey: Majority of Malaysians are buying more from local businesses to help the domestic economy recover after COVID-19
Findings also show that consumers are spending more at socially-responsible businesses
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 December 2020 – Almost seven in 10 Malaysian consumers (69 per cent) are buying more from local brands to help these businesses bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is stronger here than in Thailand (67 per cent), Vietnam (58 per cent) and Singapore (51 per cent), according to the UOB ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Study1. Only Indonesia, at 72 per cent, shows a higher consumer preference for local products.
Mr Raymond Chui, Executive Director and Country Head of Business Banking, UOB Malaysia, said that this positive sentiment reflected in the survey is a morale booster for Malaysia’s homegrown businesses impacted2 by measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“Every Ringgit spent to support local businesses can and does make a difference. The preference for local brands will potentially mean higher sales for Malaysian businesses, which will also help boost the confidence of the owners and employees.
“Given the precautionary measures put in place to fight COVID-19, consumers prefer to show their support for local brands through online purchases. Indeed, many consumers and businesses have been turning to the Internet to buy and to sell. This can be seen from the 41 per cent year-on-year increase in the online sales of the Bank’s retail business customers since March to October this year,” Mr Chui said.
In addition, the survey found that due to the pandemic, Malaysian consumers have prioritised their online spending on food deliveries (91 per cent), groceries (89 per cent), health supplements (84 per cent), personal beauty products (85 per cent) and apparel (88 per cent).
To give businesses a new channel to attract customers, UOB Malaysia recently launched Move Your Business Online (MYBO), an e-commerce solution that helps local small businesses in the retail sector to develop online sales capabilities. Through MYBO, businesses can easily set up customised e-commerce websites within three days, complete with payment and delivery capabilities, so that they can reach out to more customers online.
UOB Malaysia has also collaborated with StoreHub to address the needs of food and beverage (F&B) outlet operators3. The Bank's F&B business customers enjoy lower subscription fees for StoreHub’s tablet-based restaurant operating system and online food delivery feature, Beep Delivery, as well as longer-term cost-savings through the use of StoreHub’s all-in-one business management solution4.
Ms Sharon Tang, the proprietor of Basil Pasta House restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, is among the UOB Malaysia customers who have benefitted from the collaboration with StoreHub. She said the StoreHub digital tablet, which comes embedded with a custom-built point-of-sale software, enables the restaurant to manage dine-in transactions better and also to expand their business through food delivery with relatively low costs.
“StoreHub’s all-in-one system helps my business keep tabs on our online menus, inventory movements and sales receipts, as well as generate daily sales activity that can be accessed conveniently via a user-friendly dashboard. There is no need for us to invest in additional equipment or software.
“Further, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected F&B businesses such as ours, as more people stay home in view of the government’s physical distancing requirements. Through our subscription to StoreHub’s service, we only need to add a customised Beep Delivery link to our website and social media accounts, which our customers can click to view our menu, order food, and pay online. This enables us to manage our online food delivery services directly, instead of solely relying on third-party food delivery marketplaces,” Ms Tang said.
Malaysian consumers prefer spending at socially-responsible businesses
The UOB ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Study found that 60 per cent of Malaysian consumers surveyed have spent more on businesses that support lives and livelihoods affected by COVID-19. Fifty-three per cent indicated that they would stop buying from brands that are irresponsible or that take advantage of consumers during the pandemic.
Mr Chui said, “In line with the national #kitajagakita5 (we take care of each other) campaign, consumers are using their spending power to reward businesses that are making an effort to support the community as it battles COVID-19. This trend underscores the importance of businesses operating responsibly. Companies with responsible business practices are more likely to do better in the longer term.”
1 The UOB ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Study, conducted by UOB and Blackbox in July 2020, aims to provide a better understanding of ASEAN consumers at a time when the region is undergoing a deep social and economic transformation. More than 3,500 respondents were interviewed in five ASEAN countries, including 1,000 in Singapore and more than 600 each in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
2 The daily loss in real Gross Domestic Product from the movement control restrictions implemented from 13 October 2020 was about RM0.3 billion, in addition to RM0.9 billion to RM1.4 billion from 18 March to 3 May 2020. Source: Bank Negara Malaysia, 13 November 2020.
3 Please see UOB Malaysia news release: “UOB Malaysia partners StoreHub to help F&B small businesses reduce operational costs as they meet the growing demand for online food delivery”, 4 August 2020.
4 Subject to terms and conditions, please visit www.UOB.com.my. This subscription package is exclusive to UOB Malaysia customers.
5 #kitajagakita is a social campaign initiated by Malaysian social activists and NGOs in March 2020 to help the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.


