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If there's one duty we're bound to in December, it's celebrating. Thirty-one days of toasts to good cheer, good friends, and good food. It's the best month of the year.
Really, any excuse to celebrate is a good one, and tonight you can celebrate the upcoming Taste of Brickell Food & Wine Festival with food, drinks, and fashion.
Though the full-on festival doesn't kick off until March 29, 2014, think of this as a taste of things to come. The holiday shindig is setting up shop Thursday night at Mary Brickell Village with light bites, cocktails, chair massages, fashion shows, and a raffle.
"We have Porçao Farm to Grill, which is brand new. They're going to be serving some of their grass-fed beef," event organizer Cindy Bettner says.
There'll also be bites by New on the Block, Oceanaire Seafood Room, Tapas Xperience, Balans, and Doraku Sushi. Plus, there'll be drinks from Wines of Delibori Vigneti e Cantine, Papa's Pilar Rum, Angels Envy Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, and others.
The fashion show will feature getups from Mary Brickell Village's boutiques, and there'll be live tunes too.
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"This is our launch event for Taste of Brickell. In December, we launch our ticket sales for the festival itself. This is kind of a holiday kickoff to create buzz for the event and let people know where it is and what it is," Bettner adds.
The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. this Thursday at Mary Brickell Village, 901 S. Miami Ave. Tickets are listed at $75 in advance and $95 at the door, but Bettner says they'll likely offer discounted $50 holiday admission at the door. Visit tasteofbrickell.com.
Follow Hannah on Twitter @hannahalexs.


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The next generation of finance faces growth limitations using traditional banking rails. This is particularly the case for the €10 trillion alternative investment market of high-performing assets such as private equity and real estate.
As of now, fintechs are forced to ask for high minimum investments, due to high issuance, distribution and storage costs. This prevents investment platforms from offering this great asset class to the masses.
The only way to make these kinds of investments available to everyone is by upgrading fintechs with a new financial infrastructure. Upvest offers fintech-ready APIs making it easy for any company to store financial assets on the blockchain.
Fintechs can now empower its users to own and control their financial assets anytime digitally.
At the same time, users can invest as little as €1 without even being aware that the investment is underpinned by blockchain technology. The result? Fintech companies save 85% of costs compared to traditional banking for the storage of alternative investments.
Patrick Norris (Notion): ‘We expect the Blockchain to be extremely disruptive to the financial services industry. Upvest’s blockchain agnostic platform for Asset Tokenization puts it in an extremely strong position to be the enterprise-grade platform of choice for the new generation of financial services companies.’
Jan Miczaika (Holtzbrinck Ventures): ‘We were impressed by Upvest’s drive to find a real-world and repeatable use case for the blockchain. It is one of the few companies in the space that has real revenues and a clear ROI for its customers’
Upvest is up and running, with leading investment platforms such as Exporo and Bitwala. Signups for its APIs are from over eighty countries. To date, €50 million in volume has been processed via its APIs.
Upvest was founded by Martin Kassing in 2018 and is based in Berlin, supported by a team of 20 FTEs. Led by a team of leaders with strong industry experience, including Tobias Auferoth (Finance), Sebastien Jeanquier (Security), and Enrico Mariotti (Engineering). Notion Capital, Partech Ventures and Holtzbrinck Ventures now support Upvest for further growth with a €7M investment round.
Martin Kassing, CEO & Founder
SOURCE & Image: https://upvest.co

domain: news


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Google is under fire–with antitrust claims levied from a handful of competitors. What the cries of monopoly and investigations into business practices fail to address though is that being dominant isn’t all bad.
Google’s virtual monopoly in the search engine and search advertising markets comes with some benefits that essentially make its success both a vicious circle and a self-fulfilling prophecy. The better Google is at search and search advertising, the more market share it captures. The more market share it captures, the better it is at search and search advertising. Rinse, and repeat.
My PCWorld colleague David Coursey points out “Nobody seems to have forced anyone, at least not large numbers of people, to use Google search. Nor have I seen allegations of people forced at gunpoint to use Google AdWords for their promotions.”
So, Google isn’t being accused—at least not yet–of any sort of extortion or unfair business practices. Competitors are just upset that Google has won so much of the market. Google’s dominant position is one of the main ingredients in its recipe for success. Let’s take a look at how Google’s “monopoly” is beneficial.
1. The more search traffic Google gets, the better it is able to tune and improve its search algorithms–returning more relevant results, faster. The US Department of Justice said as much in approving the Bing-Yahoo partnership and citing why it’s good for competition.
2. Improved search results yields improved ad targeting. Improved ad targeting is better for advertisers because it gets their message in front of the right audience, and it provides a better value for users because the ads they see are more likely to be relevant to their search, and hence their interests.
3. Google’s dominance across multiple areas–search, advertising, and mapping–puts it in a unique position to correlate that data and provide new opportunities for businesses to target advertising on a localized level.
If users didn’t prefer Google, it wouldn’t be as successful as it is, and it wouldn’t hold the market share(s) that it does. If users didn’t prefer Google, advertisers wouldn’t flock to jump on the AdWords bandwagon to take advantage of the huge search audience. Google’s success is a vicious circle.
Unfortunately, free market capitalism is like physics. The Newtonian laws of physics you learned in fourth grade make sense based on observation: an object at rest stays at rest, a reaction has an equal and opposite reaction, etc. However, at a certain point those laws no longer apply and the world of physics behaves differently than expected.
The idea that businesses should be allowed to operate free of governance or oversight, and that the ability of the market to choose will fuel competition and level the playing field works to a certain point. However, when a company is so successful in the free market that it achieves a dominant stake, it becomes a victim of its own success and intervention is required to open the market to competition once again.
Coursey also notes “Google is a dominant player because it’s done an excellent job of meeting customer needs. Its success is built upon customer acceptance, as well as perhaps the desire of the marketplace to standardize around a single search engine that we all use.”
Unfortunately for Google, Microsoft, and any other company that is “too successful”–regardless of how fairly they achieved that status–the world of free market capitalism requires that there be some competition in the market.
The world abhors a monopoly, no matter how legitimate, but competitors need to understand that the market will still choose and they can’t litigate their way to the top.
Tony Bradley is co-author of Unified Communications for Dummies . He tweets as @Tony_BradleyPCW , and can be contacted at his Facebook page .


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A division of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, Coinbase Pro have recently added three new cryptocurrencies that are EOS (EOS), Augur (REP) and Maker (MKR) in the platform. Coinbase then explained, “One of the most common requests we receive from customers is to be able to trade more assets on our platform. Per the terms of our listing process, we anticipate supporting more assets that meet our standards over time.”
A new version of Ethereum Wallet Dapp has been launched in Opera which aims to enable the users to perform transactions and network with blockchain-powered Internet-Web 3. It will be in line with the cryptocurrency wallet in the Opera browser for smartphone and guarantees to “safeguard user’s data from third parties and secures their geographic location.”
The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has brought out a limited pilot to trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) by signing agreement with Blockstation (a Canadian fintech company) to develop tools for the trading of digital assets and security tokens. They are also planning to launch broker-dealers in crypto trading.
A Digital gift cards and mobile phone refill provider Bitrefill has made it possible for the cryptocurrency enthusiast to utilize their cryptocurrency gift cards to make reservations on Airbnb. The users are now allowed to pay for their bookings with bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dash (DASH), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE) where the card will be treated as a voucher product.
A FinTech startup, 2gether has recently shared that its upcoming prepaid Visa debit card, which will enable its users to spend their cryptocurrencies. The cryptocurrency payment option will be made available in 19 eurozone countries and will be offering in the total of seven cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Bitcoin cash, EOS, Stellar, and Litecoin.
An announcement has been made to confirm that a cryptocurrency platform Abra will be expanding their support for Ethereum. Abra then explained, “Abra’s synthetic asset model is the first of its kind and leverages bitcoin and litecoin blockchain-enabled smart contracts to reduce friction for anyone interested in buying, selling, and holding other assets such as alternative cryptocurrencies.”
A new wallet has been launched by Bancor which allows the users to convert their Ethereum and EOS tokens. In the announcement, Bancor explained, “This is the next step in Bancor becoming a blockchain-agnostic network, and abstracting away the blockchain experience in favour of frictionless token conversions and management.”
Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S10 was unveiled recently from the some unboxing video confirmed the existence of the Blockchain Keystore app that serves as a crypto wallet for top cryptocurrencies. However one demonstration reveals that it lacks Bitcoin support. Though still there isn’t any official report on it, but many other crypto wallets have prioritized Ethereum.
Edgeware is a experimental blockchain which works on the basis of the PoS consensus protocol and at present it runs on a testnet. They aren’t going to go the usual way of ICO, but they plan to use a smart contract which provide with block Ethereum coins for a certain period and receive Edge tokens as a reward.
A cryptocurrency exchange based in the U.S, Coinbase has recently decided to let go of staff after the spyware backlash. The co-founder of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong then explained referring to their purchase of an Italian blockchain analytics firm, Neutrino, “we did not properly evaluate everything from the perspective of our mission and values as a crypto company.”


