text:
- The U.S. Department of Justice is working to seize $465 million worth of Robinhood Markets Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) shares associated with Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the collapsed FTX cryptocurrency exchange.
- The prosecutors are not considering the 56 million Robinhood shares to be a part of the bankruptcy estate, U.S. Attorney Seth Shapiro told Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey, reported Reuters.
- According to Shapiro, competing claims to the Robinhood shares could be settled in a forfeiture proceeding.
- Meta Platforms Inc.'s (NASDAQ:META) Facebook is apparently working on making private sharing between friends more accessible.
- On Thursday, social media commentator Matt Navarra took to Twitter to share an update stating that Facebook is "leaning into private sharing with friends."
- Navarra's post was accompanied by a screenshot that showed an additional button on a meme post — "Send in Instagram Direct Message."
- Binance.US' proposed $1-billion purchase of beleaguered cryptocurrency platform Voyager Digital Ltd (OTC:VYGVF) is facing a limited objection from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- The SEC said that the Changpeng Zhao-led company's purchase agreement doesn't contain details on its ability to close the deal. The regulator sought more information on the company's business operations.
- Largest contract electronics maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd (OTC:HNHPF) Foxconn's December revenue dropped 12.3% year-on-year to NT$629.34 billion.
- Foxconn said revenue for December was better than expected and that a "gradual recovery" at its Zhengzhou plant had contributed to "double-digit growth" in revenue for its smart consumer electronics business compared to November.
- Foxconn said production at the factory in China "basically returned to normal" in December.
- Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) has partnered with the German energy company RWE AG (OTC: RWEOY) to develop large-scale value chains for low-carbon hydrogen jointly.
- The partners aim to replace coal-fired power plants with hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants in Germany.
- They will also build a low-carbon and renewable hydrogen production in Norway to be exported to Germany through pipelines.
- Sony Group Corp (NYSE:SONY) has unveiled the prototype of its electric vehicle brand, Afeela, which it built along with Honda Motor Co Ltd (NYSE:HMC).
- Sony Honda Mobility launched the prototype at the Las Vegas CES 2023 technology trade show.
- Afeela's exterior features a "Media Bar," which allows intelligent mobility to express itself to surrounding people using light, enabling interactive communication between mobility and people.
- British clothing company Next Plc has raised its profit forecast following better-than-anticipated sales in the Christmas period.
- The company noted that the strength of demand for cold weather products in December was partly a result of pent-up demand from an unusually warm October and November.
- Next anticipates the cost price inflation on like-for-like goods to peak at around 8% in the Spring Summer season, which will ease to 6% in the second half.
- Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc's (NASDAQ:WBA) Q1 FY23 sales decreased 1.5% Y/Y to $33.4 billion, up 1.1% on a constant currency basis, beating the consensus of $32.83 billion.
- Adjusted EPS reached $1.16, down 29.9% on a constant currency basis, reflecting higher COVID-19 vaccine volumes, beating the consensus of $1.13.
- The company swung to an operating loss of $6.2 billion compared to an operating income of $1.3 billion a year ago. Operating loss in the quarter reflects a $6.5 billion pre-tax charge for opioid-related claims and litigation.
- Roku Inc (NASDAQ: ROKU) launched a premium Roku TV OLED TV, reflecting its focus on working with leading TV brands to offer TVs a best-in-class streaming experience at affordable prices.
- Roku is the primary streaming hub for many Americans as a dominant maker of streaming boxes and dongles. Its operating system also powers many smart TVs.
- Roku faced growing competition in recent years from companies in the streaming industry.
- Roku derives most of its revenue from advertising. Roku sells all ads viewed on its streaming service, the Roku Channel.
- Dell Technologies Inc (NYSE:DELL) told suppliers to significantly reduce the amount of other "made in China" components in its products to diversify its supply chain amid concerns over U.S.-China tensions.
- Dell's goal is to have all chips used in its products produced in plants located outside China by 2024.
- Dell also asked suppliers of other components like electronic modules, print circuit boards, and product assemblers to help prepare capacity in countries beyond China, like Vietnam.
Wall Street Journal
- The year 2022 was tough for automakers as they had to contend with supply chain challenges and softening consumer demand.
- Industry-wide auto sales fell 8% year-over-year to 13.7 million vehicles in 2022.
- This marked the lowest number since 2011. Sales have come back notably from the 17 million+ mark seen for five years that preceded the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:WBA) is reportedly the first major national pharmacy chain to say it plans to dispense the abortion pill under the FDA's new rules.
- Other companies that may follow suit include CVS Health Corp (NYSE: CVS) and Rite Aid Corp (NYSE: RAD).
- Tuesday, the FDA said it would allow pharmacies to offer abortion pills, mifepristone, in the U.S. Pharmacies must complete a form for certification to distribute the abortion pills.
- Any pharmacy to become certified to dispense mifepristone, an FDA-approved medication for use up to 10 weeks in pregnancy.
- Ireland Data Protection Commission (DPC) penalized Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) €210 million for breaches of the GDPR relating to its Facebook service and €180 million for violations of its Instagram service.
- The inquiries concerned two complaints about the Facebook and Instagram services, each raising the same fundamental issues on 25 May 2018, the date the GDPR came into operation.
- Suppose a significant number of people opt out of ads powered with that behavioral data. In that case, prices for Meta's advertising could fall by 10% – 20% in a worst-case scenario, wiping 12% – 25% from the company's valuation, Morningstar analyst Ali Mogharabi wrote.
- ACI Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ:ACIW) is reportedly discussing a potential sale with private equity firms.
- The payments-software provider said it is working with financial advisers as it fields takeover interest. One of the people said there's no certainty ACI will reach a deal due to shaky leveraged financing markets.
- Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd (OTC:SSNLF) consumer-gadgets Vice Chair and co-CEO Han Jong-hee hoped the current industry downturn that affected the company's profit trajectory would begin to improve in the second half of 2023.
- Analysts expect Samsung to report 7.18 trillion South Korean won ($5.64 billion) in operating profit in the December quarter, down 50% Y/Y. However, some analysts are more bearish than the consensus.
- The pessimism stemmed from a rapid fall in NAND and DRAM memory prices due to demand softness for the products like PCs.
- Analysts expected a rebound in earnings in the second half of 2023 "along with an improving memory cycle and recovery in mobile demand."
What's your reaction?


text:
When Politico revealed the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 outfitting Sarah Palin and her family after she was picked as John McCain's running mate, one would assume it would be worthy of a brief, snarky story buried on the New York Times's "Caucus" page, filled mostly with anonymous Republicans griping about campaign spending priorities.
But Patrick Healy and Michael Luo's "$150,000 Wardrobe for Palin May Alter Tailor-Made Image" made the front page Thursday morning. (The other major papers had more self-control.) The Times played up what they saw as the hypocritical disconnect between Palin's "Joe-six-pack" appeal and the posh wardrobe from Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Yet Republicans expressed consternation publicly and privately that the shopping sprees on her behalf, which were first reported by Politico, would compromise Ms. Palin's standing as Senator McCain's chief emissary to working-class voters whose salvos at the so-called cultural elite often delight audiences at Republican rallies.
The hard-news Times even compiled an online slide show featuring Palin in various outfits, with photos accompanied by catty commentary like this:
But looking at the before-and-after photos, it was not readily apparent what Ms. Palin got from her shopping spree at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue....What the number $150,000 suggests is that Ms. Palin traded up to designer versions of the clothes she wore before stepping onto the national stage, a surprising implication for a candidate who emphasizes her appeal to working-class voters.
Columnist Mona Charen made the point at National Review Online that the Democrats aren't exactly dressing down:
Barack Obama's suits go for $1500 and that Michele wears designer duds all the time (except when appearing on The View when she boasted of wearing an under $200 dress).
Also at NRO, Lisa Schiffren explains why this was money well spent for the GOP. Women's fashion is a bit out of Times Watch's area of expertise, but it sounds good.

domain: news


text:
HD Supply, Atlanta, GA, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Industrial PVF business to Shale-Inland Holdings LLC, an affiliate of investment firms TowerBrook Capital Partners LP and The Stephens Group, LLC. The transaction is expected to close in March 2012.
|We Deliver Distribution News to Your Inbox
Sign up below to receive MDM Update, your free weekly distribution news update by email.
Annual revenue for the combined company is expected to be around $1 billion, Shale-Inland CEO Craig T. Bouchard told MDM.
“After careful evaluation, we determined that divesting our Industrial PVF business is in the best interests of our company as we seek to continue strengthening our industry-leading businesses,” said Joe DeAngelo, CEO of HD Supply. “The Industrial PVF team, with the expertise of its many seasoned industry veterans, has done a tremendous job and they can be proud that this new chapter is the result of the momentum they have built and the success of their initiatives.”
Once the sale is complete, the proceeds from the transaction will provide HD Supply with additional financial and strategic flexibility to further strengthen its portfolio of industry-leading businesses.
“As evidenced by HD Supply’s performance in 2011 and so far in 2012, we’re pleased with the strategic and financial results that the company has been able to achieve. We will continue to invest in our company to drive organic growth, review potential acquisitions that would fuel growth in adjacent verticals and product categories, as well as expand our geographic footprint,” added DeAngelo. “We remain committed to positioning HD Supply for future success by building our reputation in the marketplace, delivering quality products and providing outstanding customer service.”


