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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A display screen shows the corporate brand of Uber Technologies Inc on the day of its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., May 10, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
By Rithika Krishna
(Reuters) -Uber Technologies Inc will permit customers in Ontario, Canada, to put orders for cannabis on its Uber (NYSE:) Eats app, marking the ride-hailing large’s foray into the booming enterprise, an organization spokesperson stated on Monday.
Uber Eats will checklist cannabis retailer Tokyo Smoke on its market on Monday, following which clients can place orders from the Uber Eats app after which choose it up at their nearest Tokyo Smoke retailer, the spokesperson stated.
Uber, which already delivers liquor by means of its Eats unit, has had its sights set on the burgeoning cannabis market for a while now. Its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi advised media https://cnb.cx/3HL1R5I in April the corporate will take into account delivering cannabis when the authorized coast is evident in the United States.
With greater than three years into Canada’s legalisation of leisure cannabis, the nation is making an attempt to repair its ailing pot market, the place unlawful producers nonetheless management a big share of complete annual gross sales.
The partnership will assist Canadian adults buy secure, authorized cannabis, serving to fight the underground unlawful market which nonetheless accounts for over 40% of all non-medical cannabis gross sales nationally, Uber stated on Monday.
Global cannabis shares tracker MJ ETF climbed 2%, whereas Uber’s shares have been up 1.2% at $44.78 in premarket buying and selling.
Cannabis gross sales in Canada will complete $4 billion in 2021 and are forecast to develop to $6.7 billion in 2026, in line with information from trade analysis agency BDS Analytics.
Asked about the opportunity of enlargement into different Canadian provinces, or in the United States, an Uber spokesperson stated there’s “nothing more to share at this time”.
“We will continue to watch regulations and opportunities closely market by market. And as local and federal laws evolve, we will explore opportunities with merchants who operate in other regions,” the Uber spokesperson advised Reuters.
Last 12 months’s pandemic-induced stricter mandates and lockdowns spurred demand for cannabis-related merchandise from clients who have been caught at residence with restricted leisure choices.
Fusion Media or anybody concerned with Fusion Media is not going to settle for any legal responsibility for loss or harm on account of reliance on the data together with information, quotes, charts and purchase/promote alerts contained inside this web site. Please be absolutely knowledgeable concerning the dangers and prices related with buying and selling the monetary markets, it is among the riskiest funding varieties attainable.


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Us chamber submission edpb supplementary measures final
December 18, 2020
The continued flow of personal information from Europe is essential to Europe’s competitiveness and connectivity to the global economy, as well as to research that is critical to fighting and recovering from the current pandemic. Given the legal questions raised by the Court of Justice’s (“Court”) decision in case C-311/18, the Chamber welcomes efforts by the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) aimed at enabling businesses to continue transferring EU personal information with confidence and in compliance with European law. In this respect, we thank the EDPB for granting our November 12 request to extend its public consultation period.
Unfortunately, the Recommendations, as written, fail to provide businesses with a realistic way forward on international data transfers. The EDPB’s proposed measures are unworkable in practice, go beyond the requirements laid out by the Court, and are inconsistent with the General Data Protection Regulation’s (“GDPR”) risk-based approach to data privacy. If the Recommendations are implemented and enforced as written, the EDPB will effectively cut Europe off from the rest of the digital world and erect formidable barriers to cross-border trade and investment, without enhancing the privacy of European citizens.
We urge the EDPB to fundamentally reconsider its proposals. It should embrace a risk-based approach that enables enterprises to choose supplementary measures that are appropriate to the contexts of their data transfers. Such an approach would remain consistent with the Court’s decision and the GDPR and should be coordinated with the European Commission’s new standard contractual clauses (“SCCs”). We further recommend that the EDPB include a transition period that allows for enterprises to adjust their business arrangements to comply with the new requirements. Given the economic and social challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the EDPB must avoid creating unneeded disruptions to cross-border commerce. Our comments and recommendations are attached.

domain: news


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A major auction recently ended and the prototype offered by Sony and Microsoft found a new owner. The highest bid is quite impressive.
There was a time when Sony and Microsoft weren't competitors, they were worked together on a console. However, only 200 of this prototype were made and the console itself never appeared on the market in the end. A father-son team from the United States could until recently be the proud owner of such a prototype, but now the two have found a new owner.
The well-preserved prototype was auctioned for a whopping $ 360,000. and will be shipped to its new owner shortly. What exactly happens to it is uncertain. Maybe the console can soon be viewed in a museum or at exhibitions.
Original post on December 22, 2019 at 10:05 a.m .:
One of the last Nintendo PlayStation prototypes will be auctioned in February
In total there were just 200 prototypes of the PlayStation. This is basically an assembly of Super Nintendo and a CD-ROM drive – a collaboration between Sony and Nintendo. Now one of the last copies will be auctioned shortly.
Once Sony and Nintendo agreed on their joint project, the PlayStation would actually have appeared as a hybrid. Cartridges and CDs could have been started with the console. In 1991, however, this project was put on hold and both companies went their own way. 200 of these prototypes have been in circulation since then.
In 2015, a son found one of these pieces of jewelry among his father's belongings. This had once bought the console. Together the team exhibited the piece on different expos, but traveling tore a big hole in the pockets. The team has so far refused high bids, but now it is time to let go. Because of this, the console auctioned in March 2020.
There are many consoles, but a few of them are very special.
The market determines the price
A father and son have already rejected a bid of around $ 1.2 million from Norway. After the taxes withheld, the sharing with his son and the payment of his debts, there was nothing left of it, he said Kotaku. Heritage Auctions, one of the most famous auction houses worldwide, is holding the auction.
“It will definitely sell and the market determines the price. In the case of this particular item, it is difficult to predict anything, ”says Herite's employee Valerie McLeckie.


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Last week, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) officially opened its doors for the first time in Melbourne, welcoming fans to its brand-new base in Glen Waverley, Melbourne.
While lockdowns initially threw a spanner into Huawei’s rapid expansion plans in Australia, the tech giant settled on the perfect spot late last year, bringing the tally of Huawei stores in Australia to a total of four, including its three Sydney stores.
Dickson Yang, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business in Australia, said Huawei has ambitious long-term goals in Australia, with plans to see more store openings across the country.
“The objective has always been to grow our presence in Australia, but due to the pandemic, our expansion was slightly stunted but now that the future looks bright, we are looking to expand into other states if there are no major disruptions.
With 40 innovative and high-tech PC, audio, and wearable products available to touch, try and buy; the brand-new store located within The Glen Shopping Centre, will quench the thirst of tech-loving Melburnians.
“Huawei listens to our consumers and we want to make our market-leading products easily accessible to all Australians who value innovative technology, and we are excited to be bringing this experience to Melbourne consumers.” said Yang.
Huawei’s products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world’s population.