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Highlights of issues from a 2017 United States Department of Health and Human Services report relating to publicity to vaping-related chemicals in a Vape Juice shop. A 2017 United States Department of Health and Human Services report evaluated concerns about exposure to vaping-related chemicals in a vape shop. James Rodger (7 April 2017). «How vaping shops are promoting e-cigarettes to non-smokers». E-cigarette advertising and marketing approaches at the 2017 World Vapor Mods Tanks Coils Expo included providing samples of sweet flavored e-liquids along with precise matching sweet samples.
Becca Clark (20 October 2017). «Top 10 Best Accessories to purchase at Your Vape sale Shop». The Vapor Mania Expo was held on October 12 and 13, 2019 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2019 that greater than 380 cases of lung illness and 6 confirmed deaths across the US was linked to vaping, but TD Bowen, co-proprietor of Moon Mountain Vape Juice shop and e-liquids, says it is illicit vaping products that’s the wrongdoer.
In May 2016 the US FDA used its authority beneath the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to deem e-cigarette devices and e-liquids to be tobacco merchandise, which meant it intended to regulate the advertising and marketing, labelling, and manufacture of units and Vapor Mods Tanks Coils liquids; Vape Tank retailers that mix e-liquids or make or Vapor Mods Tanks Coils modify devices had been thought-about manufacturing sites that wanted to register with US FDA and adjust to good manufacturing follow regulation. The US FDA introduced several new actions and efforts geared toward doing just that as the primary steps in a new Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan targeted on stopping youth use of tobacco products, and in particular, e-cigarettes.
Though there proceed to be independently owned vape retailers, from financial and political perspectives the e-cigarette enterprise is now a part of the standard tobacco industry.


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Fishing with your father on Father’s Day on the legendary waters of
Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR’s most prestigious track, is offering a unique way to spend Father’s Day – fishing on the 29-acre
Between 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, fathers and their sons and daughters of all generations will have the opportunity to fish the waters of
dmission for the inaugural Father’s Day fishing tournament at DIS is $34 for adults and $29 for children age 6-12 and includes a Daytona 500 Experience Motor
Tickets can be purchased at www.DAYTONA500EXPERIENCE.com or by visiting Daytona 500 Experience Guest Services.
Tickets also are available for the Independence Day holiday classic – the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday, July 4. For tickets, call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit


text: Underlying customer demand for Microsoft products should not "fundamentally change" if the U.S. software giant splits into two, Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Computers, said. Speaking at a CEO summit on converging technologies in London Tuesday, Dell would not comment on the details of the antitrust case against Microsoft, but said he did not approve of government intervention. Representatives at Dell Computers could not say what percentage of Dell computers are sold with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Separately, Dell said his company's relationship with telecommunications companies would gain in importance. He sees the next generation of wireless devices as "wireless, three-lb, Dell computers," rather than mobile phones. "Bundling communication services and products together" would become an increasingly important part of Dell's business, he noted. Devices such as Palm Pilots would not replace the PC, but would be complementary, he said. "At no time in the last seven years have we had as much robust growth as we are experiencing now," he told delegates.


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Is This Really the Toyota Camry’s Answer to Crossover SUVs?
Midway through last year, Toyota offered a new option for its best-selling sedan, the Camry. For the first time in decades, the car company announced all-wheel drive was available for most 2021 Camry trim levels. This puts the popular car in a different category from most other sedans. But it’s likely Toyota was angling to offer a tempting alternative to crossover SUVs. Did the move work?
Toyota reintroduced the AWD Camry last year
According to Toyota, not many sedans are available with all-wheel drive unless you’re looking at luxury models. But halfway through last year, the brand decided to change that fact by adding another drivetrain to the 2021 Camry’s offerings.
All Camry trims come standard with front-wheel drive, but now most also offer AWD. This includes all four-cylinder models — the LE, SE, SE Nightshade Edition, XLE, and XSE. AWD isn’t available for the TRD, XLE V6, XSE V6, or any of the sedan’s hybrid versions.
The addition of all-wheel drive doesn’t even seem to make a big dent in fuel efficiency, one of the Camry’s selling points. AWD drops the average gas mileage by only about 1 mpg.
The automaker knows the Camry is the top-selling midsize sedan. Because it’s already crushing the competition in its class, why did Toyota make this move?
Can the Toyota Camry compete with crossover SUVs?
A Camry with all-wheel drive isn’t unheard of. According to Car and Driver, Toyota offered the option on Camry models from 1988 to 1991. This era was full of sedans offering AWD, such as the Mitsubishi Galant, Honda Civic, and Ford Tempo.
But when SUVs hit the market, they quickly became the vehicle of choice for people who wanted better traction. Sedans with that feature went the way of the dinosaur.
These days, only a few sedans offer AWD, such as the Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima. The option’s revival for the Camry probably isn’t a bid to compete with these sedans. Instead, Toyota seems to be targeting crossover SUV buyers with a moderately priced alternative.
With a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the all-wheel-drive Camry isn’t as powerful as most SUVs. But for a family car, it offers an upgrade in handling icy or slippery conditions without leveling up in size or price to a crossover SUV.
Did the move work?
Because the Toyota Camry is already dominating the midsize sedan segment, if the new options made any inroads in the crossover SUV market, sales should show a sizable bump. All-wheel drive has been available in the Camry for about a year, so what do the numbers show?
A look at the sales figures tells us the results are a bit unclear. After all, the big change came in the early months of the pandemic. As with many industries, coronavirus had far-reaching effects on auto sales across the board.
In this environment, the introduction of the AWD Camry option didn’t boost sales, GoodCarBadCar shows. In fact, sales dropped quite a bit, but it’s impossible to know what the response would have been in a normal year.
2021 Camry sales look pretty good to this point, and it’s possible that the AWD option could still improve sales. But so far, it doesn’t seem to have made a dent in the crossover SUV market.


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Better late than never, as the saying goes: Twenty years after scientific studies began revealing the damage that trans fats are doing to America's collective cardiovascular health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it finally intends to ban the man-made fats.
The agency has proposed a rule that would remove the "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) designation for partially hydrogenated oils, which food manufacturers create by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils, generating trans fats in the process. Doing so would mean that any food company that wants to use partially hydrogenated oils would require FDA approval to do so. And the FDA has said, essentially, that will never happen.
While the FDA has removed the GRAS designation from a number of lesser-known ingredients and those that pose an acute health threat, this is the first time the agency has done so with an ingredient used on such a massive scale, says Benico Barzilai, MD, section head of clinical cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic. "I actually think the FDA was getting frustrated that they had really come down hard on trans fats, but they are still being used quite a bit in the food industry," he says. "I think they saw that the only way to reduce their use is an outright ban."
More From Prevention
In 2006, the agency required food manufacturers to list trans fats on the Nutrition Facts panel of processed foods, and in response, some companies reformulated their products to avoid bad press—but only some. In May 2013, a study from Harvard University and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) revealed that the heart-damaging fats were still widely used by the food industry, with microwave popcorn, fried fast-food, and canned breads (such as biscuits, crescent rolls, and cookie dough) containing alarming amounts. The American Heart Association recommends restricting trans fat intake to 2 grams per day; some of the fat-laden foods Harvard and CSPI looked at contained 7 grams per serving. (See if hidden trans fats are hiding in your favorite foods.)
Dr. Barzilai adds that a lot of people just aren't that aware of how widespread the fats still are, especially in restaurant foods. "A lot of restaurants, particularly small vendors, are still using trans fat–laden products because they're convenient," he says.
And they're continuing to put public health at risk. Just before the FDA required labeling in 2006, Harvard epidemiologists estimated that these fats were responsible for between 72,000 and 228,000 cases of heart disease and 50,000 deaths each year. A few years later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accounting for reduced use thanks to labeling, estimated that artificial trans fats were still causing 10,000 to 20,000 heart attacks and 3,000 to 7,000 deaths annually. Considering that trans fats first debuted in 1912, that means they could be responsible for the deaths of roughly 5 million people, says Drew Ramsay, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and author of The Happiness Diet. (Read this excerpt of Dr. Ramsey's book to get the full backstory on when and how trans fats infiltrated America.)
It's not just deaths, Ramsey adds. "These fats are not only linked to heart disease, they're also linked to increased risk of depression," he says, which may be attributable to inflammation caused by the artificial fats. "When you put strange things into the biochemical gears of the body, strange things happen. That's the lesson we're learning with foods over and over."
There's no telling when the FDA's new rule will be finalized or implemented, so, Dr. Ramsey advises, "you shouldn't depend on the FDA to keep trans fats out of your diet. It's very, very easy to do on your own: Just stop eating stuff from packages."


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Former Tesco executive Robin Terrell has joined smart home security start-up Cocoon as its new chairman.
Terrell, who quit as the grocer’s chief customer officer last October to build a portfolio career, will be charged with guiding the business “through its next phase of growth”.
Cocoon, which uses Subsound technology to protect homes using a single device, is launching its first equity crowdfunding campaign tomorrow and aims to sell its products through retailers.
After launching in 2016, Cocoon has sold to customers in more than 50 countries across the globe.
The chairmanship of the business is the latest role Terrell has taken on since departing Tesco.
The former managing director of Amazon UK has also landed non-executive roles with value retailer Wilko, bookmaker William Hill and online boutique Amara Living.
Terrell already held a similar role at womenswear business Karen Millen.
‘Real world problem’
Terrell said: “The great thing about Cocoon is that it’s not technology that’s just looking for a problem to solve. It solves a real world problem for customers, in a really innovative way.
“Throughout my career I’ve seen that putting customers at the heart of your business is critical to success and that’s exactly what Cocoon do.
“When I met the team I was really impressed, they have a proven track record. I’m delighted to join them to help scale the business and get Cocoon on as many retailer’s shelves worldwide as we can.”