text:
May 9, 2013Stewart represents New York Apple Association
New York Apple Association (NYAA) has named Julia Stewart as the association’s spokeswoman. Stewart assumed the role in March. She has been supporting NYAA’s public relations activities since May 2012.
Stewart’s responsibilities include planning and executing media outreach activities to promote New York apples, representing the association to consumer and trade media and providing strategic communications counsel to NYAA senior management.
Stewart works closely with NYAA President Jim Allen, Marketing Director Molly Golden and Nutrition spokeswoman Linda Quinn.
Stewart previously directed public relations for both U.S. Apple Association (USApple) and Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Stewart has consulted for numerous other apple and produce industry organizations, including PMA, Produce for Better Health Foundation and Pear Bureau Northwest.
She is based near Washington, D.C.


text:
Moving Past a Layoff by Starting a Non-Profit
Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email 0 Comments Comments
August 5, 2009, The New York Times — Since my last post, I’ve heard differing views on starting my own business. Many people warned about the rate of failure, liability and the difference between running your own business versus managing someone else’s.
To read this article in full, click here.


text:
Apple and Samsung collectively sold almost 17.5 million fewer smartphones globally in the opening quarter of 2019 than they managed a year ago as buyer fatigue continued.
The pair's premium handsets were among the biggest losers in a market that shrank from 383.5 million units 12 months ago to 373 million, such were the lack of reasons for shoppers to upgrade to the latest gear.
Gartner senior research director Anshul Gupta, who compiled the data, said the slowing pace of innovation in flagship devices coupled with rising prices deflated unit sales.
"Demand for premium smartphones remained lower than for basic smartphones*, which affected brands such as Samsung and Apple that have significant stakes in high-end smartphones," he said.
Apple iPhone sales down by double digits, Mac sales knifed by Intel CPU 'constraints'READ MORE
The two biggest smartphone consumers, the US and China, declined 15.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively in the three months.
Sammy found a new home for 71.62 million mobiles in the quarter, down 8.8 per cent or 6.943 million fewer devices. This meant the South Korean vendor's share of the spoils slipped to 19.2 from 20.5 per cent.
The flagship Galaxy S10 started to ship at the end of the quarter so its contribution to the sales period barely touched the dial. Samsung also refreshed the middle and entry-level tiers but competition from Chinese brands "limited their impact", said Gupta.
Huawei – despite the best efforts of rival vendors and the US government – again knocked Apple into third spot, growing 44.5 per cent to 58.43 million units.
Huawei grew in all regions – except the US – but did particularly well in its biggest geographies of Europe and China, where sales bounced 69 and 33 per cent respectively. In Greater China, Huawei enjoys a 29.5 per cent market share.
Of course, this double-digit expansion was way before President Trump signed an executive order that effectively bans US tech firms from dealing with the Chinese-owned businesses. The ban does not start until 19 August and could cripple some companies, including Huawei.
Google has said it will comply with the order by pulling access to Play Store and other services from future Huawei mobile hardware. Huawei itself is seeking ways to mitigate the impact, though some analysts have already issued forecasts for falling smartphone sales.
Gartner's Gupta said: "Unavailability of Google apps and services on Huawei smartphones, if implemented, will upset Huawei's international smartphone business which is almost half of its worldwide phone business. Not the least it brings apprehension among buyers, limiting Huawei's growth in the near term."
During Q1, Apple saw the biggest dent in sales of all the major players, slumping as it did 17.6 per cent to 44.56 million units, despite the best efforts of senior management to ignite demand.
"The price cut for iPhones across markets helped drive up demand but wasn't enough to restore growth in the first quarter," said Gupta. "Apple is facing longer replacement cycles as users struggle to see enough value benefits to justify replacing existing iPhones."
Apple CEO Tim Cook said last autumn that iPhone buyers were holding onto their phones for an additional three to four months, and he has also blamed the battery replacement programme for slower sales. The US trade tariffs applied to $250bn worth of goods imported from China and the general rhetoric from Trump's administration might also be turning Chinese consumers against the US vendor behind their once-beloved iPhone.
The company found itself with millions of units of excess inventory following slower-than-expected demand over the vital Christmas holiday quarter, suggesting it is going to be a record year for the iPhone but for all the wrong reasons.
Rounding off the top five highest selling smartphone vendors in Q1 was OPPO and Vivo, with sales of 29.6 million and 27.3 million each, up 7.3 and 6.1 per cent respectively. ®
* Gartner classifies a basic smartphone as a "voice-centric" mobe with a 4-inch screen and a resolution of 720p or higher, aimed at emerging markets and first-time buyers. A utility phone is an entry-level gadget that is generally low cost with limited specs and functions, targeting emerging markets and phone virgins, and is often used for pre-paid subscriptions.


text:
Circleville – Cristy’s Pizza has reported that they have closed after one customer found some live bugs in her food.
A local told Sciotopost yesterday that she found live bugs in her food and went back to the store and reported it. Soon after finding one live bug, she found a second one. We told her to contact the health department and possibly General Management.
According to the customer, she said that management at the store, “didn’t even deny the infestation, but did apologize it happened to her.”
General Management contacted the local customer after she reached out and said that “they have no knowledge this was going on.” and said they would close to fumigate the restaurant.


text:
Salon Privé is back in London this week with a new venue, more exhibitors than ever and an impressive line-up of exotica.
At its new venue of Syon Park, the luxury and supercar show is a world away from traditional show halls of Frankfurt and Geneva. Syon Park’s lawns today played host to cars including the Range Rover Evoque, Lamborghini Aventador and Morgan Threewheeler.
There was a distinctly British flavour to Salon Privé, with organisers wanting to create an intimate “English garden party” theme. As well as the Evoque, Jaguar Land Rover brought with it its latest versions of the XF and XK, including the hardcore XFR and XKR-S models.
Aston Martin showcased its new Virage and V8 Vantage S models in the UK for the first time, while there were also UK debuts for the electric Rolls-Royce 102EX and the revised Bentley Continental GT.
The final production version of the Noble M600 made its debut at Salon Privé too, where it lined up alongside supercar rivals in the shape of Ferrari’s 458 Italia and the aforementioned Aventador. Lamborghini also gave UK showgoers their first look at the hardcore open-top Gallardo Performante.
Eclipsing them all in the power stakes – and on show in the UK for the first time - was the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the world’s fastest production car.
Autocar has spent the day at the exclusive event to bring you the best pics of the show stars.


text:
The familiar blue and white logo of the United States Postal Service has brought a feeling of dread to some of the residents of a Jersey Shore town lately. For the past 4 months, neighbors along a mail route extending to the bay area in Margate City have experienced irregularities in their mail delivery service -- and it's affecting their lives.
“I would just like some consistent service, relatively on-time delivery, and mail delivered to the correct address…I don’t think that’s asking for a lot,” said Bruno Munizza, one of the residents affected by these mail errors.
The route, comprised of primarily full-time residents in a city that has a widely seasonal occupancy, was originally considered a traditional route, meaning that a single mail carrier serviced the region.
Four months ago, however, the route was changed to an auxiliary route, which means different mail carriers service the area each day. This constant change prevents a mail carrier from learning the addresses of their particular route, leading to simple mistakes in the delivery of the mail.
Since the change in the service, residents have reported not receiving mail for days at a time, mail being delivered in the middle of the night, missing checks and bills and untimely prescription deliveries.
Another resident, Sondra Altman, said her mail is consistently delivered to Winchester Avenue, but she lives on Winchester Road. When she and her husband both had medical testing done on the same day and were supposed to receive their results by mail. Her husband has already received his results she said, but Sondra’s are lost in the mail.
“I drew a map of where my house is located so the substitute letter carriers would know where to deliver my mail,” said Sondra. “I’m right down the street from the post office, the mailmen park in front of my house. Is it unreasonable to expect my mail to be delivered to my address?”
For Celeste Nicolo, her mail was delivered numerous times to an address on Frontenac Avenue instead of her Franklin Avenue home, which is also down the street from the Margate City Post Office. She claims she's gone two days without receiving any mail at all, causing her to pay her bills late.
“We [Nicolo and her neighbors] are running around delivering mail to each other’s houses,” Nicolo said. “I don’t think we should be doing the Post Office’s job.”
United States Postal Service Corporate Communications representative Ray Daiutolo said that the manager of the Margate Branch Post Office has promised to investigate.
"Our goal is to deliver the nation’s mail securely, accurately and efficiently every day," Daiutolo said. "The mishandling of any mail is certainly unintentional, and we work very hard to eliminate such mistakes when brought to our attention. We value our customer concerns and want to assure them we will explore their concerns. We will make extended efforts to improve upon our performance."
Daiutolo said that there is a record of customers having contacted the Postmaster in Atlantic City, who oversees the Margate City Branch. He also noted that Consumer Affairs for USPS is currently assisting one customer along the route.


text:
Google has made a rating of search queries speech “OK, Google!” earned for English-speaking users in the past year. According to Lenta, applications that frequently open up the users voice assistant, was the YouTube social network “Vkontakte”, the online store Google Play, the search engine Yandex and social network “Schoolmates”.
As found in Google, among the leading personalities such requests, as Putin, Pushkin, Lenin, Stalin and Obama. First among translation requests (“how to be English”) appears the word “mom” on the second and third — “the hare” and “rooster”, respectively. Followed by the words “dog” and “dad”.
Voice assistant works in mobile apps Google search engine for iOS and Android. Search by voice in English — in particular, to issue and say aloud the answers to some types of requests — was launched in may 2014.
You can ask about the organizations, routes, weather, and so on. On voice queries instead of typing links mobile Google will give a ready answer.
Feature available to users of devices on Android version 4.1 and higher, and iOS versions 6 and above. In addition, voice search in Russian language is possible using the app for the Google Chrome browser on desktop computers.
Voice search has recently been the scene of intense competition between key developers of mobile platforms. In addition to Google voice search supports virtual assistant Google Now, which can also be controlled by voice. Apple has similar assistant Siri, and Microsoft is a new similar service Cortana. The voice search is implemented in a mobile application “Yandex” and Mail.Ru.