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Mobile operator Meteor aggressively continued to acquire new customers during the first three months of 2004, according to its owner, Western Wireless Corporation, which last night announced operating results for the quarter ended 31 March, 2004.
Meteor added 18,600 customers during the period, bringing to 199,200 the number of subscribers on its books – virtually all of them pre-paid.
Washington-based Western Wireless reported total revenues of US$448.9m for the first quarter, a 37pc increase over the first quarter of 2003.
Net income for the quarter was US$31.4m or US$0.32 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss of US$24.0m, or US$0.30 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2003. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA rose to US$142.5m for the quarter, a 51pc increase from the same quarter last year.
In customer acquisition terms, Western Wireless International (WWI) grew much faster than its US sister operator. Net customer additions for WWI for the quarter were 145,200 compared with just 22,900 in the US, although the US market accounts for some 42pc of overall revenues.
Total revenues for WWI’s six consolidated businesses including Meteor were US$199.5m for the quarter, an increase of 89pc over the first quarter of 2003. These businesses yielded a EBITDA profit of US$37.7m, compared to a loss of US$3.5m for the first quarter of 2003.
Across the group, average revenues per user for the quarter rose to US$47.80, an increase of 6.6pc over the first quarter of 2003.
“First quarter results for Western Wireless demonstrate the continued solid performance of both of our businesses, highlighted by impressive net income from consolidated operations,” said John Stanton, chairman and chief executive officer of the Washington-based telco.
Stanton continued: “Our consolidated international operations continue to perform exceptionally well. Internationally, we added 145,200 customers in the first quarter and now have over 1.3 million customers.”
By Brian Skelly


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UK: Consumer group slams UK auto recall body
One UK recall that did happen: Toyota's check for sticky accelerator pedals. Toyota GB claimed the action generated considerable customer goodwill
The UK’s car safety recall system needs a complete overhaul, said Which? Car, the local equivalent of the US Consumer Reports, comparing the effectiveness of the US and UK watchdogs.
The British system, administered by the government Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), allows carmakers to determine when recalls are necessary – whereas in the US the National Highway Traffic System Administration (NHTSA) uses its power to force manufacturers into action if it believes a car has a safety problem.
In 2010, the NHTSA instigated 118 recalls, VOSA zero. Which? Car said it believed VOSA didn’t force any recalls as the government body declined to tell the consumer champion. Further investigation found a Freedom of Information response on its website: “VOSA has not been required to use its powers to force a manufacturer into conducting a recall.”
In the past three years, NHTSA investigations have resulted in 492 actions, involving more than 20m vehicles. And Which? Car has found evidence of cars being recalled in the US, but not the UK. For example, in 2005 Volvo USA recalled V70 models made between 1999 and 2002 to fix a throttle fault that caused a sudden massive reduction in power steering, braking assistance and engine power, while Volvo UK did not.
Volvo UK declined to respond to Which? Car but an official response to the problem issued in 2008 cited emission rules, not safety, as the cause of the US recall – and that UK emissions rules are different. Which? Car thought a sudden change to the way a car drives – even if it remains within legal limits – is clearly a safety issue.
Volvo is not the only carmaker to shy away from issuing vehicle recalls in the UK. Previous generation (2003-2010) Vauxhall (Opel) Merivas suffered with intermittent loss of power steering, yet Vauxhall refused to issue a recall; BMW’s original Mini suffered similar power steering (2001-2008) issues, but BMW did not issue a recall either.
Both manufacturers said these were not safety problems so did not warrant recalls.
Consumer website honestjohn.co.uk said in an article on Thursday that VOSA also failed to issue safety recalls over collapsing front suspension perches on Mercedes W210 E Class, steering racks detatching from the bulkheads of Vauxhall Cavaliers, Saab 900s, Saab 9-3s and Daewoo Esperos; and the truly massive problem of failing pressure sensors inside ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP modules on Volkswagens, Skodas, Audis, SEATs, Fords, Mazdas, Volvos and BMWs (though VOSA may have exerted some pressure over this as a repair recommended by HJUK is now being offered by some of these manufacturers free of charge).
Which? Car editor Richard Headland said: “VOSA is a toothless organisation that appears to pander to the car industry. [We believe] it is providing a sub-standard level of protection to British motorists. In contrast, America’s NHTSA leads the way as an example of how a safety recall organisation should operate.”
The publication said the UK’s vehicle recall system needs to be brought in line with that of the US, where NHTSA proactively responds to consumer complaints and ensures recalls happen when it thinks lives could be at risk. It aims to meet VOSA to discuss the actions it believes the government body should take to better protect consumers.
just-auto has also noticed variances in how automakers respond to known faults on each side of the Atlantic. Deputy editor Graeme Roberts' 1999 Volkswagen Bora has been plagued with driver's electric side window regulator failures since purchase in 2001. The best VW UK ever offered was a small parts and labour subsidy for one (of three) repairs; in the US VW extended the warranty on such parts for the equivalent Jetta to seven years from first registration.