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No business proceeds for being Harmless inside the disruption with the Covid-19 pandemic. For just a number of, it might verify just A short stressor which they will in the end change before. But for the entire environment of tv and delight, the financial shutdown is hastening an unsettling inevitability: a long term change in how we glance at and buy information.The seismic adjustments that commenced shaking up Hollywood currently intensified during the months and months major up to your coronavirus outbreak. The meteoric rise of Netflix Inc. amazed copycat alternatives which were being starting to spring up with the normal media stalwarts. Studios and cable programmers needed to transform some of their focus to streaming purposes, clear of theaters and regular Tv audiences. The box Business Business office was Earlier displaying indications of hassle, elevating questions about the lengthy-expression relevance and viability of movie-theater chains. (In fact, Netflix’s profits surpassed yearly U.S. cinema ticket sales way back.) And even though industry giants which contain Walt Disney Co. have been getting obtaining greater, the weak have been acquiring weaker.
Considering that the outbreak, these tendencies have kicked into increased products, revealing power specifics all with the sector. Sometimes, the U.S. shutdown is just fueling way more of what was presently going on. But in other tactics, the pandemic provides new threats: Theaters are closed, and at the time they reopen there may be a reluctance to Visit the films that outlasts this virus. At any given time when consumers are streaming from שגיב קורן home above at any time, new substance can also’t get created. Market mergers and succession tactics are now being thrown into disarray throughout the media conglomerates, exactly where a money tension is getting put on aged responsible enterprise organization versions that were assisting to fund their enlargement into streaming. Now People streaming companies are more and more being set into a test they hadn’t confronted previous to, with more people glued for their smartphones, craving for an escape from fact Which might be just as conveniently fulfilled by thoroughly free of charge client-established penned material located on social-media purposes.
In case the nation does enter a deep financial downturn, outdated-college cable-Television set specials will glance all the more dispensable than they now did specified The dearth of Stay sports activities activities presently (the costliest factor of one’s cable Regular monthly Monthly bill) moreover the proliferation of A lot more affordable streaming alternatives. However it’s the bank card personal debt-laden cinema chains which have in essence one of the most to stress and anxiety if they get rid of leverage more than their sacred theatrical Home windows. Studios have location some impending film releases — for example the most well liked “Rapidly combined with the Furious” and likewise the Live-motion remake of “Mulan” — on maintain. Not all are awaiting cinemas to reopen, Despite the fact that. “Trolls Environment Tour” went straight to electronic for relations ready to spend back again the steep $twenty on-need charter fee.
Even ahead of the mass quarantine, 2020 was established to generally be the 12 months of streaming: Quibi, a brief-sort on the net online video app, was introduced very last week, however the sensitive start of Peacock — a different Digital residence for Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal posts — is set for Wednesday. Up coming month arrives AT&T Inc.’s refreshed HBO streaming product, generally known as HBO Max. Meanwhile, Disney+ has drawn, alternatively incredibly, larger than fifty million spending prospective buyers inside the five months that it’s been available. Quibi, which doesn’t have The nice thing about starting to be a globally regarded producer like Disney, documented one.seven million downloads in its at first 7 times. An individual needs to marvel, While, the amount the Quibi adverts blanketed across social media Charge it for acquiring there and the number of users are prepared to fork out $5 per month adhering to the generous ninety-day Charge-no cost trial time period is up.The Opposition hasn’t instantly translated into a greater, additional Value-productive experience for all shoppers. When Netflix’s attractiveness drove the sector ideal right into a articles or blog posts-creating frenzy which is able to And lastly be cherished, the very best plans at this time are scattered through distinct programs with their special paywalls and restricted picks. None has acquired extended-time period subscriber loyalty Yet the simplest way Netflix has.
Buyers is likely to be hanging on Each CEO’s each phrase in the course of earnings interval, which kicks off with Netflix’s outcomes on April 21. The modern viral strike “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” could have aided Netflix catch the attention of or retain subscribers, and at the very the very least they’re looking forward to for an extended time. Even so The reasoning This is often a great time for streaming enterprises just because everyone is caught family isn’t mechanically proper. The panic and harm from your outbreak and financial shutdown is ubiquitous — and flat-demand membership services don’t make more cash from persons shelling out a lot far more time with them. Hollywood has had to halt productions throughout the board, which means that at some point even applications which include things like Netflix and Disney+ could run from recent content substance, featuring their subscribers way more of the wandering eye.
Any wins in streaming also don’t make up for losses in other places. Get Disney: The Company is depending on its notion parks, resorts and cruise traces for roughly $five billion of operating economical obtain, and no movie organization company has far more cash tied within the box Business than Disney. Building its quick-to-shopper streaming device — comprising Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ — is definitely a worthwhile pursuit, but a single that may proceed on to get rid of dollars for the following handful of yrs. It’s no wonder why Bob Iger is reportedly owning yet again operational Command at Disney before long soon after possessing stepped apart as CEO in late February.
Recent megamergers will also be dealing with an unforeseen stress Have a look at. AT&T, a wi-fi connectivity business that’s noticeably insulated Along with the financial downturn, is at this time suffering in the downside of owning a media company business. In the situation of ViacomCBS Inc., two now challenged sets of house ended up launched down below just one roof, such as the Paramount film studio that was just beginning to get all over again on its toes fiscally soon right after yrs of mismanagement.It’s all about streaming now, and enjoyment platforms are competing for fans who can have a great deal more time than money to take a position these days. Which can just ability a change in thinking Using the media giants and convey with regards to by far the most swift change the industry has at any time seen.


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Brooks Macdonald International CIO, Kevin Boscher says the one area where markets are perhaps complacent at the moment is in assuming there will be no Fed rate hike until December.
Conference call disruptor LoopUp will be the first U.K. tech firm to go public since the Brexit vote. Its co-CEO, Michael Hughes discusses the business’ strategy.
WPP CEO, Sir Martin Sorrell talks about the advertising giant’s latest set of earnings and its outlook while discussing what’s been giving a boost to the industry.
WPP CEO, Sir Martin Sorrell and CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick talks about the advertising and how it played out during the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio.
WPP CEO, Sir Martin Sorrell discusses the recent decisions by the Bank of England, while commenting on life in a post-Brexit world.
Andrew McCaffery, global head of alternatives at Aberdeen Asset Management, explains why he believes many valuations across all asset classes are getting stretched.
Does the Australian economy need more monetary stimulus? Wesfarmers CEO, Richard Goyder weighs in.
Wesfarmers CEO, Richard Goyder talks about its acquisition of U.K. home improvement brand Homebase, and weighs in on Brexit.
In light of its recent earnings, Wesfarmers CEO, Richard Goyder talks about the challenges facing the supermarket division.
Walter Price, senior portfolio manager at Allianz Technology Trust, explains why services associated with the iPhone product (mapping, music) may be a big driver for Apple’s growth.
Jack Watts, lead analyst at AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds, discusses the problem of low wheat prices in Germany.
Michel Portier, head of Agritel, talks about problems with wheat prices that are affecting French farmers and food producers.
Fergus McCormick, chief economist & co-head of sovereign ratings at DBRS, explains why his company is reviewing its credit rating for Italy.
Mouhammed Choukeir, chief investment officer at Kleinwort Benson, discusses investment strategies including momentum investing.
Alex Tarrant, assistant editor at Dealreporter Europe, Mergermarket Group, shares his views on the deal between Pfizer and Medivation.
Michael Harris, managing director and head of Turkey product at Renaissance Capital, talks about investment appetite for Turkey.
Stephen Gethins, MP and Europe spokesperson for the SNP, explains why he is calling on the U.K. government to share concrete plans for Brexit.
Antoine Lesne, head of SPDR ETF strategy at State Street Global Advisors, discusses the impact of Swiss watch sales on Switzerland's economy.
William Lamb, president & CEO at Lucara, explains why the sale of the largest diamond discovered in 100 years fell through.
Carsten Nickel, senior vice president at Teneo Intelligence, explains why the leaders of Germany, France and Italy are constrained and cannot change EU policy.
Geoff Cutmore is co-anchor for CNBC’s flagship programme Squawk Box in EMEA; the three-hour show bookends the opening of European equity markets.
Based in London, Tso co-anchors CNBC flagship show in EMEA, Squawk Box, a show that sets the news agenda every trading day.
Steve Sedgwick co-anchors CNBC's flagship program Squawk Box Europe and is also CNBC's OPEC reporter covering major meetings.


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RETAILERS RACE AHEAD ON GREEN GOALS
|March 15, 2013|
| |A new progress report shows that retailers have beaten a range of challenging targets for reducing their impact on the environment.
Environment Policy Adviser, BRC
The A Better Retailing Climate progress report launched today by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shows that retailers went above and beyond industry-leading commitments to reduce their waste, energy and water usage in 2012.
The sector is also on track with ambitious goals to reduce the environmental impact of customers in the supply chain, in areas including packaging and food waste in the home.
This is the latest assessment against commitments set by the BRC's A Better Retailing Climate initiative, which was set up in 2008 and committed businesses representing the majority of the UK retail market to sector-wide green goals.
A Better Retailing Climate also makes recommendations to Government to help drive further progress. These include developing more forward-looking and consistent policies for carbon reduction, and implementing provisions in the 2012 draft Water Bill to enable businesses to choose their water suppliers. The BRC is also calling for EU regulations governing the shape and size of fruit and vegetables to be relaxed further so that more ‘wonky veg' can be sold in stores.
British Retail Consortium Environment Policy Adviser Alice Ellison said: "This update demonstrates that the retail industry is going above and beyond in its commitments to reducing its environmental impact across all aspects of its operations. Despite the downturn and other challenges affecting business, retailers are continuing to innovate and collaborate in this space, which delivers real environmental benefits as well as value for their customers.
"We want to keep this momentum going past the 2008 commitments, so our next step is setting new targets to build on this progress and continue to invest in protecting the planet."
The results it reveals include:
Retailers committed to reduce waste sent to landfill to below 15 per cent by 2013. Signatories beat that target two years early, sending just 10 per cent of waste to landfill in 2012 (down from 45 per cent in 2005).
Retailers committed to reduce delivery emissions by 15 per cent by 2013 (compared with 2005 levels). In fact they achieved a 27 per cent reduction by 2012.
Retailers committed to cut energy-related emissions from buildings by 25 per cent by 2013 (compared with 2005 levels and allowing for growth). By 2012, these emissions were down by 33 per cent.
Retailers committed to halve emissions from refrigeration by 2013 (relative to floor space to allow for business growth). By 2012, these had been reduced by 52 per cent.
Retailers committed to measure water-use in sites collectively anticipated as accounting for 75 per cent of water usage. By 2012, an estimated 87 per cent of water usage was measured.
Customers and suppliers
Retailers are on track to meet challenging targets for reducing customer impact in the supply chain, across food waste, packaging and carrier bags.
Notes to Editors
A full copy of A Better Retailing Climate: Progress Report 2012 is available at: www.brc.org.uk/downloads/abrc_progress_report_2012.pdf
25 retail businesses (comprising 26 retail brands) are signed up to the a better retailing climate commitments, comprising 50 per cent of uk retail by turnover.
Targets on food waste and packaging were set as part of the courtauld commitment, a voluntary responsibility deal between wrap and retailers and brands aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing the carbon and wider environmental impact of the uk grocery sector. the courtauld commitment phase 2 agreement ended in december 2012 and the final results will be reported in autumn 2013.
BRC press office 020 7854 8920 out of hours 07921 605544