text:
After more than a year of quarterly revenue declines, Nvidia Corp. is finally expected to return to growth just before potentially announcing its next round of new products.
Nvidia NVDA, -1.04% is scheduled to report earnings after the close of markets on Thursday, and revenue is expected to increase for the first time in more than a year. Nvidia’s largest segment, gaming, and the business that has seemed most important to investors in recent years, data-center chips, are expected to drive the growth.
Data-center sales have been one of the most widely watched sectors in the chip industry this earnings season, after a decline in infrastructure sales in 2019 led to doubts about the cloud boom. Earlier in earnings season, Intel Corp. INTC, -1.59% reported a surprise jump in its data-center sales, while Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AMD, +0.83% reported that data-center sales were strong even though those results were masked by being lumped together with poor console sales.
Reporting after those two rivals means the bar has been raised for Nvidia. Instinet analyst David Wong, who has a hold rating and a $147 price target on Nvidia, expects data-center sales growth to be strong, but only against the “easy” comparisons of last year’s disappointment.
“We continue to think that its GPU products might only address a portion of the data center processor/accelerator market,” Wong said. “We will be interested to see if Nvidia will be able to demonstrate superior year-over-year growth in its data center segment when the comparisons become more difficult, beginning in the October 2020 quarter.”
Nvidia will follow up this earnings report with its annual GTC conference in March, at which new products are expected to be announced. Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers, who has an overweight rating and


text:
Roblox Advertising Is Reportedly Designed to Exploit Users
Once again Roblox, the enfant terrible of the gaming industry, is in the middle of a scandal. This time it’s about undisclosed advertising that, according to the report by Truth in Advertising, flourishes on the platform. Ad-supported games, as well as hidden advertising activity on Roblox, are described in a 44-page report issued by the watchdog group.
Examples of hidden advertising include multiple cases of undisclosed advertising activity. Basically, it means that players (many of them are children) are exposed to games made for marketing purposes or containing advertising materials. Among brands that promote their products on Roblox, there are major toy and game vendors like Hasbro and Mattel. Speaking of video game developers, the most prominent one is Sega which recently launched its Sonic Speed Simulator on Roblox.
Normally, these advertising “experiences” (as Roblox prefers to put them) should be marked as such, as we see on social media like Instagram or Facebook. Yet on Roblox, it’s not always the case. If you search for something on Roblox, promoted projects and “real” games are shown without any indication of their advertising nature.
Another example of undisclosed advertising is the presence of brand ambassadors that act like regular users. For example, according to the report, Nike has been caught on hiring such ambassadors that boast their “bought” virtual and real Nike products.
It’s just another on the list of scandals about Roblox. Previously it was caught on its deceptive policy about creator revenues which resulted in exploiting developers, including minors. Another disclosure regarded harassment and bullying within the community that Roblox did not properly address. Now, it’s about ads.
Have you noticed anything like this on Roblox? What do you think about hidden advertising? Share your opinion with us in the comments!


text:
THE Government’s proposal to implement a ban on vape sale which will be tabled in Parliament in July is unfair to the local vape industry, said the Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA).
Vape and traditional cigarettes are two completely different products and should not be regulated the same way, argued MVIA president Rizani Zakaria.
“The decision made by the Health Ministry (MOH) to equate the vape and tobacco industry by imposing a ban on products is unfair to the vape industry,” he commented.
“Internationally, various studies have shown that the two products are vastly different. In fact, it has been proven that vape is less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can help smokers quit smoking.”
Public Health England, United Kingdom’s (UK) health agency has also reported that vape is 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
“This data has been recognised by other countries such as Canada, New Zealand and various public health bodies around the world. In fact, recently in the UK, vape was proposed to be a smoking cessation treatment tool,” Rizani remarked.
He added that MOH is still adamant and refuses to look at the science and facts released at the international level despite this evidence being raised by various parties.
“MVIA recommends that MOH and the Government take transparent steps in this matter and seek views and evidence from medical experts from abroad such as the UK, New Zealand and Canada, instead of choosing to listen to the opinions of the anti-vape industry only.”
Rizani also reiterated that vape industry regulations have been delayed since 2015. In fact, based on the Budget 2022 tabling, taxation and regulations for the vape industry should be enforced in January this year.
“To date, no action has been taken. MOH has not issued any vape guidelines for the industry to prepare for regulations, and has not conducted any consultation sessions with members from the industry,” said Rizani.
In the tabling of Budget 2022 Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that the Government will implement a tax of RM1.20 per milliliter for vape liquids, which will take effect in January 2022.
“However, this move was postponed to an uncertain date because MOH has not introduced any regulations for the vape industry,” Rizani pointed out.
“Previously, the industry shared that the taxation level announced is too high and requested that the Government review the tax rate. The high tax rate will increase the prices of vape products dramatically and this will negatively impact the industry.
“Until now, we have not received a response from the Government on this matter and now MOH wants to propose a ban on vape sales for the long-term.
“The vape industry is requesting the Government have more discussions regarding the policy for the vape industry and we are always open to any discussion.” – April 28, 2022


text:
The ITRC has been educating consumers about the real risk of identity theft since 1999. One of the notions that the general public has is that identity theft can’t or won’t happen to them. There are a variety of reasons that people will cite, such as “I don’t have good credit,” “my identity isn’t worth stealing,” and “I don’t make enough money to be an attractive target.” While these sound like logical reasons, the fact is that your identity can be valuable outside of just the financial realm. Read More
receive privacy industry news
- April 01, 2015, Tell Us Your Story: “I Was Hacked” Facebook Series
- No Featured
questions + feedback
Have a question or a privacy issue that you'd like us to investigate ? Send an to our editors with your comments.
Do you think it’s legal to collect data transmitted over unencrypted WiFi networks? Google does. That’s why it has gone to the highest court in the land to get a final decision on one of the most hotly debated legal issues of our time. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Google and for WiFi users everywhere. Read More
Let’s start with the good news: you are still safe. The latest Heartbleed situation -- which is a software bug, not a virus -- has not endangered the privacy and security of our customers' communications.
But one of our industry's most respected security analysts claims "catastrophic" is the right word for Heartbleed, because "on the scale of 1 to 10, this is an 11." Read More
How likely are you to lose your job? What are the odds that you will take that medication your doctor prescribed to you? Are you the kind of person who will take your business to a competitor?
These are not just abstract questions. They are actual secret “consumer scores” that big data compiles on you and every adult in the U.S. to help companies and the government predict your behavior. Read More
Have you heard of Heartbleed? This is a big deal if you care about your online security, as attackers can steal your website login information as well as other sensitive information like any credit card information exchanged with an online retailer website like Amazon and others.
What can you do? Keep reading. Read More
No one expects to get a $600 bill for basic wireless Internet service. But according to CBC News, that’s exactly what happened to Darlene Davies of Chilliwack, British Columbia. Davies normally pays $60 a month to use Rogers unsecured Rocket hub WiFi hotspot access point at home. So she was shocked when her monthly bill arrived and it was for 10 times that amount.
Davies said she didn’t know she had to add password protection to secure her home WiFi network. That left the door wide open for piggybackers to hop on her WiFi and rack up a huge bill. Read More
Parents, kids; we're all online. And lately? More than ever. A survey from both LifeLock and the National PTA found that 72% of children 8 and under had access to mobile media in 2013, compared to 38% in 2011. Most concerning to parents is the dangerously high risk of young kids being exposed to damaging content or cybercriminals. Read More
Should we allow public WiFi networks to be used for surveillance purposes? Should law enforcement be allowed to store mobile-device data on all citizens (not just those involved in an investigation)? If you agree that we all have an inherent right to privacy, check out this article about what the Seattle police are doing now. Read More
Bad habits? Risky behaviors? What you don't know about cloud computing could hurt your company. Check out the findings from a new study that suggests that employees who use these applications are exposing their organizations to security breaches and data losses at a much higher rate than non-cloud users. Read More


text:
What's better than a delicious cone of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? Getting free ice cream to bring awareness to an important cause!
What’s better than a cone of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream? Getting free ice cream to bring awareness to an important cause!
Ben & Jerry’s will be giving away more than a million scoops of ice cream this Tuesday, April 9th, for the company’s annual Free Cone Day. Ben & Jerry’s says they dish out the free treats to thank their fans for “being so uniquely awesome.”
This year, Free Cone Day will take place at the Davidson location at 202 South Main Street from noon until 8 p.m.
The best part? “There’s no limit to the number of scoops you get, as long as you get back in line each time.”
“We love getting involved with and giving back to our communities. That’s why we’re partnering with Davidson Life Line to raise awareness and support for Supporting suicide prevention and mental health awareness in our community,” said Karen Toney, Award winning Scoop Shop Manager of Ben & Jerry’s of Davidson. “It’s amazing what we can do together over shared values and several scoops of ice cream.”