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Ferrari, the luxury vehicle manufacturer, has stated that it is considering Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and blockchain technology.
During Ferrari’s Q4 2021 earnings call, CEO Benedetto Vigna informed investors that the business is eager to adopt the new technology.
Ferrari recently announced a partnership with Velas Network. Which is, a Swiss blockchain startup that will produce exclusive digital collectibles and sponsor Ferrari’s racing team.
So, Ferrari is going full steam ahead with NFT adoption, according to its CEO. Ferrari, the Italian luxury car brand, is sticking to its plans to have a presence in the metaverse. Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari’s CEO, remarked this in response to a query on what the company’s investors might expect in terms of the metaverse and NFTs.
Ferrari, according to Benedetto, is looking into how to incorporate new blockchain-based technologies. That’s, because they will be critical to the company’s future success.
” For sure, the digital technologies, the web 3.0 technologies that they’re using, “
“the Blockchain, and the NFT is an area that is interesting for us, it deserves some attention, ” he said.
He goes on to say that the corporation had established up a full section in its retail operation dedicated to digital technology. The company has signed a multi-year agreement with Velas Network, a Swiss blockchain startup, to build the brand in the metaverse. Ferrari’s Maranello racing team will receive exclusive digital memorabilia from Velas. Velas will also be the team’s official sponsor.
NFTs have gained more traction in the new year, Especially with brands like Ferrari
In 2022, the NFT business will see significantly more acceptance from large brands. The NFT trend is catching on with brands from all walks of life. The Walt Disney Company recently revealed that it is seeking to hire an NFTs expert to oversee its digital asset initiatives.
Lamborghini, YouTube, and Twitter are among the brands that have joined the NFT this year.


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XICOMM Secures Future in Telecom with AI Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way through many industries as more companies invest in technology. In fact, reports from 2016 predicted that corporate investments in AI technology would increase to 300 percent in 2017. As a result, AI technology has become a serious conversation across various industry sectors worldwide—and the telecom industry is one of them. The telecom industry is considering AI technology to help deliver a better customer experience through improved network performance and reliability.


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India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has reportedly revealed that the government is “constantly monitoring” and “watching the crypto sector.” Referring to her budget speech, she noted that crypto taxation will be implemented before the central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), issues its digital currency.
Indian Finance Minister on Monitoring Crypto Sector and RBI’s Digital Currency Launch
India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has revealed that government officials are constantly monitoring the crypto sector, India Today reported Monday.
Speaking at India Today Budget Roundtable 2022 on the “State of India’s Economy: The Final Word,” she was quoted as saying:
We have a team of people who are constantly monitoring, watching the crypto sector and listening to people from that area. They are giving me feedback.
In addition, the finance minister said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on issuing India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital rupee. However, she clarified that crypto taxation will be implemented first.
During her budget speech last week, the finance minister proposed taxing income from cryptocurrency at 30% without allowing any deductions except the cost of acquisition.
Last week, Indian Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman J. B. Mohapatra was quoted by the publication as saying:
The taxability of the cryptocurrency is certain for this financial year … Crypto investors should know that the transactions done before April 2022 will not be tax-free.
While some people see the finance minister’s crypto tax proposal as a step to legitimize the sector, many are concerned that it will stifle innovation. Over 70,000 Indians have now signed a petition on Change.org for the government to introduce more reasonable crypto tax policies.
The finance minister also said during her budget speech that the RBI will introduce its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the next financial year beginning April 2022. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the digital rupee will strengthen the digital economy and revolutionize fintech.
What do you think about the Indian government constantly monitoring the crypto sector? Let us know in the comments section below.
Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, CNBC TV18
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.