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At least one leading global sportswear giant is currently working on its own flexible display hosting smartwatch device, industry insiders have confirmed.
With fitness gadgets such as the Nike FuelBand and the Adidas miCoach chip becoming increasingly popular in recent years, suppliers with knowledge of the situation have revealed that a leading sportswear manufacturer is current working on the production of a new flexible display boasting smartwatch.
Demonstrating a selection of its concept designs and future technologies, flexible display specialist Plastic Logic has revealed that, whilst the likes of Apple iWatch and Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch rumours are currently grabbing the headlines, sporting manufacturers are already working on their own wrist-worn offerings.
“One of the leading sports manufacturers in the world is doing a project with us, to try and take this type of concept further forward and then into production for them in the future,” Jim Watts, a leading engineer with Plastic Logic said speaking with TrustedReviews.
Although failing to detail which manufacturer is currently trialling the future tech, Watts offered some insights into the potential capabilities of the flexible display hosting smartwatch. He stated: “This could have a heart rate monitor. It could have some functionality for when you are doing your exercise training and things like that.”
He added: “You could then have additional capabilities attached to these displays to present the data you need to like a GPS tracker for if you go for a run.
“Then there could be an app running on your smartphone too, and you could listen to your music and answer a phone call via your wrist instead of having to get your phone out of your pocket, all of the things that seem obvious.”
Suggesting that the rise of flexible displays could help bring the fledgling smartwatch market to fruition and make the currently fringe technology the new consumer must, Watts has suggested the bendable screen options poses users appeasing potential that is lacking from current LCD hosting options.
“It’s much better than these fragmented LCD displays which can show a digit and that’s about it,” he said of the flexible display technology that is on the verge of making it to market in third-party products. “It’s the fact that its lightweight that make it attractive to people, you don’t have to lug something heavy around.”
Describing the sportswear manufacturer as “a very, very interesting big name,” Plastic Logic has failed to name the company, stating “we are contractually bound.”


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Volkswagen Partners With IBM Garage To Provide Customers With In-Vehicle Services
Volkswagen, one of the top three automakers in the world, knew it could do more with its customer-data, but wasn’t sure how to take advantage of the treasure trove of information generated from its cars. Partnering with the IBM Garage, VW focused its efforts on ‘We Experience’ to provide in-vehicle services that enhance a customer’s ride and grow revenue through partnerships.
Transforming an Automaker Into a Mobility Services Company
Along with every other major industry, car manufacturing is facing disruption brought about by new, data-driven services and rapidly shifting customer needs. The IBM Garage has helped one of the world’s leading automakers anticipate and adapt to the future to remain as strong in its future as it has been in its past. Leveraging the data it had already been collecting allows the company to offer services and products, positioning it well for the ongoing data-driven transformation of the global economy.
Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Board for Sales, Volkswagen, said: “Our customers will become part of an ecosystem that we have named ‘We’. This system complements the Volkswagen experience and enables the customer to take their world into our vehicles.”
- New mobility services through a new data-driven platform positions the company to take advantage of new and evolving revenue streams, including the estimated 58% of offline purchases involving cars.
- Colocation of IBM experts and VW leaders near VW headquarters in Germany allows the automaker to develop new ideas rapidly.
- Cross-company colocation brings the best internal talents, including digital strategy, IT development, business leadership and more, to bear on business challenges more quickly than ever.
NEXT UP IN NEWS
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- Autonomous Mobility Inching Closer to Reality, Says Report
- Lockheed Martin Joins Forces With General Motors to Develop Next-Generation Lunar Rover for NASA
- Lexus LC 500 Named Luxury Vehicle of Texas


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Honda to electrify its ‘mainstream’ European line-up by 2022
As part of its “electric vision” strategy, Honda will electrify its mainstream European models by 2022
Honda has confirmed it will electrify all of its mainstream models by 2022, in a bid to meet European emissions regulations. Over the next 36 months, the Japanese manufacturer will launch six electrified cars, one of which will be the next-generation Honda Jazz, which was revealed at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Honda has officially announced four of its six planned electrified vehicles. The list currently includes new hybrid versions of the HR-V and Civic, the hybrid-only fourth-generation Jazz and the all-electric Honda e. The Japanese firm will also launch a new electric car and an all-new SUV, but the specifics of these vehicles are yet to be confirmed.
Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, said: “This shift to electrification will change the face of our model line-up considerably. Our two-motor hybrid technology will be spread across the model range and we will bring further battery electric product to the market.”
The 2020 Honda Jazz will spearhead the firm’s push towards hybrid drive. Unlike a conventional hybrid, where the electric motor assists the combustion engine, the Jazz’s petrol engine acts a range-extender, generating electricity for the motor. Honda says this approach improves both economy and refinement.
Honda’s shift towards electrification in Europe will arrive three years earlier than the firm originally planned, due to the speed at which European emissions regulations are being updated, the improved consumer attitude towards all-electric motoring and the confidence the company has in its latest all-electric and hybrid powertrains.
What do you make of Honda’s push towards electrification? Let us know in the comments section below…


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Stocks fell on Friday as Wall Street headed for a big losing week, and traders digested an ugly earnings warning from FedEx about the global economy.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 306 points, or 1%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were down 1.2% and 1.6%, respectively.
FedEx shares fell 24% after the shipping company I pulled the whole year directives It said it would implement cost-cutting initiatives to counter weak global shipment volumes as the global economy “significantly deteriorates”.
Transportation stocks are usually seen as A Leading indicator of the stock market as well as the economyFedEx cited weakness in Asia as one of the main reasons for its negative outlook. Shipping competitors UPS and XPO Logistics are down 4% and 7%, respectively, and Amazon is down 3%.
The FedEx announcement comes shortly after a hotter-than-expected inflation report was released in the US on Tuesday, sparking fears that the Federal Reserve will have to cause a recession to cool prices. That data triggered a drop of more than 1,200 points for the Dow Jones Index.
“There is a great deal of concern about how the global economy is affecting the US economy right now, while the US economy is dealing with its own set of very serious issues. I think this dynamic is what woke people up to,” said Kaley Cox. , a US investment analyst at eToro.
The three major averages were on track for their fourth losing week in five as the rally rally looks increasingly like a bear market bounce. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 4.7% this week, while the S&P 500 is down 3.8%. The Nasdaq Composite is down 6.2%, heading for its worst weekly loss since June.
“Beer aficionado. Gamer. Alcohol fanatic. Evil food trailblazer. Avid bacon maven.”


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It's not just original iPads that are still very much in demand -- it's all tablets, past and present. According to a new report by trade-in site SellCell.com, October 2012 was the biggest month for tablet trade-ins in history, spurred by brand new tablet announcements from Google (the Nexus 10 ...
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player ...
The iPhone has always had a robust market for used handsets, with even older models still getting rather good returns for their former owners. Priceonomics has done a study of the used smartphone market and compared the depreciation in resale value for the iPhone versus Android and BlackBerry ...
Deals of the Daymore deals
Software Updatesmore updates
- Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 Update 14.3.4
- Pixelmator 2.2 available with over 100 new features and improvements
- DabKick for iPhone lets you share photos, watch videos and now listen to music in real-time
- Google Now added to search app on iPhone, iPad
- GateGuru for iPhone has been updated and greatly improved
- Twitter updates its OS X client


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GM to Sell Transmission Plant in France to Stem Losses
Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co., will sell a French transmission plant to a private Belgian company as part of an effort to end losses in Europe that have totaled $17.3 billion since 1999.
The plant in Strasbourg, France, will be bought by Punch Metals International, which will retain the employees, according to a GM statement on its website yesterday. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a maker of auto and truck parts, agreed to purchase transmissions from the plant. A price wasn’t disclosed.
GM will be a customer of the factory in 2013 and 2014 “to maintain a robust level” of output “to provide for a smooth transition” to a ZF-based product line, the automaker said. The plant employs about 1,000 people.
GM started a strategic review of the plant in May, hiring Barclays Plc (BARC) to solicit bids from potential buyers, while also evaluating other options to keep the facility open. The Detroit-based automaker said in October losses in Europe may reach $1.8 billion this year, and that it’s seeking to break even in the region within three years.
GM said yesterday it expects to complete the plant sale early next year.
GM fell 0.1 percent to $27.32 at the close in New York yesterday. The shares have gained 35 percent this year as of yesterday.
To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Koenig in Southfield, Michigan at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at firstname.lastname@example.org