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A recent survey conducted by Bankrate.com is in the news after it showed that only 51 percent — the lowest in the survey’s history — of respondents had enough cash saved up to pay off their credit cards, and these numbers likely hold true for residents of New Jersey as well. More than 30 percent of Americans said that their credit card debt was larger than their savings, and 17 percent did not have either any money in savings or in credit card debt.
The personal savings rate in the United States is also continuing to drop. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the savings rate came in at 4.2 percent in November of 2013. The lowest rate was in 2007 at just below 3 percent. The low savings rate and the significant percentage of Americans who have more credit card debt than they could pay off if needed are a result of long-term unemployment, stagnant incomes and high household expenses, according to the chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com.
The lingering effects of the 2013 holiday season are likely also a factor, as consumer debt increased at a rate of 3.3 percent in the final quarter of last year. The amount of disposable income did not increase proportionately, so it seems likely a fair amount of people used credit cards to cover holiday spending.
With recent studies showing that the 44 percent of households in the United States have less than three months’ worth of savings tucked away, those that have high amounts of credit card debt may be struggling to pay the bills. Overwhelming amounts of debt can affect every aspect of a person’s life — financially, emotionally and mentally. Filing for bankruptcy to eliminate credit card debt may be one option to get back on track.
Source: CBS News, “Close to half of Americans have more credit card debt than savings” Constantine Von Hoffman, Feb. 18, 2014


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Why has Airbnb banned parties from its listings?
The platform mentions that in 2021 they suspended 6,600 guests for violating the temporary ban on parties. This is because, as a result of the pandemic and given that many restaurants, bars, and meeting places were forced to close, they noticed that many users were renting accommodation to hold clandestine parties.
“This concerned us both because of the nature of unauthorized parties and the risk of such gatherings spreading the virus,” the official statement mentions. Over time, the ban became much more than a public health measure, but a critical community policy to support hosts and neighbors.
They mention that the ban was received positively by hosts and neighbors, since since it was implemented in August 2020, party reports have dropped by 44%.
In addition, it is important to mention that the platform requests an official identification of all guests who stay in an accommodation. An additional charge is also made for each extra person who wants to stay. Otherwise, they would be violating company policies.
How will Airbnb work now?
On this platform you can find accommodation categories for all kinds of events. For example, there are very large houses, European castles and even vineyards available for rent.
However, the company mentions that the nature of these accommodations is to be able to bring together large families, hold intergenerational meetings or for groups of friends looking for an intimate and pleasant space to enjoy a vacation. Not for parties.
For this reason, the new measures implemented are:
- Parties are strictly prohibited in Airbnb listings.
- The maximum capacity will be 16 people and only for accommodations with this capacity (with some exceptions for hotels or boutiques).
- Users will be informed about the new rules regarding this topic.
- Although this is not a novelty, they once again remember the hotlines for neighbors who are affected by accommodations of Air bnb and protection AirCover for hosts who suffer damage to their property.


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One of the fastest growing regions for IPOs is Africa. Investors, particularly those in the tech sector, should take note.
There has been a global downturn in the number of tech IPOs taking place. Take Canada, for example: it’s last big IPO was in May 2015, when Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) went public in a $131 million IPO. Therefore, it’s incredibly exciting to hear of a region with a hot IPO pipeline.
In 2016, this region is Africa. With about $3.1 billion expected to be raised from IPOs this year alone, the continent is turning out to be one of the top areas for IPOs in the world.
IPO milestones for Africa
The Financial Times has reported that African stock market flotations are on their way to reaching their highest level since 2010, when $4.4 billion were raised in IPOs. Since then, the region has really struggled, hitting a low of $320 million in 2012. Therefore, to hear that the region has 16 upcoming IPOs in the works is significant news.
According to Edward Bibko, head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa capital markets practice at Baker & McKenzie, “there’s enormous pent up demand among issuers to conduct capital raisings, particularly in Egypt, which is showing strong growth and the emergence of a larger middle class.” Investors, take note.
Understanding the trend
Africa is an immense continent, and IPO activity isn’t happening equally across the board. For instance, Egypt is a particularly hot market right now, with seven Egyptian companies anticipated to IPO in the coming months. Meanwhile, areas like sub-Saharan Africa haven’t seen a major influx in IPOs. The relative quiet in this region may be attributable to the after effects of a commodity price rout which shook the market.
The pipeline companies are concentrated by sector, in addition to geography. For instance, the majority of Egyptian companies ready to IPO appear concentrated in the food, real estate and financial services sector. Across the region as a whole, there is a clear turn away from energy and power companies towards new up-and-coming tech innovators.
For example, InterSwitch Ltd could become one of Africa’s largest IPOs in history. The Nigeria-based company is an integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money and exchange of value. The Africa-focused company began in 2002 as a transaction switching and electronic payments processing company that builds and manages payment infrastructure and delivers innovative transaction services and payment products.
So far, the company has raised an impressive $1 billion in capital. Rumor has it that the company is set to IPO this year, after founder and chief executive Mitchell Elegbe announced last June that he was looking at an IPO in Lagos and London. However, there’s a chance that the company might hold off until the first quarter of 2017. The Financial Times reports that Dolapo Oni, head of energy research for sub-Saharan Africa at Ecobank, believes that the current funding environment will cause the company to wait.
This article was first published on March 24 on Technology Investing News.
Securities Disclosure: I, Morag Mcgreevey, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.


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Business advisory and corporate recovery firm Quantuma has saved 10 jobs after agreeing the sale of a Leicester-based fashion wholesaler that had fallen into administration.
Quantuma partners Andrew Andronikou and Simon Bonney had been appointed administrators at Rocco Fashion Ltd on 16 May.
The business, which designs and manufactures ladies clothing for high street retailers, was then sold to RB Fashion Limited, also based in Leicester.
All ten staff at Rocco have stayed in employment after their jobs were transferred to the new owner.
Mr Andronikou said: “A number of issues, including the downturn in the national retail market, impacted on Rocco Fashion Ltd with the result that cashflow was hit.
“But we were quickly in touch with a number of interested parties and are pleased that a sale has now been achieved to RB Fashion Ltd.”


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You Searched For "Petrol prices"
Petrol Prices Did Not Rise by Just 5% in Past Year as Petroleum Minister Claimed
Four major metropolitan areas in India recorded a rise in petrol prices by a minimum of 12% in the last one year, show official records
UP Minister Claims 95% Indians Don't Need Petrol, But Fuel Prices Affect All
UP Sports Minister Upendra Tiwari didn't factor in the fact that fuel price rise increases inflation, which then dents all sections of Indian economy


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Cheesecake lovers, pay attention: Hy-Vee has started a voluntary recall of several different varieties of their dessert due to Salmonella concerns.
The grocery chain says there are 32 varieties of their cheesecakes, in both 8- and 32-ounce packages.
Specifically, those affected have ‘use by’ dates of December 6, 2018 through January 11, 2019.
The cheesecakes come with a plastic cover.
To see a full list of affected UPC codes, click here.


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Posted: Sat 31st Aug 2019
The Small Business Social Media Summit in Bristol brought together founders building businesses through social media.
The event, which was run by Enterprise Nation as part of Social Media Week Bristol, featured entrepreneurs and experts sharing tips. These are our top takeaways from the day.
1. Get personal with your community
Before launching Quay Street Diner, founding team Ben Merrington and Jon Finch Key built American-style BBQ restaurant and festival business Grillstock through a relentless approach to marketing.
"It went from passion into something that built pretty quickly," Merrington reccounted. "Within a couple of years we were running a number of festivals. The biggest was 30,000 people."
They found that outsourcing social media didn't work out - "it wasn't personal enough, people can see through that," Merrington said.
Are your followers getting a sense of authenticity?
2. Running a personal blog to help build your brand
Bex Band, Enterprise Nation member and founder of adventure holiday company Love Her Wild, has built her blog to 14,000 visitors per month. It's become a key source of income, generating revenue through donation service Patreon, affiliate marketing and sponsored trips. Band believes it's important to make the concept behind your blog really clear.
"It's really important to ask yourself what you're an expert in. There's a lot to be gained from establishing yourself as an expert. I have two brands, the Love Her Wild adventure community and my own brand as an influencer. That's meant I could pitch myself as an expert," Band said.
She's built the blog without spending any money on marketing. Instead, she's relied on search engine optimisation and social media. One technique that's paid dividends is to answer questions related to posts on sites like Quora and then include a link.
3. Think about the themes and values of your posts
Band has benefitted from having a strong message behind her blog - she wants to make adventuring accessible - and recommends being as transparent and authentic as possible. There are three content themes within that overall mission statement.
Advice: when people go to Google they often looking for specific answers - "that's your money maker when it comes to traffic," added Band.
Personal blogs: share her own story to develop connections with her followers.
"I would advise you to not play it safe when it comes to writing opinion articles," Band added. "Dear adventurers, please stop pretending everyone can do this is one of my most popular posts. I got known after that and people started contacting me about it for quotes."
4. Influencer campaigns can make a big impact
Baby product manufacturer Rockit has sold 60,000 products in its first two years, with 25 distributors in 45 countries. User generated content has played a big role in its marketing strategy.
"We use micro-influencers a lot. Customers follow-up on that and it snowballs," founder and CEO Matt Dyson said. "We give distributors a percent of free products with the understanding they'll give it to influencers and other people."
5. Look at the different places customers leave reviews
Customers have more chances than ever to share feedback, whether it's a beautiful Instagram post or a rant on TripAdvisor.
It's helpful to see what people are saying on the different sites, Quay Street Dinner's Merrington said. The restaurant has jumped from 1,078 to the top 100 in Bristol since they opened and customer comments have helped them understand how people see the brand.
That said, Merrington acknowledged the difficulty of keeping on top of everything when there are so many sites for people to post on.
6. Get over the fear and do it!
"If someone said to me two years ago that I'd be going live every day, and on baby play Monday I can have 6,000 viewers, I'd say no way! This is a big deal sitting here. I can hold an assembly full of kids but adults are a different matter," she told the audience.
Russell built up to it by talking more and more and eventually turning the camera round on herself.