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WH Smith to launch Web portal tomorrow
Free Net access and all the usual suspects
Reassuringly familiar high street newsagent and bookseller, WH Smith, is launching its new UK-focused portal tomorrow, in a bid to tap into the burgeoning demand for the Internet. Among the standard services and content you'd expect from a portal, including subscription-free Net access, whsmith.co.uk will also become a "living library of educational and entertainment material." Perhaps it was this creative use of words in its press release that mislead one UK Sunday newspaper to claim: "Smith opens Net library" adding that it will "unveil a comprehensive electronic library" at its Web site. Now that would be novel. People queuing up to have their Web pages date-stamped and told: "Sssshhhh -- be quiet," if they got a bit rowdy while waiting in cyber-line. It may also be a great place for tramps and drunks to slope off to when it's cold or wet outside and all they want is somewhere warm to have a kip. But the idea was dismissed out of hand by WH Smith. "God knows where the Mail on Sunday got that idea from," said Tim Blythe, a spokesman for WH Smith. "Don't believe what you read in newspapers," he said. Quite. ® See also Free Web access war between the bookworms Web-based bookstore for UK from Bertelsmann WH Smith sets sights on becoming portal
Sponsored: Are DLP and DTP still an issue?


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In a study to get a more accurate picture of just how much successful weight maintainers are exercising, a group of researchers at the University of Colorado found that the weight loss maintainers expended around 12 calories/kg/day as compared to the normal weight (10 calories/kg/day) and overweight individuals (7 calories/kg/day). To find your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2
Translated into a step count, the researchers reported that the weight loss maintainers logged 12,100 steps per day as compared to 8,900 steps by the normal weight subjects and 6,500 by the overweight group.
Study Link: click HERE
Part of the struggle to make weight loss permanent is related to the physiological changes that occur when a body shrinks in size. A lighter body burns fewer calories than a heavier one due to the reduced effort it takes to move less mass. It also burns fewer calories at rest (reduction in resting metabolic rate). So, what worked to lose the weight may not be as effective when it comes to maintaining that new weight—to keep it off, keep moving! Changing your everyday habits to include more walks, bike rides and a daily fitness class or workout routine is your key to maintaining your progress. Remember though, we can’t outwork a poor diet, so continue to maintain good nutritional habits in addition to moving more.