text:
Abinader defines job creation as “The Government’s main objective”
President Luis Abinader defined this morning the creation of jobs as the main objective of the Government during the inauguration of the Hispaniola Industrial Free Zone in the municipality of Guerra, where the facilities of Velas Hispaniolas are located.
Abinader valued the start-up of the park, saying that “an inauguration like this is the objective of our government, the creation of new jobs.”
He emphasized the legal security offered by the country. He reiterated the Government’s support for these initiatives saying that “any investor who wants to create more jobs, we will support him.”
The governor recognized the work of the thousands of employees who work in the free zone sector. He highlighted their dedication: “every time I go and see Dominicans working and earning their salary efficiently and honestly, it makes me very happy.”
He indicated that the expansion of Velas Hispaniola would add 700 new jobs, for a total of 1,500 jobs in the industrial park.
Guerra’s free trade zone can generate up to 15,000 new jobs in the coming years, and the factory’s production is 1.3 million candles per day, which are exported to more than 40 destinations, including the United States, the Caribbean, Central, and South America, Australia and Europe.
The group that leads the Hispaniola Industrial Free Zone with Haitian capital has invested more than 5,500 million pesos in an initial area of 315,000 square feet, which have been built to house the new facilities of the company Velas Hispaniola.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Victor-Ito-Bisonó, highlighted that the free zones have been registering record export figures for five consecutive months despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that in the second half of 2020, free zone exports registered a 4.4% growth compared to the same period in 2019.
The official affirmed, “A growth that does not demand vaccines, a growth that proves beyond any reasonable doubt that free zones have a resilience capacity superior to any other sector of our economy.”
Bisonó said that the growth of exports “shows the confidence that national and foreign investors have in the country.”
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Victor-Ito-Bisonó, highlighted that the free trade zones have been registering record export figures for five consecutive months despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
For his part, Arturo Peguero, director of the Hispaniola Free Zone Park, assured that the infrastructure is at 95% development.
“We hope that in a few months, the park will be finished, and then we will start the marketing and promotion work with the support we have found in this Government,” said Peguero.
For his part, Errol Bulos, director of operations of Velas Hispaniola, thanked the warmth of the Dominicans for their welcome and the support he has received from the government of President Abinader. “The development and success of this venture have been based on the confidence offered by the country and its free zone model to foreign investments,” said Bulos.
DR is the second-largest exporter of candles from LA.
Velas Hispaniola began operations in the country in 2003 and is part of a variety of new investments that have been announced in the sector in recent weeks. With the expansion of the new Hispaniola Industrial Free Zone Industrial Park, which houses the Velas Hispaniola facilities, the plant becomes the largest in Latin America.
With the production of Velas Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic has become the second-largest exporter of candles from Latin America to the world.


text:
When presenting, Thursday, October 29, the measures adopted by the government to help companies whose activity will slow down due to confinement, Bruno Le Maire took a serious tone. “This confinement is a blow to all the businesses that will be closed as of tomorrow. I am thinking in particular of the 200,000 businesses that will be forced to close”, launched the Minister of the Economy.
Bruno Le Maire promised these professionals “that the economic support of the State will be even stronger than during the first confinement” decided to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. What will these measures consist of, costed by the government at 15 billion euros per month? Franceinfo recaps.
A strengthened solidarity fund for SMEs
The solidarity fund for companies will be reactivated and expanded, in order to compensate for the closures linked to the reconfinement measures, announced the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire.
“All businesses and businesses that will be closed by administrative decision may receive compensation of up to 10,000 euros. This will no longer concern businesses up to 10, but up to 50 employees”, said Bruno Le Maire.
This aid may also apply to businesses which do not close, but which “suffer a loss of turnover of at least 50%”, specified the minister, taking the example of hotels, authorized to open but which expect losses “very high”. Finally, the self-employed will be able to claim, “like in March”, to aid of up to 1,500 euros per month, added the minister, indicating that the solidarity fund will in total be endowed with around 6 billion euros.
Social security contribution exemptions for companies affected by confinement
Bruno Le Maire also announced a “total exemption” social contributions for companies with less than 50 employees affected by administrative closures. Tourism and event companies will also be able to benefit from it “when they lose 50% of their turnover”, said the Minister of the Economy.
Independents whose activity will be stopped because of confinement will see “their withdrawals automatically suspended, and they will not have to do any administrative steps”.
A tax credit for owners of commercial premises who forgo one month’s rent
In order to encourage the owners of commercial premises to show solidarity, those who will give up “at least one month’s rent” between October and December for some companies will benefit from a tax credit, he also announced.
The companies concerned are those of “less than 250 employees” who “are administratively closed” where belong “to the hotel, café, restaurant and cultural sectors”, said Bruno Le Maire. Donors will be able to benefit from a tax credit representing “30% of the amount of abandoned rents”.
Partial unemployment maintained
As planned, the government has confirmed that the partial activity scheme will be extended until December 31, with zero remaining charges for the employer for “all protected areas or areas that are subject to administrative closure”, such as cafes, bars, restaurants, or even sports halls.
The other companies having recourse to partial unemployment will see their remains chargeable maintained at 15%, whereas it was initially supposed to rise to 40% at the beginning of November, note The echoes.
In total, the cost of this device for the State was estimated at 7 billion euros by Bruno Le Maire.
Easier access and repayment for loans guaranteed by the State
As announced a few days ago by Jean Castex, companies that wish to take out a loan guaranteed by the State will be able to do so until the end of June, instead of December 31, as initially planned. These loans could reach 10,000 euros for companies with less than 10 employees, and 50,000 euros for companies with 10 to 49 employees.
SMEs which have already taken out a loan guaranteed by the State, and who saw with concern the arrival of the first repayment deadline in March 2021, will be able to defer their payment for one year, and therefore start repaying their credit in March. 2022.
“Concretely, a restaurateur, a florist, a bodybuilder, or a bookseller who would not be able to repay his guaranteed loan from March 2021 will be able, after examination by the bank, to wait until 2022 before starting the repayment of the capital.”Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy
Last important detail: companies that choose to postpone their reimbursement will not be considered in default by the bank, as is usually the case, said Bruno Le Maire.


text:
Bethesda Softworks has now officially announced that YouTube star Shirley Curry, also known as ‘Skyrim Grandma’, will make an appearance in The Elder Scrolls 6. She’s going to be one of the NPC characters.
This decision is a result of a fan petition which has received over 45,000 signatures as of now. Bethesda revealed this inclusion in the game while discussing the photogrammetry technology in its video series shown at PAX East’s The Elder Scrolls 25th Anniversary Panel.
We will be seeing Grandma in the upcoming Elder Scrolls game with the photogrammetry technology, which scans real-life objects and turns them into high-quality and detailed 3D in-game objects. This technology will also be used for creating in-game environments.
At 8:40 mark in the video, Curry says that “this means a lot to me”. “Because I will be very happy to know someone will play with my character in the latest Elder Scrolls” She added.
In case you don’t know, Curry became an internet celebrity at the age of 80 and by uploading videos of her playing Skyrim on Youtuber platform. She currently has over 483,000 subscribers and continues to post more videos and VLOGs while talking about Bethesda’s game.
She confirmed herself as one of the characters in the game on Twitter recently and also showed off a tee shirt she got from Bethesda while visiting the studio. She said:
Well, since they made the announcement today about me, as a character in the next TES game …I can show my favorite thing I brought away with me!!!
It’s a great gift for the Youtuber since her birthday is just a few days away. This is also great news for all those who thought that the game’s development hasn’t even started.
There’s very little that we know about the next game in the Elder Scrolls series. It’s rumored to be named Elder Scrolls 6 Redfall but if that’s true, things are not looking nice.
Previously, we reported that Jay Falconer, the author of post-apocalyptic book series is disputing over the Redfall name which is a trademark filed by Bethesda Game Studios.
Redfall is a post-apocalyptic novels series published by BookBreeze.com. Because of this dispute, the game can possibly be delayed as late as 2021 until the whole matter is resolved. The company won’t be even able to use the “Redfall” name for marketing references until then.
Despite all that, it seems that the game’s development is going on smoothly and we are expecting to hear more about it at E3 2019.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and on Xbox Scarlett and PlayStation 5.


text:
Work is nearly complete on the Loopy Wool studio.If the weather co-operates we will be opening in the coming weeks.
Located at 2909 Fredericton road, in Salisbury, New Brunswick.
Loopy Wool has operated out of Chris' house for the past 8 years, growing and taking up more and more space. Only recently did she consider opening a studio space, and after exploring retail options in the Moncton area, she decided to take the big step of building the perfect space to meet all of Loopy Wool's needs.
The location was chosen for a number of reasons, including being easy to reach, having adequate space and lots of parking, and being in the community Chris grew up in.
Stay tuned for more updates on the construction and plans for New Brunswick's newest wool shop!


text:
Blenheim Pharmacy in Luton now has new owners after being sold for an undisclosed price to brother and sister pharmacists Rohola and Mitra Azimi, who live in the area.
Situated on Blenheim Crescent, it's a 100-hour community pharmacy dispensing upwards of 11,000 items per month, with a total income in excess of £1.5 million.
The previous owners, Prab Channa of Castle Shaw Ltd who recently purchased Priory Pharmacy in Kent, decided to sell Blenheim Pharmacy to fully relocate to the area.
Carl Steer, director of medical at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, said: “Sales of 100-hour pharmacies across the UK for the past two to three years have been sparse. Quite often, to attract interest, the business needs to be established, profitable and valued at the correct level.
"Blenheim ticked all of these boxes and, despite the obstacle of a short lease, having a client who was pro-active and organised made the process much smoother. It was not an easy deal but, when seller, agent and advisors work as a team, it only had one outcome; a successful completion.”
Dave Ward, Senior Director at Christie Finance, who secured funding for the buyers, said: “Lenders have appreciated the re-emergence of pharmacies during the pandemic as playing an integral role within local communities. T
"They are cautious, though, of the ability for businesses to continue to provide essential services once this peak has subsided. It is essential, therefore, to demonstrate that the underlying business is rock solid and that owners are not just relying on COVID-related income.”