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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Pittsburgh-area produce wholesaler J.E. Corcoran Co. for failure to pay more than $2.5 million for produce.
Last April, the USDA filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act for the same amount, $2,521,981 owed to 41 sellers for 585 lots of produce from December 2014 to June 2016.
With this next step in the PACA enforcement process, J.E. Corcoran Co. is barred from the produce industry for two years, until Feb. 21, 2020. The company’s principals, Anthony Vivirito Jr., Anthony Vivirito and Linda Sasinoski are out of the industry for a year, until Feb. 21, 2019.
Produce companies seeking payment from J.E. Corcoran Co. include B&B Imports Inc. (sister company to Dave’s Specialty Imports), Growers Express and Tom Lange Co., according to court documents online.
J.E. Corcoran had been on Pittsburgh’s wholesale produce market for nearly 100 years, when redevelopment plans caused the company to move out of town to Crafton, Pa., in 2011, according to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.


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“Before we started there was no VR music company. It just didn’t exist,” reflects Anthony Matchett, founder and CEO of MelodyVR. Four years later, the London-based business is now the owner of the world’s largest library of virtual reality music content, has licence agreements in place with all three majors and a number of independents (Big Machine, Roc Nation) and has worked with over 650 international artists, including Post Malone, Wiz Khalifa, Blake Shelton, Kiss, The Chainsmokers, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Rag’n’Bone Man, The Who and Bloc Party.
Recent partnerships with Ibiza Rocks and British venues The O2 arena, Alexandra Palace, Arena Birmingham and Genting Arena have meanwhile brought its long-held plans to live stream concerts in VR a step closer to fruition, enabling music fans around the world to experience gigs direct from the comfort of their own home via the VR app on Oculus Go and Samsung Gear virtual reality headsets.
“More and more people are becoming aware of VR and things are definitely starting to hot up for us,” Matchett tells Billboard at a key point in the company’s history. In May the company raised £20 million in funds through a share listing. The same month saw the launch of its MelodyVR app in the U.K. and U.S. in conjunction with the release of Facebook’s much-heralded Oculus Go VR headset.
However, despite generating plenty of press coverage, mainstream adoption of VR technology is yet to significantly take hold. Matchett is confident that will soon change. “These sort of things don’t happen overnight,” he says, predicting a buoyant future for the potentially game-changing world of virtual reality music.
Billboard: It’s been six months since the initial launch of the MelodyVR app, which has since been rolled out to eight additional European countries. How has it performed?
Anthony Matchett: It’s been great. What we’re seeing now is that more people are getting Oculus Go [devices]. Our user numbers are increasing on a daily basis and its growing really quickly. As you would expect, we see more users on iPhone [using MelodyVR’s mobile teaser app] than in VR at the moment, but that gap is closing. One thing we have noticed is that when we have got amazing artists sharing content we have created on their social media channels, loads of their fans are really excited to get it. The problem is that they haven’t got a VR device yet. That is obviously a frustration, so we’re looking into developing an iPhone or Android version of our platform that can work with a very low-cost viewer bundled with content.
Are you frustrated by the slow take up of VR technology by consumers?
Oculus is doing an amazing job. They’ve launched a really high quality $200 device and VR sales outstripped the sales of iPhone in its first year. But as with all of these things, it takes time to get into people’s homes. I think the next 12 months should be really exciting. According to market research, we’re at around 50 million devices. By the end of 2021, it’s expected to be around 350 – 500 million. In the run up to Christmas, I think we’re going to see a lot more marketing around these devices to get them into more people’s hands.
What has the app taught you about how consumers interact with music VR?
The one resounding thing that we know is that music fans really love the unobtainable. That can be a number of different things, from being onstage with a band at The O2 to something as simple as being in the studio while an artist is recording an album. What we’re seeing from the data from the first few months of the platform is that the biggest artists – Post Malone, Imagine Dragons – all perform really well. But also we have content that performs really well because it is so unique. The London Symphony Orchestra is often in our top 5 on a weekly basis because it’s a really cool experience to sit in the middle of an orchestra and have them perform around you.
How long does the average user engage with the MelodyVR platform?
We have users who will be immersed in a concert and they will stay for the entire length of the show, whether that’s 80 minutes or two hours. We also have a lot of people who jump in for half an hour at a time. That 30-minute window is a really nice time for VR. You can jump into this new world, move through different viewpoints and really get a feeling for a gig.
How much content are you currently distributing on MelodyVR?
10-15 artists a month is our current rate. We might start to ramp that up slightly towards the end of the year, but right now that feels about right. We’re working with each unique artist’s fan base to make sure they get the best experience they can as opposed to dropping 100 artists tomorrow where it’s really noisy. We can find a lot more marketing support in terms of really targeted help to artist’s fan bases when it’s a smaller number per week.
An increasing amount of the content that you produce is no longer just concert related, but other forms of music performance. Is that an area that you’ll continue to invest in?
Absolutely. We’re about 50/50 at the moment. Whereas if we had this conversation 18 months ago, we’d be almost 100 percent focused on concerts. Our original content can be something really straight forward like an acoustic performance. Or it can be something really complex – a unique 3D world which can give a real journey into an artist’s vision and something that can be completely conceptual. We’re working with artists on crazy things at the moment like being in space, being in the past. When we talk to an artist and we talk about what can we make, it is a totally blank canvas.
When we can expect live concert streaming on MelodyVR to begin?
Later this year. Obviously in terms of what we do, the live experience is really key. It’s also important when a show is sold out to enable someone to have that experience in real time that they can’t otherwise have. They may live on the other side of the world or maybe they’re not old enough or can’t afford it. Giving people the ability to be onstage with a band and have the show happen in real time is really key to our future as a company. If we can also help make VR become a bit of a replacement for secondary ticketing then that’s a really good thing too. We’ve got about 75 different festival events and venue partners. What we’re trying to do is non-competitive with any other form of music. We don’t want people to stop streaming. We don’t want people to stop buying albums or going to gigs. We see ourselves as friends of the music industry and we’ll spend time with an artist, their management and label talking about how VR can help them build a deeper connection with fans.
You’ve previously talked about virtual reality providing rights holders with a brand new revenue stream. Are artists now beginning to see a financial return from VR?
Now we have launched we are generating revenue. In these early years, certainly the next 6 to 12 months, we’re likely going to spend more money on creating content than we’ll probably get back. We’re investing very heavily early on so that as the VR market develops we’re able to maintain this position as the ‘go to place’ to get music and VR. We’re certainly not slowing down. Although we’re seeing great numbers on the platform and we’re generating revenue for labels, artists and songwriters the likelihood is that we will probably spend a little bit more than we make in profit in the first year or two. That’s beneficial to the long-term growth for our business.
How do you see VR developing in the music space over the next five years?
As the tech gets cheaper, lighter, better, more ergonomic, VR devices are going to make it into more people’s homes. Have we found the absolute killer use case for music and VR right now? No. No one has. But that’s something that we try and achieve every single day. What is the most compelling experience that we can give to music fans that will absolutely blow their minds is something that we’re always trying to improve on. From a mainstream point of view, VR is six months old. So it’s blank canvas in terms of what can be created. Over the next five years I would hope that we’ll develop new formats, new exciting types of content and new experiences to wow fans. Right now we’re in Europe and the U.S. Up next is Australia and New Zealand and Canada. Following that parts of Asia. Beyond that we’ll look to every corner of the globe.


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Muriel Favaro has been named chief creative director of LeSportsac. She will lead the accessory brand’s overall creative direction and oversee design, marketing and public relations efforts.
Favaro, who will assume her post early next month, succeeds Elizabeth Kiester, who left the company.
Most recently, Favaro was design director for accessories at Tocca. She has also held posts including design director for both Kenneth Cole and Saks Fifth Avenue and senior designer at Kate Spade.
“I was looking to join a company with a true identity and I have always been a fan of LeSportsac,” said Favaro. “The brand has great, original designs and it’s always modern.”
Founded in 1974, LeSportsac offers accessibly priced collections of nylon handbags, travel totes, messenger bags and accessories. Known for its funky prints, the company has garnered recognition from the fashion community through its capsule collections with Stella McCartney and the Artist in Residence program, which features design collaborations with artists. The latest partnership is with B. Free, the tag name for Dutch artist Merijn Hos.
LeSportsac was purchased in 2005 by Brand Science, an affiliate of Accessories Network Group.
Favaro will report to Steve Jacaruso, president and chief operating officer of LeSportsac.
“We are pleased to bring Muriel’s energy and passion for design to LeSportsac,” said Jacaruso. “Her experience with men’s and women’s accessories makes her the right candidate for our company as we expand into a true lifestyle brand.”
London’s newly opened @designmuseum will look back on the life and work of Azzedine Alaïa in a show that the designer helped to curate before he died of heart failure last month. The retrospective, which Alaïa had worked on with Mark Wilson, chief curator of the @groningermuseum, will look at the impact of his work worldwide. The show, “Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier,” will run from May 10 to October 7. Read more about the exhibit on WWD.com #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @zefashioninsider)
@Pharrell and his wife Helen Lasichanh were among the stars that came out to celebrate @rimowa’s first pop-up concept shop. The space, which is located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, draws inspiration from airport luggage carousels and lounge areas – and features the company’s luggage and accessories. If the pop-up is successful it could pave the way for addition temporary shops throughout the world. #wwdfashion (📷: Owen Kolasinski/BFA)
@carineroitfeld celebrated @crfashionbook’s first calendar last night with a dinner party at Spring Place in Manhattan. Photographed by @stevenkleinstudio, the calendar takes on a fitness theme and features @joansmalls, @gigihadid, @danielle_herrington_ – pictured here – and more. “[Carine Roitfeld] wanted me to feel sexy and she wanted me to be myself and feel it out on my own and do what I felt was right,” said Herrington, aka Miss October. #wwdeye
@saintrecords and @virgilabloh last night at @americanexpress’ “A Night With Success Makers” event. “I always bring it back to community because without that I wouldn’t have the courage,” said Knowles when asked how she has gotten where she is now. Read more highlights from their conversation on WWD.com. #wwdeye (📷: @lizdoupnik)
This Just In: Industry sources have told WWD that Anastasia Soare is rumored to be considering selling her beauty business, @anastasiabeverlyhills. According to those sources, Soare has tapped investment bank Imperial Capital to explore sale options for her eponymous beauty brand –– and with at least $340 million in net sales, this would be a big deal. Put in context of other recent transactions for makeup companies, Soare’s price tag could be in the billions if she were to sell the whole thing. #wwdnews #wwdbeauty (📷: @clint_spaulding)
@assouline’s latest book, “The Spirit of Bentley: Be Extraordinary” captures the adventurous attitudes and opulent lifestyles of @bentleymotors’ most creative owners and enthusiasts throughout the U.K. The 292-page hardcover has a section dedicated to showing its team of skilled artisans and photos of its most colorful owners, from George Bamford to designer @alicetemperley, pictured here by Aline Coquelle. #wwdeye
@google released its report on the most popular search terms this year. For fashion brands, the list was led by @gucci, the luxury brand that stunned the market last October when it pledged to stop using fur. Runner ups were @supremenewyork and @fashionnova, along with more established brands like @louisvuitton, @chanelofficial and @ysl. #wwdfashion (📷: @aitorrosasphoto)
In yet another fashion show shuffle, @elleryland is moving its show in sync with the Paris couture calendar — though the brand is still keeping one foot on the city’s ready-to-wear schedule. Their runway show in January will coincide with the launch of a new strategy: designing two main collections each year instead of four, which will then be released in four drops. “As we all know, the system needs to change. We need to show sooner to give time back to artisans and designers to do what they do best — create,” said founder Kym Ellery. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @kukukuba)
@maxmara’s classic 101801 coat was the cornerstone of its pre-fall 2018 collection. The design team expanded the traditional double-breasted, kimono-sleeved style into a trapeze coat, lean belted styles and a peacoat and presented them in monochromatic looks – like the camel one pictured here. #wwdfashion #prefall18 (📷: George Chinsee)