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A large breach opened Monday morning in a Missouri River levee, as officials said a temporary levee built up in the last week was no longer big enough to protect the southwestern Iowa city of Hamburg.
Late Monday, the Army Corps of Engineers said the breach had widened to 300 feet and that its estimate of how much water would reach Hamburg had risen by two to three feet. The new estimate meant that the Corps would need to add an additional three feet of height to a levee that had already been built up by four to five feet in recent days.
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Kleinwort Benson backs hopefuls in new music start-up
What do Kleinwort Benson and indie rock band The Paris Riots have in common? Not much, other than that they are both hoping to profit from a start-up called Supajam, an entertainment platform launched last year by two British music entrepreneurs.
Supajam, which makes money directing new music through its website and licensing division, is the latest in a series of start-up ventures advised by the UK wealth manager.
A minimum of £1m (€1.2m) is usually required to open an account with Kleinwort Benson. But as part of a strategy where more of its resources will be focused on entrepreneurs, a number of start-up ventures are receiving services including finance, strategic planning and marketing, for free.
Supajam founders David Court and Nick Stillwell said that although they were under no obligation, they would definitely continue to bank with Kleinwort Benson. Court said: “That is where Kleinwort are so smart; they invest time and advice to entrepreneurs, which breeds huge loyalty, and we look forward to paying that back.”
Fergus Caheny, a private banker at the London-based wealth manager who works with the Supajam founders, admitted that although the business was partly philanthropic, there was an ulterior motive. He said: “Building a relationship from the grass roots often cultivates a long-term partnership. Today’s talented entrepreneurs are tomorrow’s business leaders and we anticipate many years supporting them.”
The bank has for many years held quarterly invitation-only free seminars – “entrepreneurs forums” – for entrepreneurs and business owners to network and learn from other successful start-ups.
Past speakers included Sean Phelan, founder of Multimap, and David Soskin, vice-chairman at www.mysupermarket.com. Kleinwort Benson recently took the show on the road to regionally based entrepreneurs in Brighton.
Kleinwort Benson is joining a string of peers funding start-up companies for little or no fees in the hope they are backing winners.
Bill Yelverton, executive director of wealth consultant Scorpio Partnership, said: “With little new wealth creation being made elsewhere, it is small wonder banks are turning to entrepreneurs.”
Almost a third of clients at Coutts & Co, the UK private bank owned by government-backed Royal Bank of Scotland, are entrepreneurs. This year public relations consultant Michael Hayman was appointed regional chairman to head Coutts & Co’s entrepreneur division.
Barclays Wealth and HSBC Private Bank said the majority of their clients were entrepreneurs who frequently came on board through the retail bank. Both have entrepreneurs’ clubs offering networking opportunities. Investec Private Bank, known for its innovative asset-based lending, said almost 100% of its clients were entrepreneurs.
While the number of entrepreneurs is burgeoning, their financing needs are growing more pressing. Figures last week from the British Bankers’ Association show that lending to the UK’s small firms has declined by nearly £300m over the past 12 months to June. This is despite small businesses increasing deposits with banks by £2.5bn (€3bn) over the past four months, according to the BBA.
Court said: “It’s difficult for entrepreneurs to raise money at the moment – investors are extremely cautious. As an entrepreneur you have to be prepared to hunt that finance out.”


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July 11, 2017
In a decision described as mutual between DeYoung and the VSTO board, he will accelerate his retirement and step down from the top job effective immediately to make room for new leadership.
Following a tortuous path that involved finding a new buyer for the credit card operation and a lengthy regulatory approval process, the final hurdle to the proposed merger of Cabela’s and Bass Pro was cleared when shareholders voted to approve the merger at $61.50 per share in a deal that will be worth $5 billion.
The helmet makers have reached a settlement in the lawsuit over Riddell’s patents which it accused Xenith of copying.
Scott Hudler will be SVP responsible for all marketing and report to Lauren Hobart, president of Dick’s, who most recently held the position of EVP and chief marketing officer.
Retailers stocking up for Back-to-School and Holiday are showing mid-single-digit growth in imports, according to the National Retail Federation’s port tracker service.


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Facebook and Yahoo have developed a mechanism to prevent the owners of recycled email addresses from hijacking accounts that were registered on other sites using those addresses in the past.
Malicious advertisements made their way last week to almost two dozen popular websites and used browser-based exploits to infect computers with CryptoWall, a nasty file-encrypting ransomware program.
Yahoo reported a 1 percent sales increase on Tuesday, a marked shift after multiple quarters of decline, though results in its critical ad business were mixed.
Following the iPhone 6 launch in China, Apple's iCloud service began facing a "man-in-the-middle" style attack in the country, in an apparent attempt to steal username and password information, according to an anti-censorship watchdog group.
Yahoo said Monday it has fixed a bug that was mistaken for the Shellshock flaw, but no user data was affected.
Yahoo, which got its start as a digital phone book of websites, is closing that book.
The amount of personal information held by firms like Google and Facebook has made them ripe targets for data-hungry governments and intelligence agencies. But the bull's-eye on Yahoo's back may be losing its appeal.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission's deadline for the public to comment on the agency's proposed net neutrality rules passed Monday with more than 3 million comments filed, by far a record number for an FCC proceeding.
What should happen to your personal digital communications -- emails, chats, photos and the like -- after you die? Should they be treated like physical letters for the purposes of a will?
The U.S. government once threatened to fine Yahoo US$250,000 a day if it failed to assist with its surveillance efforts, Yahoo said Thursday.
Nearly all of Facebook's outbound notification emails are now encrypted while traveling the Internet, a collaborative feat that comes from the technology industry's push to thwart the NSA's spying programs.
A German copyright law that gives publishers the exclusive right to the commercial use of their content online is unconstitutional according to Yahoo, which has filed a complaint with Germany's Federal Constitutional Court.
European data protection authorities still have questions after meeting with Google, Microsoft and Yahoo about the implementation of a recent ruling that gave European citizens the right to be forgotten by search engines.
Google, Microsoft and Yahoo are meeting with European data protection authorities Thursday to discuss how to implement a recent ruling that gives people the right to have personal information excluded from search results.
Yahoo has reached an agreement to acquire Flurry, a mobile analytics company, as part of a push to grow its advertising revenue within its mobile products.
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News & Events
Please join us on Wednesday evening, September 30, at 6:30 PM for a meeting at North Shore Public Library in Wading River (map), in the large meeting room downstairs. You will hear an update on the progress of the restoration and renovation at … [ read more... ]
On Nikola Tesla’s birthday, Friday, July 10, 2015, Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSC) will host the Long Island premiere of filmmaker Joseph Sikorski’s new documentary film, “Tower to the People,” at the Shoreham-Wading River High School auditorium in Wading River, New York.
In making … [ read more... ]
The third cleanup season at Tesla’s Wardenclyffe site will start in earnest in May. However, we got a lot of top soil delivered, and we will start spreading it tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, 9—12 noon, especially near the Tesla statue where we are setting … [ read more... ]
The Tesla Memorial Conference is live at www.remembertesla.com (please donate there to help offset the cost of streaming). Tickets for the Tesla Spirit Awards Gala from 7 to 10 PM are still available via EventBrite. Unveiling of the Tesla bust at 7–8 PM.
Meet … [ read more... ]
The third Tesla Memorial Conference, organized by our friends at the Tesla Science Foundation, is held this Saturday, 10 January 2015, at the New Yorker Hotel beginning at 9 AM (Tesla spirit awards gala 7–10 PM). Tickets and information available via EventBrite.
Those who … [ read more... ]


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Bad news for Memphis fast food junkies: Locally appearing Burger King signs reading “Global Warming is Baloney” aren't a tone-deaf marketing campaign for some delicious new Whopper-loni sandwich. Darn it.
On the other hand ecologically-minded consumers can breathe a little easier knowing that Burger King Corp. (BKC), the company that licenses BK franchises, isn't going on the warpath against global warming science.
On Friday, May 29 Susan Robison, Vice President, Corporate Communications for the Burger King Corporation, dropped The Flyer an email containing BKC's official — if not fully informed — statement regarding the signs.
This statement [“Global Warming is baloney”] does not reflect a Burger King Corp. (BKC) opinion or view. The two restaurants where these signs appeared are independently owned and operated and were not authorized to display this statement. The signs have since been removed.
BKC believes in operating as a socially responsible company and is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where it lives and works.
When asked if the message had been removed from the other Burger Kings in the region, Robison said she would look into the situation but was only aware of the two locations mentioned at the Memphis Flyer's SING ALL KINDS blog.
Since the original posting, readers have noticed other area BKs that are comparing global warming to the popular lunch meat commonly made from organs, trimmings, and scraps from other meat processing. The stores in question are all operated by a Memphis-based fast-food management company called MIC, which operates over 40 BKs as well as three Popeye's and five All-in-One's. Bob Cook, MIC's president of retail operations, was contacted for comment but hasn't called back.
Long story short: Burger King Corp. has no official point of view regarding global warming and climate science, but somebody connected to MIC, a large local franchisee, thinks it's all baloney and wants to say so in a very public way. That same somebody has most likely received a tersely worded message all about franchise agreements and contentious brand associations. But BKC still may not have grasped the full scope of the messaging.


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Peloton recalls 2.2M bikes after reports of injuries. How to get replacement seat and install it
Peloton announced that it is recalling 2.2 million of the Peloton original Bikes sold from January 2018 to May 2023 and offering members a replacement seat post as the approved remedy.
According to a release from the company, the seat post can break unexpectedly during use. Peloton says it has identified 35 reports of the seat breaking out of 2,160,000 units sold in the U.S.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says there have been 13 reports of injury including a fractured wrist, lacerations and bruises due to falling from the bike.
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There is no impact to Peloton Bike+ Members nor Peloton original Bike owners in the UK, Germany and Australia, according to the statement.
The free, updated replacement seat post can be installed at home and without the need for a service call.
How to tell if your Peloton original Bike is affected
Peloton says the recalled model can be identified by its red “P” logo followed by the white-colored “Peloton” brand name on the bike’s frame and by its non-swivel display. The model number “PL-01” can be found on the label located on the inside front fork (near the flywheel).
How to receive a replacement seat
Peloton has contacted all affected owners via email with instructions on how to order a replacement seat post. The company’s member support team is available on its toll-free number at 866-679-9129 from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, 7 days a week.
What to do if you’ve had an accident with the product but never reported it
Peloton encourages anyone with an accident that they did not report to contact their member support team. Support can be reached here or on its toll-free number at 866-679-9129 from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET, 7 days a week.
How to replace your seat post
Peloton says replacing your seat post is an easy process that can be completed at home. Follow the steps in this video to learn how:
How to obtain a replacement seat
Visit this page and sign into your Peloton account. You will be prompted to enter shipping details, including your name, phone number and address. The replacement seat post and delivery are free.