text:
CasualCafé announced the ready availability of its games as Facebook apps. The games included Spyde Solitaire and Burdalo. With this announcement Casual Café joins the line of various other companies publishing games on Facebook Platform, something that has gained widespread popularity since Facebook opened its platform last year. This announcement was made in the Facebook F8 conference, one that we had reported about last week.
The platform provides a new way for emerging companies to build applications and amalgamate them with Facebook, making them accessible to more than 80 million users. Isn’t that the most reliable marketing tactic, guaranteeing them a user-base in millions the moment they are up and ready?
CasualCafé has received no external funding (as has been mentioned in their press release), prior its launch. The monetization is to be relied upon ad revenues. Michael Scholz, founder of CasualCafe said:
We started CasualCafe two years ago with the intent to build on our head-to-head competitive online game expertise. PC-based games were offering diminishing revenue to developers. But social games are a new market and an emerging business opportunity. CasualCafe’s history of developing competitive games makes our content a natural fit for Facebook Platform.
The games offered are built on CasualCafe’s flash game engine and have been designed for the new Facebook design and offer unique achievements that include game points to reward users. Scholz further added:
Our intent is to deliver unique games that are easy to learn, but reward users who spend the time to master them. And the benefit of Facebook Platform integration is that players can play with or against their friends in a casual setting. More than fifty percent of Facebook users visit the site daily. Our application is one cooler thing for them to do while they are online.


text:
What's in Nintendo's conference?
15th Jun 2010 | 14:00
Nintendo's press conference is just moments away so we've given you our thoughts on what we're most looking forward to. With the Kinect looking very, shall we say, familiar, it'll be interesting to see what's coming for Wii that will see it pull away from the crowd yet again. Of course, there's the 3DS. How well will it work? Does it really have graphics comparable to PS3 and 360? All the answers will flow in from 5pm. Read our predictions for the presentation below and check back later to see if we got it right.
Oh my goodness! We can barely take it. With everything we've already heard about the Nindendo 3DS it is quickly becoming our announcement of E3. 3D (obviously), graphics as good as the HD consoles and all this without the need for glasses. Here's to not looking like a complete twerp on the bus on the way back from the shops on launch day.
Violent game haters look away now...Komodo's RapidShot is the first videogame peripheral to carry an age restriction. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that it's being revealed at E3 under the Wii banner. That said it's not like Nintendo are short of action games with MadWorld, No More Heroes and Modern Warfare 2: Reflex on their books. What ever the critics may say, we're looking forward to the RapidShot reigniting dusty memories of Duck Hunt on the original NES.
Legend of Zelda Wii:
Lots of publications are already throwing their money at this being the biggest single game announcement of this summer's E3. With so little known about it, we're close to agreeing with them. Legend of Zelda on the Wii is set to be the biggest release the Nintendo has ever had with only Super Mario Galaxy 2 challenging it for the crown. We've been told to expect big things from E3. Well we won't exactly be setting our expectations very low now will we?
Metroid: The Other M:
The Metroid showcase at E3, if there's going to be one, could give the audience a bit of a headache. Promising, 2D, 3D, and, first and third person perspectives it already sounds like a game that's going to have a lot going on onscreen. Considering the sci-fi action-adventure's legacy and the screenshots we've already seen so far we're sure it'll be about as far away from being a pain and much more of a pleasure to play. We're especially excited about having a go on the ball rolling puzzle areas of the game. That and all the space age shooting practise.
After EA released its E3 line-up it dawned on us just how much we're itching to get our hands on NBA Jam. Confirmed at the beginning of the year and not expected until October time at the earliest, this remake of the classic 1993 is looking so good...it's on fire! Sorry. But really, we're excited. Nintendo may have just pulled off a coup by securing it as an exclusive too.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
As a special trailer was released just days before E3 we got the feeling Nintendo is trying to get the hype machine turning for its new Final Fantasy instalment on the DS. The 4 Heroes of Light is going to have a simpler control system and will see a return to turn based battles after the FFXIII. The DS may only be a little machine but it's certainly cranking up the excitement levels for next week. Will this be available on the 3DS? We can only wait and see.
The countdown for the return of the cutest RTS ever started back in March when we announced that Shigeru Miyamoto told our good friends at ONM that Pikmin 3 development was "well under way". This can only mean that we're going to at least get a sneaky peek at the next scavenger management game, maybe even a little play. Either way, one of the most successful modern franchises for Nintendo is going to return with a bang at E3 we're sure.
The original Scribblenaunts stole our hearts, and scored a massive 9/10, when it was released in October last year so we were thrilled to hear last month that a sequel was already in development. And then we started thinking: How many more vocabulary generated tools will they dream up to use? What if it supports the new 3DS? Will we be able to see our summoned creations in glorious 3D? So many questions, hopefully we'll get some answers soon.
Animal Crossing 3DS:
Probably the hottest piece of press off the rumour mill concerning Nintendo's supposed showcase at E3 came just last week when it was revealed that the Japanese gaming giants have been using a 3DS version of Animal Crossing to coax developers into designing new software for the much-hyped handheld. If Animal Crossing: Wild World is anything to go by, the 3DS iteration should be as tasty as one of your freshly caught in-game fish. Another one to watch for all you socialites out there.
OMG OMG OMG! Need we say more? Well actually there's the small matter of original developers Rare not being on board for this Bond reboot but we're trying our hardest not to let that erode our excitement too much. We would've killed to see even just a few screens or just to hear the words "GoldenEye will be coming in 2012" from a well dressed Nintendo big wig during E3. Thankfully there was a small leak, which means we can wait like law abiding citizens until the official announcement. If anything's announced concerning 007, you'll hear it here first.


text:
Michigan-based Larky aims to help users get perks and discounts from organizations and professional associations.
Several years back we covered Australian Perkler, a site dedicated to helping consumers manage the perks they receive from various loyalty programs. Fast forward to today, and it looks like the idea still has merit, as evidenced by the recent launch of Larky. With a like-minded website and a free mobile app for iOS, Michigan-based Larky aims to help users get all the perks and discounts they deserve from organizations like the AAA, AARP and USAA as well as professional associations, credit cards, shopping clubs and more. Toward that end, a customized “perks dashboard” displays all the user’s perks across all memberships and makes it easy to find and use relevant discounts. Larky’s iPhone app, meanwhile, sends an alert whenever the user is eligible for a nearby discount, and uncovers hidden ways to save. No member numbers or passwords are required. An Android app is coming soon, as is a browser plug-in, Larky says. Meanwhile, the company welcomes inquiries from both membership organizations and merchants. Loyalty-minded entrepreneurs: one to get involved in? Spotted by: Murray Orange


text:
Apple, Google, HTC, LG and Samsung are reportedly joining forces in a bid to prevent ‘patent troll’ Intellectual Ventures from buying Kodak patents.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the consortium, which includes Apple and its rivals Google and Samsung, are going up against Nathan Myhrvold’s Intellectual Ventures in the fight to buy Kodak’s imaging rights, which are being auctioned as part of a bankruptcy filing.
Intellectual Ventures is the 5th largest patent holder in the US, and is known for using acquired patents file infringement lawsuits against other companies, which is why Apple and the rest of the reported consortium want to keep Kodak’s patents out of Intellectual Ventures’ hands.
Also named as a bidder in the Journal’s report is RPX Corp, a group of companies that also wants to buy the patents in order to prevent being sued by a patent troll.
Kodak has said that it has not yet decided who to sell its 1,100 digital photography patents to, and that the discussions with buyers are still ongoing. The company could decide not to sell its patents at all if it feels that the bids are not high enough.
Kodak filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, and received approval from bankruptcy courts to go ahead with the auction of its digital imaging patent portfolios in July, despite claim to some of those patents by Apple.
[Via Apple Insider]