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Go-Jek Lands Massive Payday in Recent Funding Round
Go-Jek might be well-described as the Indonesian Uber, if it weren’t for the inconvenient fact that Uber already has an Indonesian presence. It’s enough that they work in the same field, and a recent move should give Uber pause going forward. Go-Jek managed to raise a whopping $1.5 billion in a recent fundraising round, which is actually an amount larger than Go-Jek was looking to land.
The fundraising round in question featured a dozen investors, from BlackRock to Google, and gives Go-Jek the necessary resources to take on some of the greats in the field. Go-Jek was actually hoping to bring in $1.2 billion, which means the company raised about 25 percent more than it expected.
This puts it on par with some of the leaders in the field; the largest ride-hailing company in southeast Asia, Grab, weighs in at just over $6 billion, which means Go-Jek should be able to take on the established firms. Given that incentives for both drivers and customers are common in the region—they’re used mainly as a way to build loyalty on both ends—having extra cash in the war chest will go a long way toward providing those incentives.
It’s not just about big numbers, either; Go-Jek offers many other services to make it about more than catching a quick ride. It offers food delivery, logistics support and even payments. Since Go-Jek has effectively built a digital ecosystem—as noted by Forrester senior analyst Xiaofeng Wang—it’s an increasingly attractive proposition to its investors.
Best of all, Go-Jek is planning several expansions into other Indonesian cities, which means it will not only need that expanded cash flow, but it will also have a chance to make profit off that investment fairly soon. Ride-hailing is one of the greatest uses of mobile payments around—you get in the car, you pay for it from your phone, you go to your destination—and Go-Jek is poised to take full advantage of that development.
With its own mobile payments system, Go-Pay, in place and a big new slug of operating capital in its pocket, it’s a safe bet that Go-Jek will be one of the biggest names in Indonesia soon. Given that Indonesia is the fourth most populous nation on Earth, that could well be enough to make a business on.


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NFT Twitter is accusing the developers of Discord bot MEE6 of negligence. These accusations came shortly after an NFT Twitter detective noticed that NFT hackers were manipulating the MEE6 Discord bot to hack an alarming number of high-profile Discord servers.
Why is NFT Twitter accusing Discord bot developers?
According to on-chain analyst @NFTherder: “In May, 70 discords got exploited, including big projects like @RTFKT and @coolcatsnft. Even OpenSea’s official discord was breached! 26 of the 70 discords were compromised through the @mee6bot. MEE6 has yet to release a detailed report in response to the 26 breached servers.”
Other Discord users confirmed @NFTherder’s suspicions. “Inexcusable and unacceptable. They should take more responsibility here. “Whoops, sorry users” doesn’t cut it. Not for me at least,” commented @gartherly. @gryphonNFT pointed out that even popular online gaming platform Roblox had fallen victim to these attacks.
@NFTherder singled out the MEE6 Discord bot as problematic. This Discord plugin, used by over 18 million servers, allows users to assign roles themselves by using Discord reactions. It is also a basic moderator and can send administration messages.
Although it is clearly useful, NFT hackers have used this bot to send spam messages and pass malware links. Since the MEE6 bot is very popular, the Discord community widely trusts its messages. As a result, it enables NFT hackers to manipulate servers.
Undoubtedly, Discord security is a bone of contention in the NFT community. High-profile NFT Discord servers have fallen prey to hackers trying to exploit the popularity of NFTs. Clearly, Discord server owners need to amp up security to avoid such scandals.


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Welcome to News Center
News Center is a digital hub for Nielsen to break news, share content from our leaders and offer updates on our global operations in the media industry.
This fall’s hurricanes have wreaked havoc in the service areas of 26 Feeding America® food banks in five states. Historic flooding, power outages and collapsing infrastructure have devastated communities. In addition, according to Map the Meal Gap 2017, a study published by Feeding America...
Can marketers raise the quality of personalized experiences without access to an underlying identity layer? To answer that question, we recently teamed up with venture capital firm Revel Partners to host ‘The Future of Identity’ at the Nielsen Tech Hub.
We recently launched Nielsen Artificial Intelligence (Nielsen AI), an adaptive learning technology—built into the Nielsen Marketing Cloud—that automates audience model creation and optimization.


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The device is a simplified version of the Thronos seat released by the company a year ago. The new version is devoid of automatic transmissions, enabling personalized adjustments of the seat for each player.
The new device will serve as an excellent alternative to phones with flexible screens. The smartphone is called LG G8X ThinQ, and it was recently presented at the IFA 2019 consumer electronics trade show in Berlin.
The company has demonstrated the prototype of its augmented reality (AR) lightweight glasses for the military. Work on the device has been underway since 2017.
The device’s distinguishing feature is an advanced camera with a 6-fold zoom. The drone is a logical continuation of the last year's model, designed for underwater photography.
There has been public testing of SQ3D building printer recently. As part of the test, S-Squared 3D Printers has managed to print a residential building in just 12 hours.
British engineer Matthew Perks has found an unconventional application for an unserviceable display – the inventor has made a handy fluorescent lamp out of it.
To enjoy a motorbike ride, you need to come to age and get a driving license. However, the legendary motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson knows how to surprise not only brutal bikers, but also their kids.
The new model comes with two integrated cameras that can capture film and photos in 3D.
The growing focus on health and wellbeing together with technological progress lead to increased demand for various sports gadgets. This goes beyond regular fitness bracelets, with a wide range of different gadgets for any level of activity appearing on the market.
In the North, dogs are often used for transportation. This situation might change with the arrival of Chinese quadruped robots.
This spring witnessed presentation of the ADIFO smaller-sized version – a cross between a jet aircraft, a quadcopter and a helicopter. The story has now got a long-awaited continuation.
The company’s official YouTube channel has aired a short and very curious video announcement featuring a new device - the smartphone with three displays.


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There is no question if you ask the who’s who around the nation what boutiques are their favorite, the majority of them will mention A Ma Maniere. The chain of boutiques are owned by legendary streetwear mogul James Whitner. Earlier this year the boutique made headlines adding a new location in Houston and now they are back in the headlines with the recent announcement of a collaborative Air Force One. The collaboration sees a rendition of both a high and low pair of black Air Force Ones teased on James Whitner’s instagram
The sneaker seems to veer away from the traditional all leather material Nike utilizes typically on Air Force Ones and instead using a varied selection of materials. The sneakers have received the name “Hand Wash Cold” and have yet to receive a release date however stay tuned for a release date soon.