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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc’s restaurant delivery business has grown revenue to $1.5 billion in just three years, the company disclosed in its IPO filing on Thursday, dwarfing the revenue of its profitable, and already public, rival Grubhub Inc.
Uber also spelled out the struggle its food delivery business faces: “Cumulative payments to drivers for Uber Eats deliveries historically have exceeded the cumulative delivery fees paid by consumers,” it said. Uber Eats, and its rivals DoorDash and Postmates – who are also candidates for initial public offerings (IPOs) – are offering discounts and incentives to diners and restaurants in a race to grab the biggest piece of online restaurant delivery sales that investment firm William Blair & Co expects to grow to $62 billion in 2022 from around $25 billion today.
Uber said its “take rate” – or the percentage of revenue it keeps from each restaurant order – declined to 10 percent after it charged high-volume restaurant partners lower fees in competitive markets like the United States and India. “What you like to see is take rates going up not down,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Ygal Aronian, who noted that fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp is a key Uber Eats partner.
Research firm Edison Trends said Uber Eats does more deliveries than its U.S. rivals, including GrubHub, but that the dollar value of each transaction is the lowest of the bunch at $26.20.
That makes it harder to turn a profit in an industry where customers, restaurants, and drivers bounce between delivery services. Raising prices is not an option.
“Consumers, as convenience-minded as they are, are still pretty price sensitive,” said Jesse Reyes, chief executive of J-Curve Advisors, who advises venture capital and private equity funds. GrubHub had established the beginnings of a profitability roadmap for the industry – even as some experts worry that it is losing share to its fast-growing Silicon Valley rivals.
The Chicago-based company merged with rival Seamless before its April 2014 IPO and since has made more than a half-dozen other purchases, including Yelp Inc’s Eat24, campus delivery firm Tapingo Ltd and LevelUP, which manages digital ordering, payments and loyalty programs. It booked 2018 net income of $78.5 million on revenue of $1 billion. GrubHub’s U.S. restaurant partners pay an average commission rate of 20 percent. Diners are charged nothing or up to a few dollars for deliveries, spokeswoman Katie Norris said.
The company also forged an exclusive partnership with KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands Inc, which took a $200 million stake in the Grubhub.
Experts say there will be more consolidation and failures as delivery firms look for ways to break away from the pack.
“It’s early days in this space and there is a lot that will shake out in the next couple of years,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Arounian.


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Strife: Iah Hero Reveal
The sands have shifted to reveal a recently resurrected ancient princess.
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Novartis AG (NVS) Tries More Exec Level OTC Switches
4/25/2012 7:53:36 AM
Stung by the ongoing problems at its consumer health manufacturing plant in Nebraska, Novartis has made yet another series of managerial changes in its over-the-counter division. The drugmaker, which reported a quarterly earnings drop that was attributed in part to the problems, has also created a new team to coordinate quality control upgrades among all divisions that are undergoing “committed remediation efforts,” according to a memo from Novartis ceo Joe Jimenez. Among the shifts, Thorsten Hartig was appointed to run US manufacturing for the OTC unit. And Didier Colombeen was named head of global manufacturing and supply, which involves running all aspects of manufacturing operations and the supply chain. Colombeen succeeds Cath Malseed, who has left Novartis to “pursue other career opportunities,” the memo states. Meanwhile, Rick Lloyd is now region head for the Americas for the OTC.
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Most recently in Shanghai, a company flew no less than 1,500 drones forming a giant QR code. People who attended the show were able to capture the motif with their smartphones and download games. This communication operation was a success in this country where the QR code is widely used.
1,500 drones in the sky over Shanghai
Drones can have many uses such as terrain reconnaissance, aerial photography, the delivery of goods, the transport of organs or even the pollination of crops. However, these machines can also be used to organize night shows in the sky. In July 2020, South Korea used this ingenious means to communicate on the importance of wearing the mask during this pandemic period.
As reported by the Singaporean media Mothership in a post from April 20, 2021, a show of the genre recently took place in Shanghai (China). The Suzhou Unimes company flew 1,500 drones in the sky from the city. The goal? Allow a large number of spectators to point their smartphone and access games to download online. The show took place at the “Bund” (外灘), one of Shanghai’s historic boulevards where there are several European-style and / or colonial-era buildings.
An effective communication coup
The show in question revolved around the hit mobile game Princess Connect Re: Diving released in 2018 in Japan and only in April 2020 in China. It was therefore to celebrate the anniversary of the game’s release in China. The drones performed different choreographies displaying in turn the characters of the game, different messages, the game logo and of course the QR code. So many people were able to use this link to go to a website with more information and download links. This operation appears to be a communication blow as effective as it is spectacular since tens of thousands of people have used the famous link.
It must be said that China is one of the countries in the world where QR codes are used the most, even in these times of crisis. In February 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Chinese government had developed a new QR code system with different colors. Depending on the code assigned, citizens were likely to be asked to stay at home for a longer or shorter time, a way of fight against the spread of the virus. Obviously, this method had come under strong criticism for its authoritarian character.


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Walk into any supermarket, doctor’s surgery, or fast-food restaurant, and chances are you'll be met by the iridescent glow and automated thank you of a touch-screen. Given their quick, easy-to-use nature, it's no surprise this interactive technology has become a staple of modern society.
Service industries have reaped the benefits of shorter transaction times, higher customer throughputs, and increased sales data. These automated interfaces also offer benefits in the workplace, classroom, and lecture hall. Their interactivity and readily available information can enhance the overall learning environment, share ideas, and spark new insights. Collaboration becomes truly collaborative; the unilateral method of marker on board is replaced with a more responsive, expansive learning experience.
Enter COVID-19, the SARS virus strain that has turned 2020 on its head (and introduced us all to the glory of pyjama bottoms on a conference call, every cloud). Given the novelty of coronavirus and its capacity for spreading through touching hard surfaces, there was sudden anxiety around shared touch-screens.
82% of individuals surveyed in April said they felt more confident about the hygiene and safety of touchless interfaces than they did about touchscreens, just 12% believed that touchscreens in public places were hygenic.
Should We Be Avoiding Touch-Screens?
Public Health England (PHE) is yet to issue any specific advice on using touch-screens concerning the virus. Given the ubiquity of touch technology, one could argue that it’s almost impossible to avoid them altogether. Interactive screens pose a similar risk to other points of communal contact; door handles, traffic lights, PIN terminals.
Is the Touch-Screen Industry in Danger?
Given the scale of disruption to our lives, workplaces, and habits in the wake of the pandemic, it would not be incredulous to predict a blow to the touch-screen market. Some manufacturers have already responded by introducing contact-free display solutions. DOOH company Ocean Outdoor has announced plans for touchless advertising displays in city centers and shopping malls. Touch interaction will instead be replaced by mid-air haptic controls to avoid contact.
Encouragingly, industry members have hinted towards a postponement, opposed to a cancellation.
Take a look at the live-music and arts industry right now; the demand for venue equipment might not be there right now. Still, eventually, the industry will jolt back to life again, and the need for innovative, high-tech audio and visual solutions will be there once again. The same notion applies to the meeting room.
People will return to work at some point, the office might look a little different, but it will still need to facilitate the core facets of an integrated workforce: cooperation, communication, and most importantly, collaboration. Digitally-enabled huddle spaces and meeting rooms will always have a place - if anything, they'll be essential to facilitating hybrid working and creating better accessibility. Technology will ultimately play a role in the post-COVID workplace, and touch-screen technology will be part of that.
Adopting New behaviors
Pre-COVID-19 studies suggested the frequency of effective handwashing was low and that we touch our faces over 20 times an hour on average. However, it’s estimated that these figures may appear very different, given the widespread prevalence of health campaigns relating to the virus. Humans are inherently adaptive, we often find change difficult initially, but ultimately, we adapt and continue. It’s part of our DNA.
Instead of avoiding use altogether, a more realistic approach is for individuals to use the same hygiene behaviors they have already adopted for eating out, shopping, and using public facilities. People will become more vigilant with personal hygiene when using touch-screens. In the way we adapted to wearing masks in the supermarket, we’ll adapt to washing our hands after touching the meeting room display screen or sanitizing it before use. Gloves can be worn, stylses can be used. Touch-screens hygiene will simply become part of the broader consideration in making offices safe.
Businesses are already adapting. Many cafes and restaurants have adapted to the issue of shared menus by introducing QR codes which can be scanned by phone. In the short-term, schools and businesses may also adopt a similar strategy to introduce mobile-connectivity and interaction. These are elements that have always played a key role when we design software.
Our Broadcast solution, for example, enables you to share content on the audience’s devices with minimal fuss. All you need to do is go to the Broadcast webpage, enter a 6 digit ID, and you're live with the presenter's screen. This navigates the issue of socially distanced spaces, allowing all participants to follow the presentation, wherever they’re seated.
Is the Future Touch-Free?
Despite the current trepidation surrounding shared spaces and touch-screens, humans have relatively short memories when it comes to things like this. Research conducted by a team of academics in 2015 found that meat consumption habits affected by bird flu and foot and mouth disease, although significant at the time, were small in magnitude overall.
In the short-term, consumers may look for alternatives to interacting with touch-screens, but longer-term, we’re likely to see this shift reflect the changes in the threat level of the virus. If anything, it provides an opportunity for manufactures to build upon their current offering. Remote-connectivity and touch-less interfaces could become a priority for office touch-screens, which might offer increased accessibility and inclusion in the meeting space.
DisplayNote’s Launcher software enables an employee to walk into any meeting space and instantly launch video calls from the Launcher mobile app, without the need to touch a shared computer. This can be done using your personal mobile device, which uses proximity detection to access a large touchscreen.