text:
Continued (page 2 of 6)
Flagstaff Brewing Company
The scene at Flagstaff Brewing Company is so genuine, you can’t help but settle into a bar stool and stay a spell. Though Christian Lehman, the brewpub’s general manager, claims to have recently de-cluttered the bar back, there’s still plenty of material to start a number of conversations. There’s the large canoe – built by a previous brewer’s grandfather – that hangs above the bar; the black flag featuring a skull and cross bones; a collection of bottles and cans that were found in the building’s walls; and what is surely the state’s largest embossed-leather belt buckle. But décor aside, it’s the brewery’s beers that keep the bar stools occupied.
Co-owners Jeff Thorsett and Al Henes started Flagstaff Brewing Company on a whim: The two were headed to Oregon to help start a communal brewing operation when the VW bus they were driving broke down in Cortez, Colo. The closest major city to Cortez was Flagstaff, so that’s where the college friends wound up in 1992. They started wondering whether or not they’d be better off starting a brewery of their own, and the taps at Flagstaff Brewing started flowing in July 1994 when Jeff was only 25. The brewery is located in the historic Aubineau/Andreatos building on Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff. “It was our last-choice building,” says Jeff, who is also the master brewer. “It was located north of the tracks, which was a big no-no. Flagstaff was a different place back then.”
In the beginning, Flagstaff Brewing was just a microbrewery and bar – the restaurant was added in the late 1990s (Flagstaff Coffee Company, which is adjacent to the brewery and owned by the same partners, opened four years ago). The 6-1/2-barrel brewhouse produces 1,100 barrels of brew each year. At any given time, you’ll find four of the brewery’s beers on tap along with six guest taps that rotate regularly. Favorite FBC beers (they only brew ales) include Special K’s Sitka Spruce Tip Ale brewed with spruce needles from Alaska; Agassiz Amber; Bubbaganouj IPA; Three Pin Pale Ale; and Bitterroot ESB. “They put a pork chop in every pint,” says Christian, laughing. “The beers aren’t over the top, but they are hearty and full-bodied.”
Flagstaff Brewing doesn’t bottle its beers, but they do distribute in kegs and half-gallon “growlers” locally. Jeff says the operation is too small to distribute outside of Flagstaff. “We’re the largest beer-selling bar in the city – we can’t keep up,” he says. “We have expanded our production capacity. We started one-third the size we are now. Canning boosts your ego, but you aren’t going to make money from it. What I think is better and more successful is selling 100 percent of the product you make, whether that’s 10 or 10,000 cases a year.”
The brewery also has one of the most visible brewhouses in the state: Its large glass windows and doors front Route 66. The brewers can typically be found in the small room four or five mornings a week in the summer and two mornings a week in the winter. “It’s like working in a fishbowl,” says Jeff.
In addition to beer, Flagstaff Brewing has a collection of single-malt whiskeys with more than 130 varieties plus another 20 small-batch bourbons. The restaurant’s menu is chock full of burgers and sandwiches. The brewpub features live music Thursday through Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Flagstaff Brewing Company, 6 E. Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff (928-773-1442); www.flagbrew.com.
Home brewer’s Pick: Special K’s Sitka Spruce Tip
Mogollon Brewing Co.
To say it’s a challenge to locate Flagstaff’s Mogollon Brewing Company’s new digs would be an understatement. Tucked away in an unmarked warehouse south of the train tracks, it’s a far cry from a few years ago when the brewery was located in a pub smack dab in the middle of downtown Flagstaff. Dana Kanzler, owner and brewer, opened the brewpub in 1997. He relocated to the 4,800-square-foot warehouse last year.
Dana says the 20-barrel brewhouse was the largest commercial brewery in Arizona between 2000 and 2003. Dana quit bottling Mogollon brew in 2003, but started a canning operation last summer. He cans his Wapiti Amber Ale; you can find the brewery’s other two beers – Horny Toad IPA and Apache Trout Stout – on tap in Flagstaff, Prescott and Phoenix. The cans are distributed in liquor stores throughout Arizona.


text:
Paladins update 1.67 is now available for players on PlayStation 4. According to the official Paladins 1.67 patch notes, the new update has fixed the audio issues with Furia and Lian. In addition, Paladins version 1.67 also addressed an issue where players could not unlock the “Shadow Warrior Trials” Challenge.
Since the launch of the latest major update, many players have been experiencing a number of issues when trying to play the game. Today’s Paladins patch 1.67 is expected to fix all these issues. Check out more details below.
The following bugs are under investigation:
Paladins update 1.67 is now available for download.


text:
Apple Inc., Nokia and Qualcomm Inc. are among several technology companies pondering bids for InterDigital Inc., sources familiar with the situation said.
The auction of the wireless telecommunications specialist -- expected to be heavily contested as giant tech companies fight to shore up patent portfolios -- will be postponed from next week until after Labor Day, the sources said.
Shares in InterDigital, which has a market value of about $3 billion, leaped as much as 12.2 percent on the news. But it quickly backtracked and was up $4.38 or 6.8 percent at $68.41 in afternoon trade.
Key potential bidder Google Inc. has not formally withdrawn from the auction but it is unclear whether the Internet leader will bid for the company, the sources told Reuters.
InterDigital is up for sale and is forging ahead with its auction, despite Google agreeing to buy Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for $12.5 billion. That triggered a 23 percent drop in InterDigital's shares on Monday.
First-round bids have been postponed because bidders asked for more time to complete due diligence on the company's patents, the sources said.
To make up for that delay, the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based company expects to accelerate the second round, the sources said.
Google's presence in the auction would be crucial to how much InterDigital could fetch, an analyst said.
"The problem InterDigital has is that Elvis has left the building. He's got his date," Deutsche Bank analyst Brian Modoff said.
Modoff also questioned whether any other technology companies need InterDigital enough to pay the high price at which its shares are currently trading.
He noted that Qualcomm already has a good portfolio of patents, and so may not want to pay up for the business.
"The problem is finding somebody else to whom it's necessary." Modoff said. "It could get acquired, but not at where the stock is at (now)."
InterDigital's stock had soared last month on reports that Google was in talks to buy the company. Bidders have been eager to get their hands on the company's 8,800 patents -- including crucial 3G and 4G/LTE patents to strengthen operating software for smartphones.
Some analysts have said that InterDigital has one of the best quality patent portfolios that remains on the market after bankrupt Nortel Network's sold its patents to a consortium led by Apple and Microsoft Corp last month.
Just over 50 percent of the current 3G market is already under license with InterDigital. Its partners include Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Apple, Research In Motion Ltd and HTC Corp, among others. The company's 4G portfolio is relatively unlicensed.
InterDigital hired Evercore Partners and Barclays Capital on July 19 to explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company.
InterDigital declined to comment. The other potential bidders were not immediately available for comment.
© 2024 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


text:
Perceptive TechCrunch post about what happened to Microsoft. It’s become a middle-aged company. Soon it’ll be safe for widows and pensions. And nobody will get fired for investing in it.
Five years ago, Microsoft reported revenue of $14.398 billion. They reported a profit of $6.589 billion. Last week, for the same quarter, Microsoft’s revenue was $17.407 billion. Their profit was $6.374 billion. The company is still growing, but not fast. And they’re actually making less money.Compare that with Apple. Five years ago, revenue was $7.1 billion. Profit was $1.0 billion — the first quarter with a billion dollar profit in company history. Last quarter, the company reported $47 billion in revenue. And they recorded $13 billion in profit.On the surface, an apples-to-oranges comparison, perhaps. But it points to something that has happened. Apple has completely taken over the consumer market, while most of Microsoft’s growth these days comes from the enterprise side of things. Apple has destroyed Microsoft as a consumer technology company.
Sure, Microsoft is still making plenty of money — billions — off of their consumer goods. But the decent quarterly numbers they reported last week in some ways mask what is really happening: Microsoft is slowing morphing into a full-on enterprise company.


text:
A recent CARE Ratings report nails the problem facing the tractor and in many ways, it is also a hard hitting commentary on government policies towards rural and farm sector. The report says that tractor industry growth this year will depend largely upon a good monsoon. In 2009/10, tractor industry sales surged 32% despite a nation-wide drought but those sunny days are long gone.
Government forecasts and estimates so far indicate that the monsoon is deficient and large parts of India are probably on the verge of being declared drought hit. This will have serious implications for tractor company performance and its shares. “CARE Research belives that a healthy growth in agriculture will drive tractor demand. hence, tractor sales will be highly dependant on a good monsoon,” the report says.
Last fiscal (March, 2012), the companies managed to increase sales and profit. Escorts’s sales grew 21.84% while Mahindra & Mahindra’s tractor division posted a sales growth of 22.64% and a profit growth of 13.83%. So far, there has been little sign of a slowdown in performance but share prices have been sliding. So far this year, Escorts has fallen 11.8%, Force Motors by 46.48%, while Mahindra has managed a small gain of 3.13%.
Latest figures from the government show that rains were 15% deficient in July and that experts see little signs of a pick-up in August and September.
But in many ways, the tractor companies should have seen this one coming. A good chunk of the heady growth in 2007-2011 was also driven by the government’s largesse towards the farm sector. The successive increases in minimum support prices (MSP) by the government played a big role in boosting income and spurring demand. A sharp fall in MSP after 2010 coincided with sluggish economic growth and dented rural incomes. Faulty government policies and a myopic outlook in the past decade have made the rural economy highly dependant on rising MSPs. And the problem for tractor companies is that the rural outlook is probably going to get worse before it gets any better.
Already, the size of land holding in the country is shrinking. The net sown area is 141 million hectares and CARE quotes government estimates to say that the per capita area will fall to 0.23 hectares by 2025 from 0.32 in 2001. Small and marginal farmers have no need for tractors and the increasing pressure on land from a growing population will mean more agricultural land being converted for non-agricultural purposes. That is not good news for tractor company shareholders.


text:
Fancy shopping in a virtual grocery store? Thanks to mobile tech, consumers can now shop using their smartphone and deliver the products to their home.
Movies like Lucy with Scarlett Johansson and Limitless starring Bradley Cooper may seem far-fetched to you. However, the following video confirms the technology required to expand the limitations of the human brain exists already and is available to anyone.
While brain-controlled computers may still be years away from release to the general public, the PlayFresco device offers remote controlled computing without the need to touch your mouse or touchscreen.
Google Glass has a lot of competition coming into the marketplace in the coming months. Will Lenovo C1 be the best or are there other heads-up devices to take Glass’s market share this year?
OpenFarm is set to change the way people find info on the web for farming and gardening. Let’s just say that it’s the Wikipedia for farming and gardening. Truly one of a kind.
The Chinese-made Estar Takee 1 smartphone promises to expand on the largely under-whelming 3D technology offered on the over-priced Amazon Fire. Prepare yourself to be amazed before watching this video!
Apple fanbois and girls rejoice! The new iPhone 6 is set to release in just a couple of short weeks. Come check out leaked pictures of the phone and learn more about the rumored dimensions and some interesting new hardware specs.
The Moto X+1 (X2) is set to release this week. It’s low price and unique features promise to give the new iPhone 6 a run for it’s money! Check out recently leaked specs on this fab smartphone!
Which online storage provider do you prefer? Learn more about the main differences between Dropbox and Google Drive.
How many of you have screwed yourself out of hundreds of dollars from dropping your phone or tablet in the toilet, bath tub, river, lake, etc., and (surprise, surprise) the manufacturer wouldn’t cover “water damage” under warranty? Seems like Sony now has this problem covered!
Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t need to carry around a key-fob to get in your car, or enter a passcode every time you want to get past a security system — or into your cellphone? Near Field Technology is taking RFID to the next level!
The fans say that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have great design and bigger screen. The naysayer say that the phones are ridiculously priced and technologically outdated. What do you think: Cool or uncool?
Competitors know how to hijack and troll the launch of Apple iPhone 6. One of those is Samsung, in their latest Galaxy Note 4 commercial. Good trolling.
Sure, wearable tech like Apple Watch might seem really cool now. But are we really going in a positive direction with this technology. In the not-so-distant future, basic human privacy might be part of your kid’s history lessons in school.