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Hundreds of fans have lined up at Apple stores to get their hands on the latest iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max which can cost up to £1,449.
Droves of iPhone fans queued outside the company’s UK flagship Regent Street store on Friday morning, hoping to be among the first to get their hands on the iPhone XS and XS Max, which chief executive Tim Cook unveiled earlier this month as Apple’s most-advanced iPhone yet.
There were also lengthy queues at stores in Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Dubai and Berlin among others.
Some of the first people to get their hands on the phones subjected them to ‘drop tests’ to check the handset’s durability.
Most customers pre-ordered their new handsets for collection ahead of the London store’s 8am opening, but about a dozen eager buyers without a reservation turned up to queue through cold and windy conditions on Thursday afternoon.
With the ability to pre-order and reserve a slot to collect the latest phones, fanfare at the Apple Store was less than earlier years of the iPhone, which saw hundreds of hopeful customers camping outside overnight.
“I just came really early, I was here at half past one in the afternoon,” explained the first customer to buy the handset.
“It’s completely sad but I needed an upgrade,” said a 19-year old student who also queued overnight.
“It’s gold, what’s not to love?” said another customer who participates in the ritual each year, waiting an hour in the pre-order queue.
“I always like to get a new bit of tech and flash it around the office a little bit.”
The XS and XS Max, which start from £999 and £1,099 respectively, have been available to pre-order for the past week but the XR – Apple’s cheapest new smartphone, at £749 – will not hit shelves until late October.
- [LLODO] California mother suspected of killing 3 kids ‘unwell’ for months, family member says; father ‘devastated’
- [LLODO] Armed naval officer reportedly kills himself after standoff in luxury Hawaii resort
- [LLODO] Florida woman who coughed on cancer patient sentenced to 30 days behind bars, mental health evaluation
- [LLODO] Baseball-sized hail threatens Alabama, tornado reported in Mississippi as severe storms hit South
- [LLODO] 11 suspects arrested in connection to Maryland child porn crimes
- [LLODO] Maryland Gov. Hogan calls Baltimore mayor’s plan to reduce police budget ‘reckless’
- [LLODO] Maryland Gov. Hogan vetoes bill that would do away with life-without-parole sentences for juveniles
- [LLODO] Florida hit-run kills NY federal judge, suspect claimed to be ‘Harry Potter’: police


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Windows Hello, a new face scanning security feature in Windows 10, has been defeated with the use of a printed out picture. ZDNet reports that security researchers from German firm SYSS have defeated Windows Hello on Windows 10 machines running older versions of the operating system. Multiple versions of Windows 10 are affected, and a number of different hardware.
SYSS tested Microsoft’s own Surface Pro 4 device running last year’s Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and found it was vulnerable. Even Microsoft’s anti-spoofing feature of Windows Hello didn’t help protect systems running older versions of Windows 10. SYSS found that if the anti-spoofing feature is disabled on the Creators Update (released earlier this year) or Fall Creators Update (released in October) then you can still bypass Windows Hello. Many modern laptops do not support the anti-spoofing feature of Windows Hello, so devices are still vulnerable even with the latest Windows updates.
Even applying the latest Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, that fixes the exploit if anti-spoofing is enabled, might not be enough to block the attack. Windows 10 users who previously set up Windows Hello on an older version of Windows 10 (like the Anniversary Update last year) will still be vulnerable. Security researchers are recommending that Windows 10 users with Windows Hello enabled go back into settings and setup the facial recognition again, and also ensure that anti-spoofing is enabled if a device supports it.
This type of attack does require a printed picture of the authenticated user with an infrared camera, so it’s not exactly easy to complete successfully. We’ve seen similar spoofing attacks for Samsung’s Galaxy S8 facial scanner which required far less sophisticated images. The Verge has reached out to Microsoft for comment on SYSS’ findings, and we’ll update you accordingly.
Update, 9AM ET: Article updated to make it clearer that some devices do not support the anti-spoofing feature of Windows Hello.


text: Macworld iOS 12: Apple makes fourth beta release available to public 2018-07-18T12:29:00.000000000-07:00 Updated 07/18/18: Apple has released the fourth beta to the public, a day after it was released to developers.Apple both sets trends and chases them, and iOS 12, unveiled Monday at the WWDC keynote, is no exception. With this release, Apple is focusing on performance improvements and enhancements... TaoTronics Active Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones are $25 off today 2018-07-18T09:33:00.000000000-07:00 Today, TaoTronics Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth HeadphonesRemove non-product link are on sale for $45 with the code 4TVHMY2G, down from a list price of $70.To read this article in full, please click here Snag last year's 128GB 9.7-inch iPad for $80 off at Walmart 2018-07-18T08:47:00.000000000-07:00 We’re big fans of the 2018 9.7-inch iPad, but last year’s model is no slouch, either—particularly if you have no plans to use the newly supported Apple Pencil. If you’d like to have a roomier model while saving some cash, Walmart is selling the 2017 128GB 9.7-inch iPad with Wi-Fi for just $349Rem... Chase away the post-Prime Day blues with these two awesome smart home deals 2018-07-18T06:48:00.000000000-07:00 Amazon’s Prime Day may be over, but all the discounts are not. So if you missed out on any of the smart home deals over the past 36 hours, we've got two more for you.The first is the Lutron Caseat Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit for $120 on AmazonRemove non-product link. We've s... Apple 15-inch 2.9GHz MacBook Pro review: A laptop that pro app users will love 2018-07-18T04:00:00.000000000-07:00 Since its introduction in 2016, the MacBook Pro as we know it today has produced mixed reactions from its users. People love the combination of size, weight, and performance. But there are legitimate issues that make people hesitate or even regret buying a MacBook Pro: keyboard problems, the need... How today’s Apple has thrown out its old rulebook 2018-07-18T03:00:00.000000000-07:00 When Steve Jobs came back to Apple in 1997, he didn’t like what he saw, so he set about changing the corporate culture. A decade later, one proof of his success was the fact that the company seemed to follow a rulebook, largely behaving with a consistency that allowed those of us who covered the ... Macworld's August Digital Magazine: First look at iOS 12 and macOS Mojave 2018-07-17T17:09:00.000000000-07:00 Every day, Macworld brings you the essential daily news and other info about all things Apple. But staying on top of that torrent of information can be a constant challenge. One solution: the Macworld digital magazine. In the August issue This month we have our first look at iOS 12 and macOS Moja... MacOS Mojave: Apple releases third public beta 2018-07-17T14:32:00.000000000-07:00 Apple next major revision to its Macintosh operating system is called macOS Mojave. The company revealed the update at its 2018 Worldwide Developers Conference in June, and it features several user interface improvements to make the experience on the Mac better.In this FAQ, we’ll give you the gen... MacBook Pro: Features, specifications, and prices for Apple’s high-end laptop 2018-07-17T12:00:00.000000000-07:00 The MacBook Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-line laptop. It offers top-notch performance for demanding users who need processing power and are willing to spend top dollar for it.The current version of the MacBook Pro was released in July 2018. The new laptops have the same design as the previous versio... Best home security camera: Keep an eye on the home front 2018-07-17T11:50:00.000000000-07:00 A boom in wireless security cameras is inspiring a movement in DIY home surveillance. Follow our buying guide and read our reviews to find the best option for you.