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A few years ago, shopping in Ghana meant boarding a bus to the city centre and wading through crowds of people into an open market to bargain for items. This practice still continues, but a different retail phenomenon is attracting shoppers away from open markets.
Ghanaian capital Accra’s retail shopping scene has been changing with the development of formal, Western-style malls that also serve as popular hangouts and meeting places, especially on weekends and holidays.
Accra Mall which opened in 2008 with a 21,000m² capacity, attracts an astonishing 135,000 visitors a week, according to Actis, the UK-based property investor which financed the development. South Africa’s Shoprite and Game are the anchor tenants and the mall boasts a one stop shop concept where almost all purchases can be made under one roof.
There are several reasons for this growth in retail property, most notably the 2007 discovery of oil in Ghana and its subsequent production. The country’s economy grew a whopping 14% in 2011, 8% in 2012 and is projected to grow 7.8% in 2013.
Moses Luri, head of retail leasing at Broll Ghana, property manager of both Accra Mall and A&C Mall in the east of the city, explains the growth of shopping malls.
“We have favourable economic conditions here. A growing middle class with disposable income, so now people are actually able to afford some of the brands that they are used to outside the country, or even afford their basic necessities,” he says, adding that people also want to shop in a modern environment.
Last year Marina Mall was opened. It is located in the Airport City area, a multi-purpose shopping and office hub mostly under construction close to Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, and is managed by JHI Properties Ghana, a local subsidiary of a South African property firm.
“Retail is coming up all over the place. I think a lot of people are interested in malls and shops… the setting of the malls where you can go in and you can get everything is more inviting than going to a market where everything is open and it’s crowded and it’s crazy,” says manager of the mall Florence Menson.
This push in new malls is led by South African capital. According to the IMF, the average growth of African economies for last year and this year was between 5% and 6%. South Africa’s economy, the most developed on the continent, is closely tied to the economies of developed nations. However, stagnation in Western economies resulted in South Africa experiencing lower economic growth – less than the continent’s average. Thus, South African brands such as Shoprite, Game, Woolworths, Mr Price and Truworths are looking to other African countries such as Ghana to bolster profits.
Challenges to growth
However, the growth of retail property development is not without its challenges.
“I think the number one [challenge] will be most retailers telling you that the rents are high… import duties seem to be one of the things that they talk about. And then the fact that for new retailers, unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any tax breaks for them with regard to the investment that they’re putting into the retail [economy],” says Luri.
Menson highlights another challenge: adjusting to longer working hours.
“I think the people [staff] are not quite ready for working long hours [as demanded in mall situations]. I think human resources management is a huge problem because some of the service providers that we use are not used to these long hours [working on shift basis and closing late at night]. Usually everybody here [in Ghana] works nine to five. Here you have to work till 10pm, you have to work on weekends,” she says.
Menson says the unreliable electricity supply also affects business.
Despite these challenges, Broll Ghana estimates that around 110,000m² of retail space will become available over the next 12- 24 months – in Accra and other cities such as Kumasi and Takoradi (the hub of the country’s oil and gas industry).
There are currently a number of retail property developments underway: the $93m West Hills Mall; One Airport Square and Nester Square, both in the Airport City development; and Oxford Street Mall on the tourist favourite Oxford Street in downtown Osu, Accra.
In Kumasi, the $48m Garden City Mall will open later this year.
The world’s second largest retailer, French firm Carrefour, this year announced it will open shop in Ghana through African distribution company CFAO.
Stability attracts investors
Last week, Ghana’s Supreme Court affirmed the results of the country’s December 2012 election, after a challenge by the opposition. Will this political stability attract more investors?
“We have shown that we have stability,” says Yaw Adu-Koranteng, a research analyst at NDK Asset Management, a local financial advisory firm in Accra.
He says most investors moving into African countries are concerned about risk, especially political risk. “We’ve shown that Ghana is a place where their investments will be safe… I think going forward it’s going to be a plus for Ghana in terms of attracting foreign direct investment.”
Menson says a lot of office buildings are under construction. International companies are also moving into the country and need office space. “The economy out there even in the developed countries is not great, even the Ghanaians who are gone [those living abroad] are coming back home. So, I think there’s a lot of room for growth and a lot of people are seeing the potential in Ghana,” she says.
“If you look at some of the grocery retailers, talk about the likes of Carrefour and talk about the likes of Casino Group, all these [retailers] are looking at Ghana. Talk about international fashion labels and they are all looking at Ghana and so there’s a lot of demand coming from there and that’s fuelling all the projects that we have on the table”, Luri says.


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CHARLOTTE — Strong performance in its fleet vehicle business lifted sales for Spartan Motors Inc. throughout 2016.
The Charlotte-based manufacturer of heavy vehicle chassis generated annual sales of $590.8 million last year, a 7.3-percent increase compared to $550.4 million in 2015. Net income for the year increased 68 percent to $11.1 million from $6.6 million in the previous year.
Overall, sales of Spartan Motors’ (NASDAQ: SPAR) fleet vehicles grew approximately 22 percent, reaching $278.4 million last year, up more than $50 million from the prior before. At the same time, full-year sales in the speciality chassis market, which includes motor homes, remained remained relatively flat at $129 million.
Sales for the company’s emergency response vehicle segment fell 5.3 percent to $183 million.
Spartan Motors closed its fourth quarter by generating sales of $145.9 million, a 3.7-percent increase from the same period a year ago. Net income for the quarter nearly tripled to $1.5 million.
“Our performance in 2016 reflects great progress toward key operational milestones as the positive momentum we sparked and fanned in 2015 started to accelerate and deliver on our turnaround initiatives, some well ahead of schedule,” Daryl Adams, president and CEO of Spartan Motors, said in a statement. “Take a look at 2016, and you are looking at a company whose head is squarely in the game, and it is one we intend to win.”
For this year, the company expects to generate annual revenues of $615 million to $685 million. The company’s 2017 outlook includes the roughly $70 million in revenues added through its acquisition of Snyder, Neb.-based Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., a manufacturer of fire truck components. The deal for Smeal closed in January.


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UPDATE 9/10: Over the past week, Apple has resolved the production problems facing the Watch Series 7, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as reported by MacRumors(Opens in a new window).
Kuo explained in an investor note: "The production issue of the Apple Watch 7 is mainly related to the panel side. However, it has been resolved, and mass production of panel modules will begin in mid-September."
The manufacturing problem was apparently being caused by the new display panel, which replaces the existing cable connection with a "contact design." It means Apple has switched to requiring low injection pressure overmolding (LIPO) in the Watch for the first time. There was also a reliability issue when producing the new OLED display, resulting in blinking panels and touch insensitivity.
Apple was expecting mass production of the Series 7 to start in mid-September, but with the panels not available until then, Kuo believes that will now happen later in the month. Ultimately, it means the manufacturing delay only ended up being a couple of weeks.
Original Story 9/1:
The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to have a significantly different design compared to the Series 6, to the point where manufacturers are struggling to make it.
As Nikkei Asia reports(Opens in a new window), the Series 7 design is "complicated," and three sources have reported that the added complexity is making it hard to assemble each smartwatch. It's proving so difficult that initial production runs have now been stopped, and Apple is working with its suppliers to overcome the problems.
Apple isn't one to share details about new products ahead of launching them, but the additional complexity of the design is thought to come from more features being packed inside the tiny watch body. To do this, the Series 7 is expected to have a new layout of electronic modules, which manufacturers need to learn how to put together using a process fast enough for mass production while ensuring low failure rates.
Mass production was expected to start in mid-September, but one source told Nikkei that "Apple and its suppliers are working around the clock trying to solve the issues, but currently it is hard to tell when the mass production could begin."
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ALDI plans to increase the use of sustainable cocoa in its own-brand products from 90% to 100% by the end of 2015, including confectionery, cereals, ice cream and other items, the German discount supermarket announced on Monday. The grocer will source its cocoa from farmers that are certified through Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified and Fairtrade.
Retailers have seen substantial growth to their own-brand products over the course of the economic downturn, prompting Tesco, Carrefour, Metro and others to take advantage of the opportunity and launch their own value brands. While that upward trajectory is expected to flatten out, many of those consumers that did make the shift likely will continue to buy own-brand goods, according to Verdict Research.
Meijer and Publix are both working with Produce for Kids to help encourage children to eat more fresh produce. Meijer hosted educational events in parks this summer, while Publix held in-store presentations that taught children and parents how to cook healthy foods.
Save-A-Lot is experiencing sales growth by offering a basic, no-frills approach to grocery shopping. The store uses a limited inventory that lures bargain shoppers and other consumers affected by high gas and food prices.
Michigan-based supermarket chain Meijer has started offering customers its own-brand milk from cows not treated with hormones. "Consumers want the same wholesome and delicious taste of our Meijer brand milk without the concerns of cows being treated with this artificial growth hormone. This move is not a reaction to any health concerns[;] it's a decision to give our customers what they want," said Ralph Fischer, Meijer's group vice president of grocery.