text:
AOA's ’31 in 31’ campaign spotlights bad actors in contact lens market
Shining a light on familiar boogeymen in the contact lens marketplace, an AOA advocacy campaign exposes illegal retailers and counterfeiters sidestepping legal requirements that protect patients’ eyes.
Throughout October, the AOA’s annual ’31 in 31’ letter-writing campaign directs federal regulators’ attention and scrutiny on those online retailers, brick-and-mortar shops and other sellers who distribute contact lenses without valid prescriptions, in direct violation of federal law. To date, the campaign has identified over 150 retailers—with support from doctors of optometry nationwide—that the AOA has directly contacted to inform of the U.S. law regarding the sale of contact lenses.
“Ensuring retailers comply with these federal regulations, established to protect patients, is absolutely essential,” says Melissa Barnett, O.D., AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section chair.
The ’31 in 31’ campaign comprises letters to flagged sellers, reiterating the U.S. market rules set forth in the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA) and the Contact Lens Rule, and specifically those requirements that contact lenses may only be furnished when a consumer presents a valid prescription from an eye doctor. While the AOA is not a regulatory enforcement agency, the letters are copied to both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission for appropriate intervention.
As recently as last year, the ’31 in 31’ campaign had generated results with an online contact lens vendor initiating a voluntary recall of 1,362 pairs of contact lenses not cleared for sale by the FDA. The vendor, TTDeye.com, was brought to AOA’s attention by a report from a Virginia doctor of optometry noting an adverse event—severe keratitis and conjunctivitis—stemming from a patient’s use of those lenses.
“As CLCS chair and a doctor who specializes in contact lenses, I know the impact that poorly fitting contact lenses can have on the ocular surface,” Dr. Barnett says. “It is critical that patients ensure they are appropriately evaluated and fit for contact lenses to prevent related complications.”
Contact lenses are a safe, effective vision correction option when worn and cared for properly. However, poorly fitting or improperly used contact lenses can result in serious eye health and vision complications, which is why these FDA-regulated medical devices—even those that are only intended to change the appearance of the eye—require an eye doctor’s prescription and oversight to purchase as outlined by the FCLCA and Contact Lens Rule.
Despite these health and safety protections, bad actors and unaware retailers do sell contact lenses without prescriptions. In sidestepping these federal requirements, vendors not only sell contact lenses that may be inappropriate for patients’ eyes but also might peddle counterfeit or knock-off lenses that may contain harmful contaminants. In fact, a 2017 report from the FDA’s Chemistry Center in Ohio found that 60% of counterfeit and unapproved contact lenses tested were positive for microbial contamination commonly associated with serious eye infections and vision loss.
“These results support the contention that acquiring contact lenses without a prescription is a considerable threat to consumer health and safety,” the study authors note.
Support AOA’s contact lens advocacy
The AOA takes seriously its central mission not only serving as a reliable public resource on issues affecting eye health and vision care but also helping doctors of optometry safeguard patients’ eyesight. Doctors themselves play an integral role in the AOA’s contact lens advocacy.
Better documentation of illegal contact lens sales helps the AOA build a case for increased enforcement by the FTC and FDA. Here’s how doctors can report illegal sales or adverse events related to contact lenses:
- Report a website illegally selling contact lenses.
- Report an adverse event related to contact lenses.
- Report problems with decorative contact lenses.
- Report a contact lens seller exhibiting poor business practices.
- Email a de-identified case report to email@example.com to help bolster AOA’s advocacy against harmful contact lens practices.
For more information on illegal retailers or incident reporting, contact AOA’s Chief Strategy Officer Kara Webb.
AOA members and other professionals object to a national high school federation no longer mandating protective eye gear for field hockey players, illustrating how AOA advocacy is fueled by doctors of optometry and their leadership on the local, state and national levels.
The global e-commerce retailer again came to the AOA’s attention over posts from contact lens sellers that didn’t appear to meet FCLCA patient protection provisions requiring valid prescriptions.


text:
There's one big e-commerce trend you can't ignore in 2021. That's mobile commerce (m-commerce). According to Google Trends, the search volume of 'm-commerce' has been continuously increasing for the past 12 months worldwide. More importantly, this trend shows no signs of stopping.
Looking at the bigger picture, we can spot the growing popularity of mobile Internet use in general. According to The Radicati Group’s recent Mobile Statistics Report (2020-2024), the number of mobile users - including both smartphones and tablets – is expected to exceed 7.4 billion by the end of 2024.
Google also picked up on this global trend: In March 2020, Google announced that all sites will be officially switched over to the mobile-first indexing. So, let’s also switch our attention to m-commerce, an unstoppable trend in the landscape of e-commerce.
Based on statistical facts and industrial reports, we'll cover:
- Statistically speaking, why will mobile commerce be the next big thing?
- What is mobile commerce?
- What is the difference between m-commerce and e-commerce?
Statistically speaking, why will mobile commerce be the next big thing?
Let’s skip all the blah blah blah and dive directly into the 4 promising statistics concerning the m-commerce industry:
1. The revenue of the global mobile commerce industry is expected to reach 3.56 trillion USD by this year 2021, with an average year-over-year growth rate of 33.8%. Global m-commerce sales were merely 0.97 trillion USD back in 2016.
2. As shown by Statista’s latest report below, the estimated mobile as a share of total e-commerce is projected to reach 72.9% worldwide by this year.
3. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global mobile payment market size stood at 1.18 trillion USD in 2019 and is expected to reach 8.9 trillion USD by the year 2027.
4. As the chart from MerchantSavvy’s statistical report shows, in-store mobile proximity payments are set to overtake cash and credit cards in 2020, and its popularity will continue to grow in the coming years.
All the statistics above strongly indicate that m-commerce will be the next big thing.
What is mobile commerce (m-commerce)?
In the Global Mobile Commerce Forum in 1997, Kevin Duffey coined the term "mobile commerce", referring to "the delivery of electronic commerce capabilities directly into the consumer’s hand, anywhere, via wireless technology."
Nowadays, mobile commerce is widely defined as “the buying and selling of goods and services through wireless handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets.” As some e-commerce experts assert, m-commerce is a natural progression of e-commerce.
What is the difference between m-commerce and e-commerce?
If m-commerce is a natural development of e-commerce, what are m-commerce's advantages in comparison with e-commerce? Let's have a look...
Since Europe and the US are expected to be the biggest players in m-commerce market revenue during the period of 2020-2024, we’ll continue our discussion on m-commerce next week through exploring statistical facts and trends in European countries with simple infographics.
Being #1 rated e-commerce personalization platform, Clerk.io can help you to take advantage of this trend. Get started by booking a time with one of our specialists today 🚀.
Book A Meeting With A Clerk Specialist Today


text:
It could take more than a year for Volkswagen to fix all its cars with diesel engines rigged to evade emissions tests, the company's USA president and chief executive Michael Horn said during a congressional hearing today.
For the most recent generation of diesel Volkswagens, about 67,000 of which are on American roads, a fix may be available at the beginning of 2016. For the previous generation, about 90,000-strong, it will take until the middle of next year, a spokesperson told Automotive News.
For the first generation, which goes back to 2009 and includes 325,000 cars, Horn was not able to provide an exact date. For those, new hardware will be needed to comply with emissions standards.
“We do not believe a software only solution will be possible,” Horn said. "This is hardware engineering, it is complex and takes time to test and develop.
All told, 482,000 cars will need some kind of fix.
Any fixes will have to be unique to the three different generations of diesel engines and will need to be tested and approved by regulators, Horn said in his written testimony.
In response to question from Illinois Democrat Jan Schakowsky, Horn said that Volkswagen has "considered" financial compensation for owners of affected vehicles. But it will not provide loaner cars to affected drivers before the fix is ready, because the Environmental Protection Agency has certified the cars are allowed to be on the road.
Volkswagen models that were designed to evade nitrogen oxide emissions standards have already fallen more than 13% in value, Kelley Blue Book data shows. Horn said Volkswagen has withdrawn its application to certify its 2016 diesel vehicles.
The congressmen repeatedly pressed Horn to explain who had made the decision to cheat emissions exams and how Volkswagen could allow such widespread deception. Horn described the cheating as "something individuals did" and "not a corporate decision." He said that he hoped the ongoing internal and external investigations into the emissions scandal would "find out what drove those people into these decisions and those actions."
Horn was asked by Vermont Democrat Peter Welch why he thought Volkswagen engineers decided to design and install the software to cheat emissions tests. "My personal feeling [is that] it was pressure in the system to get solutions in conjunction with cost pressures," Horn replied. "I think it’s dead wrong to put corporate profits before people."