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The Democrats’ beloved Green New Deal proposal is still in the “just a vision” phase, but it looks like part of it might soon kick in for some in Illinois:
A proposed hike in Illinois’ annual registration fee for electric vehicles — from $17.50 to $1,000 — is being called unfair by current EV owners. https://t.co/bYP2QRn5R8
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) May 10, 2019
From the Chicago Tribune:
A proposed hike in Illinois’ annual registration fee for electric vehicles, from $17.50 to $1,000, is being called unfair by current EV owners, and a sales disincentive by manufacturers — just as the new technology is beginning to gain broader traction.
“It’s outrageous,” said Nicoletta Skarlatos, 56, of Chicago, who bought a Tesla Model S five years ago. “I thought Illinois was progressive and would want to encourage EV ownership.”
“The proposed fee increase is way too high,” Chilsen said. “It’s punitive, it’s unfair and it goes against Illinois’ transportation trends and needs. It won’t be long before we’re all driving in an EV world — out of necessity. We need EVs, not only to reduce pollution but also to keep down our personal driving costs and the costs of the power grid.”
If people think “going green” means saving money, they sure are in for a rude awakening.
Hey, EV owners have to pay their fair share for progress too. https://t.co/Zg1VSFnKnV
— BT (@back_ttys) May 10, 2019
The Left taxing the Left. Great concept! https://t.co/Yv3f1h0W7J
— Rob Stark (@starkrob21) May 10, 2019
Oh dear. EV fans just realized they have to pay for the roads too.
— ScriabinEtudes (@NicholasRSwart) May 10, 2019
Lesson here is … never involve yourself in an obvious racket. https://t.co/HVwBpAciem
— Lee Thompson ⭐⭐⭐ (@SlidinDelta) May 10, 2019
There’s a lede that the media will probably not go with, and that’s “Democrats who bought $75,000 cars with help of big taxpayer subsidies are complaining about a proposed tax increase that would affect them.”
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The release of Intel's new-generation processor has generated enormous worldwide interest, due in no small part to Intel's unprecedented marketing campaign. ARN's James Niccolai weighs the benefits against the hype.
At a preview event to help launch its upcoming Pentium III processor, Intel was joined by a legion of software, hardware and content providers that have optimised products to take advantage of enhanced multimedia capabilities in the new chip.
Software makers Lotus, Microsoft and Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products, PC manufacturer Compaq and content providers Bloomberg and Excite were among more than 200 companies on hand to help Intel plug its new chip.
"Whether you're a consumer, a small business or a big business, the Pentium III will bring some capabilities that you haven't had before, and make the Pentium III user's experience a better one," said Craig Barrett, Intel's president and CEO.
By staging the event - the biggest of its kind Intel has ever attempted - the chip maker hoped to drive demand in advance of the official release of its processor on February 28. Initially the processor will appear only in high performance - and therefore more expensive - systems. Over time the Pentium III will replace the Pentium II at all price points, much as the Pentium II has replaced the Pentium MMX.
"I think you'll see Pentium III machines launched at under $US2000 and coming down into the mainstream over time," said Paul Otellini, vice president and general manager of Intel's Intel Architecture business group.
Launching the Pentium III has already proved to be problematic for Intel, in part because of its plans to include an individual identification number into the circuitry of each chip. While Intel and its partners say the unique ID number will help enhance security, critics, including consumer rights advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union, have said it will provide online marketers, as well as more unscrupulous people, with a way to track users' movements on the Internet.
Intel officials have sought to downplay those fears. The company will "strongly advise" PC makers to ship their systems with the ID number disabled, Intel vice president Mike Aymar said. The company has also said it has developed a software program for Windows that allows users to turn the ID number on and off at will.
"The privacy groups have a very specific agenda -- they believe that any number that identifies you is bad. That's their fundamental belief, but it's not our position," Aymar said.
The Pentium III will debut at 450MHz and 500MHz, with a 550MHz version to follow in the second quarter, Barrett said. Next month, the company will officially launch a version of the chip for servers and workstations, called the Pentium III Xeon. The Xeon chip will also debut at 450MHz and 500MHz, with a 550MHz version following in April, officials said.
Perhaps more important than the speed, the Pentium III includes a set of some 70 new processor instructions known as the Katmai New Instructions (KNI), which Intel says help its processor handle applications that feature speech, graphics, audio and video. Software and content makers can write applications that take advantage of those additional instructions.
The Pentium III will provide users with richer Internet experience even using standard analog modems, and thus help drive growth of electronic commerce and other online services, Barrett said.
To illustrate, he showed a Web site developed by online shopping store The Sharper Image, which made extensive use of 3D graphics. Using the mouse pointer, users can rotate and turn a 3D image of a product they might want to buy. "The important thing here is the richness of information you can get," he said.
Meanwhile, Excite has developed a 3D version of its search engine which presents search results in a series of 3D carousels spread about the screen. Users can rotate the carousels using the mouse pointer and click to open files.
While much of the Internet content shown wasn't greatly different from anything shown at other events, what was special, Barrett said, is the quality of content that users can get with the Pentium III over a standard 56Kbps modem. With xDSL and other high-bandwidth technologies, the quality improves more, he said.
Intel has also shored up support from makers of business software. Since the Pentium III will be available initially only in pricey, high-performance desktops, analysts have said it will be important for Intel to attract business customers to help drive sales of its new chip.
IBM said it has optimised its ViaVoice product to work better with the Pentium III. The speech recognition program has been integrated with Lotus's SmartSuite Millennium Edition to allow users to operate applications like the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet and the FastSite intranet publishing software using voice commands.
Meanwhile Network Associates said its Gauntlet Active Firewall software uses the identification number stamped into the circuitry of the Pentium III to identify networked devices and trigger alerts to network managers if there is a problem.
Intel has also made an effort to reach out to international computing firms to broaden demand for its product. Chinese PC maker Legend was on hand to show a Pentium III system it will offer in China. Meanwhile, German software maker Brokat Infosystems AG said its Twister middleware product, used by businesses to help deploy e-commerce systems, takes advantage of the serial number to help authorise transactions.
When Intel launches the Pentium III later this month, it will be accompanied by the biggest marketing blitz the company has launched yet, which will cost around $US300 million, Barrett said.
Like the Pentium II, the new chip initially will sport a 100MHz front side bus - the bus speed determines how fast the processor communicates with other parts of a PC system, affecting overall system performance. Later in the year the chip maker plans to crank the speed of the Pentium II up to 600MHz and above, and will increase the front side bus speed to 133MHz, Otellini said.
Increased memory bandwidth
The company also plans to introduce support for the Direct Rambus interface technology, which promises to sharply increase the memory bandwidth in PCs and further boost performance, Otellini said.
Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices already has a similar multimedia-enhancing technology - known as 3D!Now - in its existing K6-2 processors. Analysts have said Intel's KNI may be slightly superior to AMD's 3D!Now for running certain types of applications, but Intel initially will offer KNI only in its highest performance chips, while AMD has been offering 3D!Now across its product line for some time.
Intel has no plans to include the Katmai New Instructions in its Celeron family of processors, designed for low-end PCs, before the end of 1999, Otellini said.
Intel blew it on privacy, but needs remainby Dan GillmorIntel set off a privacy firestorm with its recent announcement that it would embed network-trackable serial numbers into its new Pentium III chips. The company promoted the idea as a fine way to enhance electronic-commerce security, but privacy advocates focused on its Big Brotherish aspects.
Intel has dug itself a hole with this plan and has shown again that major American companies are amazingly tone-deaf when it comes to understanding regular people and their worries. The chip-making giant could have made a better case if it had focused on the serial-number notion in large enterprises, where keeping tabs on information-technology assets is a serious chore. IT, in fact, should be thrilled with the scheme.
IT has long had a way to track computers and other equipment. Ethernet nodes have ID numbers, after all. And there are identifiers in workstations from companies such as Sun and Hewlett-Packard. Again, this makes sense in the enterprise. But it's a red flag for consumers, who want privacy and security. Intel is telling us we can't have both. That's bull, and Intel knows it.
At least Intel backed off from its original stance, by making the default condition for the serial numbers to be "off". Computer users will have to turn them on before the network can query them. Perhaps, as one cynic suggested, this was the company's long-planned fallback position, though I suspect Intel was genuinely surprised by the reaction.
But as critics have noted, the ID scheme has some fundamental flaws. "The basic problem is there's no secure way of querying the number, so you have no verification the number is accurate," cryptography expert Bruce Schneier said last week.
IT will come under pressure from marketing in many enterprises that have Web presences or sell products online.
The pressure will be to force customers to turn on their chip IDs so they can transact business. If you do, be prepared for trouble. The same organisations that are promising to boycott computers using the Pentium III will likely look askance at companies that use the IDs.
One of the chief ironies in this brouhaha is the setting for Intel's announcement: the annual RSA Data Security Conference, held last month in San Jose, California. The initials RSA stand for a technique for public-key encryption.
Public-key cryptography provides an extremely safe way to send information plus a way to verify who sent it. A robust public-key infrastructure would do more for electronic commerce than all the chip serial numbers, but law-enforcement agencies don't want strong cryptography to become ubiquitous because they fear criminals could shield their communications more easily.
IT will do us all a favour by using the Pentium III serial numbers internally only and pushing hard for the public-key infrastructure everywhere. That, not Big Brotherism, is the way to achieve security and privacy.


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The Coronavirus is likely to wipe off 95 per cent of February’s GGR in Macau with a strong likelihood that the 15-day closure will be extended until the end of the month.
Sanford Bernstein analysts Vitaly Umansky, Eunice Lee and Kelsey Zhu said: “Forecasts for the near term (i.e. 1H 2020) are largely guesses at this time, with the biggest variables being when casinos reopen, and even more importantly, when travel restrictions from China will be lifted. We estimate February to be down over 95 per cent, assuming the casinos stay closed for the rest of the month. China has put in travel restrictions across much of the country and many businesses remain closed or reduced working hours. A growing number of countries have been implementing travel restrictions on entrants coming from China and airlines are significantly reducing or eliminating scheduled flights. China stopped all group travel (including to Macau) and stopped the issuance of IVS visas – the reversal of these restrictions will be key for resumption of business in Macau.”
“For Macau, the near term looks bleak,” they added, “but we see a solid recovery in place in 2H followed by a strong 2021.”


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Beyond consumer convenience: Overcoming urgent environmental and health issues through resealable food packaging
Food brands and manufacturers have a duty to reduce food and plastic waste, and realise healthy eating. Resealable packaging achieves both goals
6 Apr 2020
Much is said today about the convenience of resealable food packaging to consumers, and how the many types of options on the market are enhancing the shelf life of food. Studies find that 81% of consumers prefer resealable packaging over fixed options, with 54% prepared to pay more for it. They also highlight a raft of benefits to retailers, food manufacturers and consumers, including less food and plastic waste, and reduced spending by consumers.
Yet despite high demand from consumers, uptake by food brands and manufacturers remains low. In 2019, the global closed bag market, which includes resealable food packaging, was valued at about US$177 million — a mere 0.5% of the global food packaging market that was valued at about US$302 billion during the same year. While market analysts predict robust growth of the resealable food packaging sector in future, fixed options will grow significantly more.
In Asia Pacific, for example, the resealable food packaging sector is expected to grow by 3.5% annually during the first five years of this decade. However, food demand will grow by 15% annually during a similar timeframe. As the amount of fixed packaging being produced rapidly rises, the challenges associated with this growth will worsen.
About one-third of food produced for human consumption is wasted annually, with up to 80% of this generated at the consumer level. Presently, the world wastes 1.6 billion tons of food, with this figure rising to 2.1 billion by 2030. Within 10 years, the world will spend US$1.5 trillion on food, which it will not use nor recycle.
Excessive volumes of food waste is accompanied by humongous amounts of plastic waste. Currently, of the 78 million tons of plastic food packaging that is produced globally each year, only 14% (11 million tons) is recycled, with 11.5% (nine million tons) of it discarded into the Earth’s oceans. With food production tipped to double during the next decade, this is a challenge food businesses cannot ignore.
Fortunately, many of the foods that become waste at the consumer level can benefit from resealable packaging: Currently, 30% of cereals are discarded, as are 20% of dairy products, and 45% of fruit and vegetables including nuts. Packaging-related food waste today comprises up to one-quarter of total household food waste. A 25% uptake in use of resealable options could lead to food and plastic wastes falling by 400 million tons and 20 million tons respectively each year, and consumers saving US$375 billion annually.
There is also an opportunity to further reduce plastic consumption within the resealable food packaging market: Finger-lift tape, for instance, uses 90% less plastic than zippers.
Fixed food packaging is exacerbating numerous health issues. Since 1975, for example, obesity has almost tripped, with one-in-10 people classed as obese today. In Asia, up to 60% of the population are considered overweight or obese. Presently, more people die from being overweight and obese than being underweight.
Resealable food packaging plays an essential role in portion control. On one hand, it helps tackle rising obesity by prompting consumers to eat in moderation, rather than consume an entire packet of food; and on the other hand, it can support millennials who want to eat more healthily than older generations, preferring foods such as fruit- and vegetable-based products, which are sold in resealable pouches and can be eaten on-the-go.
Resealable food packaging also spurs greater hygiene. Consumers do not have to move food from one packet to another, or from a packet to a plastic container, where during this process residue is transferred to human hands and surfaces, which if left unattended spreads harmful bacteria and creates health risks.
While the business, environmental and health cases for resealable food packaging are compelling, food brands and manufacturers are challenged to make the switch.
A foremost concern is the potential brand damage caused by altering product appearance. However, resealable packaging usually has minimal disruption on the look and feel of packets. Finger-lift tape, for example, can be transparent or in the colour of the brand. In addition, research finds that products, which feature a resealable option are perceived to be of higher quality than rivals that use fixed packets.
Food brands and manufacturers are also wary that such new features will interfere with packet production, and that they will affect food contents. Yet many resealable options impact neither, as machines that fix resealable tape to product packets can easily be integrated within pre-existing assembly lines.
Retailers are understandably concerned about the high costs associated with relaunching a new product or feature. However, with demand for resealable food packaging rife among consumers, such companies will probably gain by switching from fixed options. There is also the added benefit of showcasing a brand for an extended period of time, as packets are resealed and handled on multiple occasions.
The global food industry is at an inflection point. It will need to double the amount of food it produces within 10 years, and must simultaneously help reduce volumes of food and plastic waste, which if left unchecked will spiral out of control. The industry also has the responsibility of ensuring that society is healthy — both in terms of the amount of food that people eat, and by encouraging food to be handled hygienically.
Resealable packaging can meet these diverse and pressing needs on a global scale. As a worldwide manufacturer of adhesive products and solutions, tesa® has a rich history of helping the food industry capitalise on consumer demand for resealable packaging, while simultaneously promoting good health and environmental stewardship. Founded more than 125 years ago, the company is a proud member of that United Nations Global Contact, a pact committed to promoting sustainable and socially responsible business practices.
To enquire about our resealable food packaging solutions, drop us an enquiry below or reach us at +65 6697 9888.