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IT & Telecom
July 22, 2012
Bahraini businesses are unprepared in the event of a major cyber assault, it has emerged.
Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider, is offering a complimentary trial of selected SMS subscription services for the first seven days of the Holy Month.
July 19, 2012
du is introducing a comprehensive set of initiatives and offers that will enable its customers to spread seasonal joy to their friends and loved ones around the world.
AWAL IT Services has announced its participation as the technical sponsor in the National Industries and Consumer Products 2012 expo.
July 18, 2012
du is supporting the UAE Vision 2021 by encouraging community volunteering, through its Mawaed Al Rahman iftar meal distribution programme.
Comguard announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Delphix, the leading database virtualization for agile data management software solution provider.
Kaspersky Lab researchers announced the results of a joint-investigation with Seculert regarding Madi.
July 17, 2012
Software AG has announced a new blog series targeted at business-to-business and supply chain management (SCM) professionals on its recently launched B2B.com site.
Polycom unveiled significant enhancements to the Polycom RealPresence Platform that will enable service providers to more easily deliver Video-as-a-Service offerings at scale to businesses of all sizes.
Blue Coat Systems introduced mobile application controls that close the security gap created by unsanctioned mobile applications on the corporate network.
Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider, has successfully awarded 28 family members a certified ‘Project Manager’ qualification.
The Acer Internet Lounges provide athletes with fully-equipped computing stations offering broadband Internet access, printer capabilities and social networking applications.
Sophos today announced the availability of Sophos UTM 9, the first UTM specifically designed to integrate gateway security and endpoint security in a single hardware or virtual box.
Wi-tribe has recently expanded its progressive suite of customized and high-quality connectivity solutions and services through a key enhancement of its network.
July 16, 2012
Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider, is delighted to announce that its Al Khoudh and Seeb Stores are now managed by female family members, marking another ‘first’ for the company.


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The Largest Moments in Cannabis During 2018
FeaturedMarijuana Industry NewsUncategorized December 28, 2018 MJ Shareholders
The medical and recreational cannabis market around the world has reshaped drastically during the 2018 year. With a large amount of investments and political changes both coming into the marijuana sphere, 2018 was a transformative year for the world of pot. Here we can take a look back at some of the biggest happenings of the year, and hope that 2019 will bring just as much good fortune to cannabis as prior years.
One of the largest shifts in the world of cannabis during 2018 was the legalization of recreational cannabis throughout Canada. Not only was this the first time that a G7 nation legalized adult use of marijuana, but this also helped to create a domino effect showing that it is possible to legalize weed on a large scale.
Back on October 17th, Canada decided to begin the sales of adult use cannabis for those over the age of 21. Canada, however, came in second to Uruguay in regard to legalizing weed, but regardless the scale is still massive. The move to legalize the substance has helped to bring in new revenue to the nation in the form of taxes and high growth within the market.
On the same playing field, California legalized the use of marijuana for those over the age of 21 as well. California is widely regarded as the largest and wealthiest cannabis market in the world, which makes this a huge deal for the whole of the industry. California has been looked at around the world for quite some time as being one of the biggest hearths of change. With the legalization of cannabis, this proves that yet again, California is able to make controversial laws work in their favor.
One of the issues with these legal markets, however, has been the skyrocketing price of cannabis. New competition has increased the price of marijuana by a large margin, and this has worried some as to whether or not individuals will begin to go to the black market to fuel their drug use. Either way you look at it, the legalization of cannabis in California is a large stepping stone to federal legality throughout the U.S.
Support for legal marijuana has also shot up tremendously during the past year. Many of those who voted against its use, have now made up the overwhelming majority of those in the U.S. that do in fact support the use and legalization of cannabis. Some studies have shown that as much as 67% of the public in the U.S. support legalizing weed, which could help to overturn our age old restrictions on the substance from a federal level.
During this year, Michigan became the first state in the whole of the Midwest to legalize the use of cannabis. Similarly to the legalization mentioned above, this is quite a big deal considering that other states have not done so in the surrounding area. The hopes are that this can help to push surrounding states to put in similar legislation in the coming years.
All in all, this year for cannabis has been quite legendary. With many states and nations around the world working to change their laws, cannabis looks like it is definitely here to stay.
MJShareholders.com is the largest dedicated financial network and leading corporate communications firm serving the legal cannabis industry. Our network aims to connect public marijuana companies with these focused cannabis audiences across the US and Canada that are critical for growth: Short and long term cannabis investors Active funding sources Mainstream media Business leaders Cannabis consumers


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Luxury fashion brand Burberry delights investors as the weak British pound drives tourists to its UK stores
- Sales at Burberry rose 4 per cent to £498million in the last three months
- It put it down to strong trading in the UK thanks to a rise in tourists
- Shares rose by 9 per cent in early trading to £21.54
Cara Delevingne wearing Burberry at London Fashion Week
Shares in Burberry took off on Tuesday as the luxury fashion brand – known for its raincoats and distinctive check pattern – notched up a better-than-expected sales rise.
The firm said it benefited from the weak pound as this encouraged tourists to flock to its UK stores to pick up the designs by new creative director Riccardo Tisci.
Tourists get a lot more bang for their buck in the UK at the moment with the pound hitting fresh lows against the dollar and the euro in recent months, as the risk of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit looms.
The firm said that this, plus growing momentum in the Riccardo collection and a stronger presence on social media, helped sales rise 4 per cent to £498million in the last three months.
Black leather sleeves designed by Riccardo and costing £170 were released as a limited edition and sold out in just 20 minutes.
Relieved investors snapped up shares on Tuesday – bumping the stock by 9 per cent to £21.54.
The group added that sales in the Asia Pacific market grew by ‘high single-digits’ – thanks to a strong performance in China. That’s despite being hit by the huge protests in Hong Kong.
But sales in the US were flat, and down in Canada.
‘Of course, flies in the ointment remain, and it will be important that these are dealt with effectively,’ comments Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor.
Burberry said tourists have been flocking to its stores in the UK to benefit from the weak pound
Hunter points to disappointing trading in its accessories department and Burberry’s full-year forecasts being dependent on a stable economic environment.
‘As such, a ‘no deal’ Brexit would have a material operational and financial impact on the business, which the company is part preparing for,’ he said.
‘More broadly, the full implications of the US/China tariff spat are yet to wash through fully to those economies and this could also have a negative impact.’
The rise in shares was much needed as the stock dropped 6 per cent over the last year.
In May, the group reported flat full-year sales of £2.72billion as trading slowed in China and it suffered the turbulence of changes in its top team.
Russ Mould from AJ Bell warned that while the business is ‘understandably pleased’ about the quarter, ‘fashion can be a fickle industry’.
‘Burberry still faces the risk that consumer tastes suddenly shift in favour of a different fashion seller. The turnaround story still has a long way to go and one positive quarter is not a reason to declare the business fixed,’ he said.