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At a recent meeting of the She Owns It business group the two newest members shared their long-term goals for their businesses, YogaFit, owned by Beth Shaw, and the Megawatt Hour, owned by Deirdre Lord.
Looking ahead, Ms. Shaw said YogaFit, which trains yoga instructors, would ideally be acquired by, or would partner with, a larger fitness or education company. “I would love that to happen within two years so that we can accelerate at a much faster pace in terms of better technology, better global channels of distribution, and more systems,” she said.
“Are there other companies that do specifically what you do?” asked Susan Parker, who owns Bari Jay, a company that makes prom and bridesmaid dresses. Read more…
At the most recent meeting of the She Owns It business group, Jessica Johnson expressed frustration with the way her company is sometimes perceived. The issue involves small businesses that are certified as being minority-owned, woman-owned or disadvantaged (a business certified as disadvantaged must be majority owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as defined here.). As it happens, Ms. Johnson’s company, Johnson Security Bureau, is all three. This means, among other things, that on state contracts, prime contractors can consider using Johnson Security to satisfy subcontracting goals that call for the use of such firms.
Generally, this is good news for Johnson Security, which is a subcontractor on several projects for much larger security and construction companies. Part of Johnson Security’s successful growth strategy has involved taking on these jobs in addition to its prime contracts. But they come with challenges that include battling the impression that certification programs give these companies a “handout,” Ms. Johnson said.
“It’s an expensive process to become certified,” she told the group. “It’s not like you say, ‘Hey, I’m a woman, let me flash you,’ and then you get the certificate.” The certification process is rigorous, requiring site visits and the submission of paperwork including tax returns and business licenses. Read more…
Suzanne DeChillo/The New York TimesDeirdre Lord (left) and Alexandra Mayzler.
In pastposts, the She Owns It business group talked about the challenges of finding good employees. But once you’ve got your team in place, how do you keep them motivated? The owners tried to answer that question during a recent meeting.
“I’ve always found it very effective to make sure people can share in the financial success of the company,” said Deirdre Lord, who owns the Megawatt Hour and helped found a previous start-up. “It’s not just compensation — it’s giving people equity and making sure the people who work with you really feel like they are not cogs in the wheel.” She added that giving performance-based bonuses — in cash or equity — could help keep people motivated.
“Do you think everybody in the company should be eligible for that, or only the people on the front lines?” asked Beth Shaw, who owns YogaFit. Read more…
Suzanne DeChillo/The New York TimesAlexandra Mayzler.
In a perfect world, owners would only hire employees who care as much about the company as they do. But as the members of the She Owns It business group recently discussed, it can be hard to find motivated workers who share that enthusiasm. Alexandra Mayzler, who owns Thinking Caps Tutoring, said she had become pretty good at spotting the keepers during the interview process. You just have to know what to ask and listen to the answers.
Ms. Mayzler, who majored in psychology during college and describes herself as an “armchair psychologist,” said it was easy enough for a smart person to figure out what the interviewer wants to hear and answer accordingly. Viewing the interview process as a decision tree, she said that one of her first questions was typically, “Did you go on our Web site?”
“How many people say no?” asked Beth Shaw, who owns YogaFit.
“Ten percent,” Ms. Mayzler answered. That 10 percent is not automatically dismissed. In those cases, Ms. Mayzler will continue the conversation, and ask why that person did not visit the site. She will accept a good excuse — perhaps final exams. Read more…
At the most recent meeting of the She Owns It business group, the members followed up on issues raised in previous posts. The conversation then turned to the challenges of hiring, including where to find the best candidates: LinkedIn? Craigslist? Dog parks?
Alexandra Mayzler reported that she is no closer to coming up with a catchy new tagline for her company, Thinking Caps Tutoring. Its current one, “students teaching students,” no longer fits. Jessica Johnson remains busy managing the challenges of Johnson Security Bureau’s large new contract. Those include navigating relationships with the prime contractor on the job — Johnson Security is a sub-contractor — and the agency for which both work.
A group member, Deirdre Lord, owns The Megawatt Hour, an online subscription service that helps commercial and industrial clients manage, track and forecast their energy usage and expenses. When we last met, she was scrambling to reach potential customers who faced an end-of-May deadline to apply for a New York Power Authority program that will give businesses access to subsidized hydroelectric power. Since then, the State has carried out a rolling deadline.
While the change could cause The Megawatt Hour’s potential clients to delay making a decision, there is now more time to raise awareness and get businesses to focus on the issue. As a result, Ms. Lord said, The Megawatt Hour will be better prepared when they do. She said her company has done more education and outreach surrounding the N.Y.P.A. program and tweaked its product, carving out a separate offering that addresses it. “We realized that people making a decision need a lot more hand-holding,” she said. Ms. Lord’s company has won three new clients as a result of its efforts: a hospital in Brooklyn, a nonprofit in the Bronx, and a Holiday Inn in midtown Manhattan.
“Will they bring all the other Holiday Inns on board?” Ms. Mayzler asked. Read more…
During the last meeting of the She Owns It business group we introduced Deirdre Lord, an owner of The Megawatt Hour, and Beth Shaw, who owns YogaFit. Ms. Lord talked about a marketing opportunity that her company was scrambling to maximize, and Ms. Shaw shared her desire to get out of the apparel business and focus on education, her company’s core competency. Ideally, she would like to license the apparel side of her business. We also caught up with the other members of the group.
YogaFit’s unsuccessful foray into the sale of nonbranded clothing has left it with $500,000 worth of unsold merchandise to unload. Susan Parker, who owns Bari Jay, said she could relate to that. With prom season ending she is also looking to get rid of inventory. “Next year, these prom dresses will be worth less than they are right now,” she said.
“Is there a certain look that goes from prom season to prom season?” Ms. Shaw asked. Read more…
A previous post introduced Deirdre Lord, an owner of The Megawatt Hour and a new member of the She Owns It business group. Her company offers an online subscription service that helps commercial and industrial clients manage, track and forecast their energy use and expenses. When we met in early May, Ms. Lord was scrambling to take advantage of a significant — and time-sensitive — marketing opportunity.
Days before, Ms. Lord said, the New York Power Authority had announced details of a program that would give businesses access to subsidized hydroelectric power in exchange for a commitment to add a certain number of jobs and plow a certain amount of capital into their businesses. To take advantage of the program, businesses must apply by the end of the month. Many are receiving letters about the program. But Ms. Lord said the letters are opaque and make it difficult to tease out how a given business’s costs could be affected. The Megawatt Hour could help customers determine what they would pay if they were accepted into the N.Y.P.A. program. Read more…
Employees: Twelve at the company’s headquarters; 60 trainers (independent contractors).
Beth Shaw, 46, became interested in yoga after she moved from New York City to Los Angeles in 1989. While working in advertising sales for various magazines, she decided to get certified as an instructor and teach at fitness clubs as a hobby. When she did, she found that traditional methods of teaching yoga weren’t suited to the fitness club environment with its bright lights, cold rooms, and wide range of student flexibility levels. Read more…