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France orders Apple to pull iPhone 12 off shelves for high radiation levels
Apple is combating France’s claims that the iPhone 12 surpasses European radiation publicity limits after French regulators on Tuesday ordered a pause on gross sales and a repair to telephones already offered to clients.
France’s Nationwide Frequency Company mentioned it “has demanded that Apple withdraw the iPhone 12 from the French market, efficient 12 September 2023, as measures present the precise absorption price exceeds the set limits.” The company mentioned the iPhone 12 just isn’t compliant with European Union rules.
“Apple should instantly undertake all needed measures to stop the iPhone 12 within the provide chain from being made out there in the marketplace,” ANFR added.
Disputing the company’s claims, Apple mentioned it had already given the company a number of lab outcomes performed by the corporate and impartial third events that confirmed the gadget’s compliance with related SAR rules and international requirements.
Cyril Marcilhacy/Bloomberg/Getty Photos
Prospects exit an Apple Inc. retailer within the Opera district in Paris, France, on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
The corporate mentioned it was contesting the AFNR’s assessment outcomes and would proceed to work with the company to exhibit the cellphone’s compliance.
SAR is a measure of the speed of power absorption by the physique from the supply being measured, in accordance to the ANFR. However specialists and regulators typically say not to fear.
“To this point, and after a lot analysis carried out, no adversarial well being impact has been causally linked with publicity to wi-fi applied sciences,” in accordance to the World Well being Group. “Supplied that the general publicity stays beneath worldwide pointers, no penalties for public well being are anticipated.”
ANFR dominated that for iPhone 12s already in use, Apple “should undertake all needed corrective measures to carry the telephones into conformity as quickly as potential, in any other case, Apple can have to recall the gear.”
The measure was efficient from Tuesday, with the regulator including it might make sure the product is now not supplied for sale in all distribution channels in France from that day.
France’s Minister for the Digital Economic system Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed in a tweet that iPhone 12 gross sales are “halted in France till Apple presents an replace for all affected units.”
“The @anfr discovered that the iPhone 12 was emitting a stage of waves barely larger than the licensed threshold,” Barrot wrote in one other tweet, translated from French. “This stage is greater than 10 instances decrease than the extent at which there could possibly be a well being danger.”
The announcement got here as Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional, Apple’s latest iteration of its iconic product, at its annual keynote occasion in California on Tuesday.


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Electronic manufacturing major Dixon Technologies announced firm plans to diversify into laptop and tablet manufacturing, eyeing commencement of production in the second half of 2024.
The Noida-based company has finalized partnerships with global brands including Lenovo and Asus for local assembly of their laptop models in India.
“The new contracts for notebooks, laptops that we have signed with some large global brands, we are targeting to start production in August, September,” confirmed Atul Lall, Managing Director, Dixon Technologies, during the company’s latest earnings call.
The timeline indicates that Dixon will kickstart laptop production within the next 6-8 months after completing necessary product approvals and trials. The company will manufacture Lenovo laptops and tablets at its existing facility in Noida which already handles smartphones and other electronics.
The segment has seen volatile policy shifts over the last couple of years. After announcing specific incentives under India’s PLI scheme to encourage domestic laptop and tablet production to reduce imports, the government later rolled back the decision.
However, the latest Union Budget restored some benefits for IT hardware companies under a modified structure. Dixon is looking to capitalize on these opportunities.
Meanwhle, tablet production — such as for client Lenovo — will commence in the current quarter itself, Dixon said.
Earlier, Dixon had managed to secure approvals under the Union government’s modified IT hardware production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, committing investments worth INR 250 crores.
Dixon traditionally gets most of its revenue from consumer electronics and home appliances. Over the last two years, its growth has been driven by the smartphone segment, where it has won clients like Motorola and Xiaomi.
However, growth in the traditional consumer electronics segment has started flagging.
For example, in the just-concluded December quarter, Dixon managed to eke out a revenue increase of just 8% in the TV segment, shipping over 4 lakh units, despite new initiatives.
“We have rolled out India’s first ODM-based Google TV solutions from Google in the quarter under review and we’re getting an encouraging response with some of the brands already taking the solution,” said Atul Lall, MD of Dixon.
It has also partnered with Samsung for their Tizen OS to expand smart TV offerings for domestic brands. Dixon enabled manufacturing of interactive flat panel displays and expects healthier margins and order flow in coming quarters.
On the home appliances front, Dixon’s washing machine volumes grew 35% YoY to over 4 lakh units. Its new facility in Dehradun is ready for mass production across various categories.
With strong backward integration efforts, Dixon has established in-house manufacturing for most mechanical parts and tools needed for appliance production.
Senior leadership reiterated that Dixon continues to diversify product mix and drive scale as part of its long-term strategy across both these business segments.
Besides IT hardware, Dixon is also targeting opportunities in industrial electronics and power controllers for global markets under its EMS practice.
“We are getting opportunities in higher value-added business, mainly for global markets…discussions are happening with some customers,” said Lall.
By leveraging its existing capabilities and establishing credentials with top international buyers, Dixon aims to build its export revenues in completely new territories in the next couple of years.
Given the government incentives for local value addition and China+1 realignment, Dixon seems well-poised to diversify while catering to global demand through India.


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As part of Holts Tyreweld’s CSI initiative in South Africa, Holts announced that their Tyreweld product will be PINK going forward for the rest of 2016.Read More
Holts have partnered with PinkDrive and are delighted to announce that their aim is to donate up to R1,500,000.00 to PinkDrive, via this campaign.
Chris May, Holts Business Development Director – International, says that Holts, through the Tyreweld campaign, will donate R5.00 per unit sold to PinkDrive. “We believe that Tyreweld is the perfect match for PinkDrive as our product is all about prevention and making sure that the individual can get to a safe place and not be stranded next to the road. The synergy lies in prevention”.
PoolBrite is showing their support towards the fight against breast cancer by donating generously from each Pink Head Pool Floater sold, to PinkDrive.Read More
Gary Freer, Marketing Manager of PoolBrite South Africa explains that this donation comes from a sincere place in order to assist PinkDrive to keep their mobile mammography and educational units on the road. Freer also explains that it’s simple, ”Early Detection Saves Lives” and PoolBrite is pleased that they are able to aid PinkDrive by providing much needed funds in order for PinkDrive to provide free cancer screening to women in disadvantaged communities in SA. “This is a very worthy and essential cause which we are proud to be part of”, Freer adds.
Consumers can purchase the the pink pool floater at most local supermarkets.
Our stands at expos for 2016 are proudly sponsored by Scan Display. Scan Display’s high quality of stand building makes PinkDrive’s presence at expo’s visible.


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Anthony Wood, the founder and CEO of Roku, is opening up about what the new streaming services HBO Max and Peacock are still not being offered on the platform.
HBO Max launched on May 27 and Peacock launched to the general public on July 15, but you can’t stream them on a Roku still.
“Our platform is open to these services on very reasonable terms,” Anthony told Variety. “All of their main competitors are available on the Roku platform. Fair and reasonable content distribution deals are how we finance the low-cost easy-to-use Roku platform that consumers use to access these services on their TVs.”
The Variety report says that Roku’s “standard ask is 20% of subscription fees and 30% of ad inventory on partner channels.”
WarnerMedia reportedly wants to remove the standalone HBO service from The Roku Channel and have HBO Max as the only option available, which Roku does not support. Peacock only has 5 minutes or less of advertising per hour, so they don’t accept the ad split terms.
Source: Read Full Article


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Driving relevance means driving growth. Join global brands and industry thought leaders at Brandweek, Sept. 11–14 in Miami, for actionable takeaways to better your marketing. 50% off passes ends April 10.
CANNES, France—Snapchat, already one of the most visible brands at this year’s Cannes Lions thanks to its towering Ferris wheel at the festival’s entrance, is also catching the eye of jurors for the design of its Snap Spectacles.
The wearable today won three gold Lions, with two in Product Design and one in Design. It also won Design bronze, along with a silver and bronze from the Mobile jury earlier in the week.