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Watchmaking industry prepares to unveil its showstoppers
We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Personal & Household Goods news every morning.
At time of writing the doors are closed, the turnstiles locked and the stands under construction. But behind the scenes, 2014 is shaping up to be a year of surprises with a flurry of new releases from watchmakers.
Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe, sounds a warning. “2014 is going to be a challenging year, in particular for companies that made opportunist, short-term choices of moving all interests in new markets,” he says.
“For us it was important to help our established markets before trying to develop new ones. This pays off today. The US market is catching up in a strong way.”
Among new launches from Patek Philippe at Baselworld will be what Mr Stern calls “interesting premiers in the segment of men’s steel complications”.
“This year we introduce a new steel Nautilus complicated model, combining the chronograph and two-time zones Travel Time indication,” says Mr Stern. “We also launch a first version in steel-on-steel bracelet of the Annual Calendar chronograph.”
2014 promises to be an interesting year for Jean-Claude Biver. Bernard Arnault, chief executive of LVMH, has appointed Mr Biver to oversee TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot.
Hublot, a sponsor of the Fifa World Cup, is launching a football chronograph. José Mourinho, the manager of Chelsea FC, is scheduled to present the watch at Baselworld.
Hublot has a knack for using new materials and this year will show osmium crystal in a watch.
“Osmium is the rarest metal on our planet,” says Mr Biver. “It is crystallised using a highly sophisticated process. This enables it to reach its melting point [3,033 degrees centigrade], changing its structure and transforming it into osmium crystal.”
Hermès is strengthening its presence in what it calls “time-to-dream territory”.
“For us the major highlight will be the presentation of a new complication which we call a singular complication,” says Luc Perramond, chief executive. This year’s launch, L’Heure Masquee – or veiled time – appears to show only passing minutes but on the press of a button the hour hand is revealed.
Jacquet Droz, the niche brand at Swatch Group, is more esoteric. The brand was known in the 18th century for automata – mechanical models – that were the centre of attention at the royal courts of Europe.
Last year, the brand created The Charming Bird, a moving sculpture captured in a timepiece. This year it is showing a “signing machine” the size of a smartphone. It promises to be the articulation of what Jacquet Droz calls “the art of astonishment”.
But such technical jeux d’esprit are underpinned by a serious mood.
The drift in recent years towards smaller watches is industry-wide and is noticeable in women’s watches. Dior, for example, has signalled a return to the petite femininity of small cases with the launch of a case that measures just 25mm across.
In men’s watches this trend has led to records being claimed for thinness. This January at the SIHH fair, Piaget claimed to have made the world’s thinnest mechanical watch and there will be similar claims at Baselworld this week.
Christian Lattmann, vice-president of Breguet, says: “We will present the final version of the extra-thin tourbillon that was presented last year as a prototype.” He describes it as “the thinnest automatic tourbillon in the world”.
However, Jean-Christophe Babin, chief executive of Bulgari, says that his brand’s new Octo Finissimo model “will be the slimmest tourbillon movement in watchmaking history, at 1.95mm, a world record”.
Nicolas Hayek’s announcement about 12 years ago that the Swatch Group would cut back on supplying its movements to competitor brands sent shockwaves through the industry.
Many new movement launches, such as the six movements announced over the past year by Ulysse Nardin, have their roots in decisions taken up to a decade ago, as the brand’s chief executive, Patrik Hoffmann, explains.
“Roll back 10 or 12 years ago when Hayek made the announcement and at that time Rolf W Schnyder [Ulysse Nardin’s late owner] made the decision to become independent.”
The vertical integration that many companies boast today can be traced to Swatch Group’s decision. While controversial at the time, there is a belief that it has shaped a more mature and interesting horological industry producing ever more advanced models.
Mr Hoffmann speaks for many when he says, “I think it is about more depth – not just complications. The history of a brand is very important and it matches what we are doing today.
“Today’s consumers value that and those true values count more than they did five or six years ago.”


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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (BRAIN) — G-Form has hired Bill Rudell has joined the company as the brand’s new sales and marketing manager. Rudell was most recently the North American PR manager for Cycling Sports Group.
“I’m very excited to welcome Bill to the G-Form family,” said Mark Ray, the company’s VP of sales. “His dynamic energy, knowledge of the sport and relationships within the bike industry are going to be a huge asset to G-Form.”
“I’m thrilled …read more


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The volume of parcels from foreign online stores grew by 25%
According to the Post of Russia, in January, the number of parcels from foreign online stores that were delivered by this postal operator increased by 25% over the same period last year. In quantitative terms, this is 35.9 million shipments, according to RBC.
A year ago, the growth was less active and amounted to 22.5%, rising from 23.5 million in 2017 to 28.8 million in 2018. “The high dynamics of January is explained by the increase in the duration of the peak period, which earlier fell at the end of November and December, and today covers three months - from November to January,” said the spokesman for the Post of Russia.
The volume of mail from abroad is growing despite the twofold decrease in the threshold of duty-free importation of foreign parcels. In addition to the Post of Russia, representatives of the international service DHL Express (the company delivers, in particular, from popular Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, Amazon, ShopBop) also speak about increasing the supply of foreign goods. According to statistics from DHL, the growth of overseas shipments in January 2019 was 20% compared with January 2018.
It is worth recalling that since January 2019, duty-free import into Russia is valid for foreign parcels costing up to 500 euros per month. Previously, the limit was 1,000 euros per month. Package weight should not exceed 31 kg. After the unlimited threshold is exceeded, the duty starts to work, its size is 30% of the excess amount and not less than 4 euro per kg.
In 2018, according to the Federal Customs Service, more than 341 million international postal items were issued. Most - and this is about 70% came in the package with small appliances, gadgets, clothes and shoes. Parcels with an average check from 10 to 22 euros account for 64% of all parcels. From 22 euros to 50 - 21%, from 50 to 150 - 11% and from 500 to 1000 euros - 1%. The percentage of more expensive parcels is low - about 0.4%.
It is worth noting that when the threshold of duty-free import of foreign parcels was raised, it was predicted that buyers would gradually switch to domestic online stores. But citizens of the Russian Federation spend a lot in Russia anyway, the fact is that in foreign online stores Russian buyers spend significantly less money. According to Aleksandr Ivanov, President of the National Association of Distance Trading, the average cross-border purchase check is only $ 9.
Russians respect the duty-free limit even when making purchases in those foreign stores that sell expensive goods. The average parcel check, according to Farfetch, in the third quarter of last year was about $ 584. In Yoox, Net-a-porter and even less - about $ 386.
At the same time, Russian buyers are not going to refuse foreign online shopping. The fact is that in any case, online shopping is cheaper for customers. In offline retail the number of intermediate chain links is much more than online. If even for parcels from the Internet you have to pay 30% more, anyway purchases in the foreign segment of the network will be more profitable in the end.
The regulator plans to simplify the payment of the fee. Since January 9, Russian Post and the Federal Customs Service have introduced a pilot project for collecting fees online. More than 90% of foreign marketplaces are planned to be connected to this project. According to the Post of Russia, this decision makes it possible to collect customs duties at the time of purchase.
Now, according to representatives of domestic online stores, including the premium segment, there is a significant influx of buyers. This, in particular, said the representative of the Central Department Store Anna Dubrovina. She said that the company noted an increased interest in its online store at the beginning of the year. This is due to the increase in the number of new customers who refuse to order on foreign online sites due to worsening conditions: higher prices for goods due to fees, a longer waiting time for goods and additional inconvenience - the need to pay the duties on their own, ”she explained. This is a significant increase in customers - orders received four to five times more than the average for the year.


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The driver shortage has reached crisis level in the UK, with demand increasing across supply chains as the country recovers from Covid-19. Leading voices within the logistics sector have been meeting with, and appealing to, the Government in an attempt to tackle the ever-increasing shortage of drivers within the sector. Unfortunately, positive outcomes seem few and far between. Here are our “Do’s and Don’ts” for tackling the obvious driver shortage in the UK supply chain.
DO Increase the Number of Overnight Parking Spaces
The lack of available overnight parking spaces has always been, and continues to be an obstacle in attracting more people to the industry. More than 1,400 HGV drivers are forced to spend the night sleeping in their vehicles every day. Despite previous assurances from the Government that provision of adequate locations for drivers to take their legally mandated rest breaks – including short stops and overnight stays – would be prioritised, a lack of progress means that drivers are still being forced to put themselves and their loads at risk. This can result in new entrants being deterred from applying for roles within the sector. Back in 2018, the government promised to supply 1,500 parking spaces for HGVs but is yet to deliver. Without safe and secure locations to take legally mandated rest stops, it’s difficult to attract new talent to the industry.
DO Improve Driver Testing
Currently a potential deterrent to new talent entering the sector, DVSA driver testing needs to be prioritised and the frequency of testing needs to be increased. This will hopefully then welcome a new wave of desperately needed drivers to the workforce. At the moment, the DVSA are facing a backlog of 25,000 tests that are estimated at current rates to take 27 weeks to perform (until the end of January 2022). However, new consultations propose allowing drivers to take one test to drive both an articulated and rigid lorry. This, says the Government, would streamline the process for new drivers to gain their HGV licence and would increase lorry test appointment availability. Although the Government has placed urgent focus on increased testing, the proposals for a reformation of the vocational driving test process to increase test capacity will take time to come into effect, and even longer before the full benefit can be felt.
DO Implement Flexible Delivery Times
The Government has also called on local councils to be flexible around delivery times relating to supermarkets and other retailers, which would allow drivers to make deliveries earlier in the morning or later in the evening where necessary. This relaxation of delivery hours combats reports of fresh food rotting in delivery depots due to a lack of haulage drivers to ship goods across the country, which has led to bare supermarket shelves in some regions.
DO Diversify The Workforce
Currently, it is estimated that less than 1% of the HGV drivers working on the UK’s roads are female. Looking at this statistic, it seems that there needs to be a bigger effort made to encourage women into the sector. How is the logistics industry meant to recover and grow if it’s only attracting male recruits? There is more to be done in attracting talent across all genders into the industry.
DON’T Simplify Training
Hauliers are wrongly criticised enough as it is in the media. When it comes to traffic accidents, HGV drivers are forced to take the brunt of the blame as their vehicle can cause the most damage; even though they have been disproved as the leading cause of traffic accidents. One only needs to take a look at the new ‘hierarchy’ of road users in the Highway Code to understand this. The last thing the logistics sector needs is undertrained drivers, so we need to ensure that testing is fair and abundant, but also appropriate.
DON’T Relax Driver Hours Further
The recently announced temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours rules allows HGV drivers to make slightly longer journeys, but this must only be used where necessary and must not compromise driver safety. This should not become permanent in any case, as the fixed hours ensure that drivers take enough breaks and get sufficient rest in order to maintain focus on the UK’s roads.