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A startup based in the US has launched a smart laptop shell that turns your Android smartphone into a laptop. The shell called the Superbook makes it more convenient and affordable for people in developing countries like India and South Africa to carry the product to their office in their pocket. Also Read - Facebook for Android will soon get dark mode and coronavirus tracking feature
According to TreeHugger report, the shell, called Superbook by Andromium, makes any Android smartphone output look like a desktop environment. It is essentially a “dumb terminal”, a notebook without a processor but with a keyboard, battery, trackpad and display. Also Read - Increasing smartphone usage may be resulting in growing horns on our skull; research suggests
Andromium launched this ambitious product on Kickstarter — a website “designed to bring creative projects to life” — and is available at $99. Developed by Andrew Jiang and his team at Andromium, the Superbook provides a large screen, keyboard and multi-touch trackpad, more than eight hours of battery and phone-charging capabilities.
When plugged into Android smartphone , it launches an app to deliver the full laptop experience. According to Andrew, the app is essentially Android Continuum that lets you work seamlessly — going from phone to notebook.
“With the Superbook, you can do everything you can do on a laptop – and more. With desktop -class browsing, access to office applications, games, and even programming, the opportunities are limitless,” Andromium said in its project description on Kickstarter.


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China's digital fiat currency, or the e-CNY, is being used at restaurants, booths and vending machines for the first time at the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
The CIIE, now in its fourth edition, has attracted nearly 3,000 companies from 127 countries and regions. Representatives of these businesses and other attendees of the fair can use digital yuan when paying for food or buying souvenirs at the fair.
The Bank of China has set up six booths at the venue of the CIIE to help those in need to apply for a digital yuan wallet, and around 60 to 80 people went to each booth for help every day, said Chu Yifeng, an employee of the bank.
At the souvenir store of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), where the CIIE is being held, consumers can get a "30 off 50" discount when paying with the e-CNY.
Discounts are also offered at restaurants including Pizza Hut and KFC.
E-CNY is the digital version of fiat currency issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and operated by authorized operators. It is a value-based, quasi-account-based and account-based hybrid payment instrument, with legal tender status and loosely-coupled account linkage.
The development of the e-CNY system aims to create a new form of RMB that meets the public demand for cash in the digital economy era.
The PBOC began its e-CNY research and development project at the end of 2017.
As of June 30, 2021, the e-CNY has been applied to over 1.32 million scenarios, covering utility payments, catering services, transportation, shopping and government services.
BizBeat Ep. 182: China outlines future of e-CNY
Trying out digital currency at China's consumer products expo


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The city will receive a fresh set of lungs soon.
What’s it about? In line with the 2022 Market Modernization Plan, the sprawling wholesale fruit and vegetable market at Koyambedu will house a park with recreational facilities. Back in 2022, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) pledged a ₹20 crore corpus to revamp the market with modern facilities and abundant greenery.
- The park will be built on the 8-acre open space reservation on the market premises. The plethora of trees in the park will provide urban dwellers with a green respite and better air quality.
- The development authority plans to implement measures for maintaining a clean and hygienic environment in the park.
Why though? Koyambedu market, one of Asia’s largest grocery supplies markets, is thronged by thousands of shops and customers. The market is finally getting a makeover after over 25 years of existence, and the new park is expected to improve trade and shopping experiences.