text:
The 2014 Awesome Games Done Quick marathon has raised a record breaking sum for cancer research. This fundraiser features some of the most skilled gamers in the world.
7 days: A week of Azure outages, Black Friday deals, a kernel change and "becoming Clippy"
Playbulb Color: The Bluetooth enabled multi-color light bulb and speaker
The day I became Clippy
Your guide to every Lumia Windows Phone ever launched
From Xbox to Health, the story of the Microsoft Band
AdBlock has launched a crowd sourced fund raising campaign that it says will help to start a series of promotions that, ironically, will showcase its software that blocks Internet ads from websites.
Wikipedia has announced that its annual fundraising drive has now reached its goal of $20 million, allowing the free online encyclopedia to remain online for another year of operations.


text:
Dell’s China Sales Should Rebound This Quarter, Asia Chief Says
Slower economic growth and Chinese consumers holding back purchases before today’s release of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 8 software caused last quarter’s drop, Amit Midha, president of Dell’s Asia division, said in a phone interview. Sales of servers and storage weren’t affected, indicating it was a PC- demand issue, he said.
Chief Executive Officer Michael Dell said in July the company faces “challenges” in China, and the following month Round Rock, Texas-based Dell reported its first decline in total sales for the country. The PC maker cited “particular softness and pricing pressure” in China as contributing to an 18 percent drop in second-quarter net income to $732 million.
“It’s really a PC-driven piece and we believe this is short term and it’s going to rebound back,” Midha said. “There is a significant uptick as we have gone through this quarter versus the previous quarter.”
The company reports fiscal third-quarter results Nov. 15.
Dell’s share of the global PC market fell to 10.5 percent in the third quarter from 11.2 percent a year earlier, market- researcher Gartner Inc. said Oct. 10. Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ)’s six- year reign as the world’s top personal-computer maker was ended by China’s Lenovo Group Ltd. (992), Gartner data showed. Lenovo accounted for 15.7 percent of shipments last quarter, compared with 15.5 percent for Hewlett-Packard, Gartner said.
Dell will continue to be a significant player in PCs while focusing on high- and medium-priced products, Midha said.
“We want to make sure we continue to deliver high-value added products to the customer, and not necessarily go down to the lowest price points,” Midha said. “It’s not a unit game.”
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Edmond Lococo in Beijing at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Tighe at firstname.lastname@example.org


text:
There's no question that China's smartphone industry is in a tough spot, but it's apparently worse than expected. Canalys has estimated that smartphone shipments in the country plummeted 21 percent year-over year in the first quarter of 2018 -- the steepest drop since 2013. Almost everyone saw their shipments go down, with Oppo and Vivo (both owned by BBK) taking the worst hit with a 10 percent drop. Gionee, Meizu and Samsung shipped less than half as many devices. Even Huawei, the clear frontrunner, grew by a mere 2 percent.
The only company to defy the trend was Xiaomi, whose shipments surged 37 percent. That's not completely surprising: it was the only one in the top five to cater to the very entry level (under $160), and it tackled the high end by launching both the Mi Mix 2S and Mi 6X.
As for the reason? If you ask Canalys, it's simple: there's a "sense of fatigue." The fierce competition in China has led companies to mimic each other's phone lineups and launch strategies, but only the largest companies can handle that. Smaller companies might not survive in the long run.
Canalys is expecting China to bounce back in the second quarter, especially now that flagships like Huawei's P20 series are available. With that said, the analyst group acknowledges that it might be looking through rose-tinted glasses: it's warning about a possible stagnant period where companies double down on R&D instead of focusing on all-out marketing campaigns. When worldwide smartphone shipments dropped for the first time ever this fall, it's clear that the status quo isn't enough. The phone market is rapidly saturating, and there may not be much companies can do to avoid difficult times.


text:
Hilton has once again been named the most valuable hotel brand in the world, remaining above its pre-pandemic brand value and topping the Brand Finance Hotels 50 ranking with $11.7 billion in brand value.
In addition to being named the most valuable brand, seven other Hilton brands were also included among the Hotels 50 ranking including Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands.
Over the past year, Hilton has grown its leading brand portfolio while continuing to deliver exceptional and memorable experiences to guests across the world. In 2022, Hilton opened its 7,000th hotel worldwide, surpassed 150 million Hilton Honors members and welcomed nearly 200 million guests while launching two new brands, Spark by Hilton and a new extended-stay brand with the working title Project H3 by Hilton.
“We believe our success really lies in our ability to innovate and deliver new products, programs, and services that meet guests’ changing needs while delivering on Hilton’s promise of an exceptional stay,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. “Building brands is what we do best at Hilton, and we are proud of our rich history of delivering some of the best products in the hospitality business.”
In addition to solidifying its top ranking as the most valuable brand, Hilton was also ranked as having the highest Sustainability Perceptions Value (SPV). Brand Finance’s Sustainability Perceptions Value indicates the amount of brand value attributed to sustainability perceptions.
Through Travel With Purpose, Hilton’s environmental, social and governance strategy, the company is working to drive responsible travel globally while enhancing its long-term value. As the first global hospitality company to have its emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Hilton is focused on reducing its emissions, creating engines of opportunity within its communities and preserving the destinations where Hilton guests and team members live, work and travel.
The Brand Finance Global 500 rankings assess the value of brands globally based on their financial strength and brand equity. Hilton’s world-class brand portfolio is comprised of more than 7,215 properties, in 122 countries and territories.
To learn more about the Brand Finance Global 500 2023 rankings, click here. https://brandirectory.com/rankings/global/


text:
Marriott to open resort at Kabira Bay on Ishigaki
Marriott International, a U.S. based worldwide hotel chain is planning to open a new luxury resort at Kabira, Ishigaki City. The hotel will reportedly have about 360 guest rooms, which would make it the largest on Okinawa’s remote islands.
The construction work on the new resort is scheduled to start in July 2017, with the hotel set to open in December 2019. Marriott Resort & Spa Ishigakijima will be Marriott International’s first directly managed hotel in Japan.
According to a source familiar with the plans, the hotel will be built on a site of about 86,000 square meters, and the facility would include a hotel accommodation building and separate cottages, with total floor space of about 40,000 square meters. Ishigakijima Sangyo Kaihatsu is reportedly the developer that builds the resort at an estimated cost of ¥28 billion.
Marriott has reportedly been interested in having a hotel at Kabira Bay for 10 years, and they have been preparing for it by concluding an employment agreement with the Kabira Ward of Ishigaki.
Since the new airport was completed in 2013, the number of visitors to Ishigaki has been increasing sharply, reaching one million in 2014. Tourists from foreign countries are also increasing, a fact that has not escaped business planners at Marriott who want to get into the action at an early stage in order to capture their share of the demand from the beginning.
Marriott International is a hotel managing company with its headquarters in Maryland, U.S.A. In April, Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, and it currently manages many luxury hotel chains like Westin and Sheraton. It’s the world’s largest hotel chain with more than 5,500 hotels.


text:
Looking aggressively at the Indian market for expansion, the Vikram Chatwal Hotels, a division of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, plans to open "Dream brand hotels" in various cities in the country, including Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi with a Rs 5,000-crore (Rs 50 billion) investment.
About Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) has already been invested in the country, which will go up to Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion), Hampshire Hotels and Resorts Chairman and CEO Sant Singh Chatwal told reporters in Kochi.
The group expected to add 2,000 rooms in Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Mumbai by 2010, and was already exploring markets in Chennai, Kolkata and Goa, he said.
Setting up a Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) hotel under its 'Dream' brand in Kochi was truly a dream come true, he said. The hotel boasts of 15O guest rooms, three exclusive club floors, roof top pool and jacuzi, five world class restaurants and bars.
There were plans to open another at the nearby silver sand, which will have about 300 rooms, he said.
The group is looking forward to opening its Dream Brand hotels in Hyderabad and Jaipur also. The chain has taken a site in Banjara hills in Hyderabad and in Jaipur and plans to start work in 6-7 months, Chatwal said.
The group owns hotels in the US, Canada, the UK, Thailand with over 3,000 rooms in Manhattan alone. The Mumbai Palace chain of internationally renowned gourmet restaurants popularised Indian cuisine around the world's major metropolitan cities including Montreal, Toronto, New York, Washington, Beverely Hills, Houston and Kuala Lumpur, he said.
Asked if he felt any impact of recession, Chatwal said, world over the impact has been felt and it would take time to recover. But this was the best period for expansion.
Chatwal is also the Trustee of the William J Clinton Foundation, a charitable foundation led by former US President Bill Clinton to focus on global issues of health, security and economic empowerment.


text:
Metropolis Marketplace in Woodburn opening doors in September
Metropolis Marketplace, the indoor market located inside the former Association Building in downtown Woodburn, is holding a grand opening celebration on September 9 and 10. The marketplace will be home to food and drink vendors, along with artisan, craft and farmers market vendors.
The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the building, located at 347 N. Front St. It will feature food, drinks, music, arts, crafts, prizes, giveaways and other activities.
Owners Hythum Ismail and Robby Truong purchased the building from the city of Woodburn in April 2016. Once the location of the Salud Medical Clinic, the building has been vacant since the 1993 Scotts Mills earthquake that left it seriously damaged.
The city acquired the building on a nuisance lien in 2000. In 2005, the city spent $850,000 on seismic retrofits, fire and life safety upgrades and a complete makeover of the façade. However, the interior of the building remained in disrepair, with no finished walls, flooring, stairs, plumbing or electric wiring.
In February, the city's Urban Renewal Agency approved a $50,000 grant to help cover the costs of the estimated $315,000 in necessary improvements to the building.
Now, the building will be home to both the marketplace and, eventually, a 5,000-square-foot event center, which hasn't yet been developed but is planned for its second floor.
So far, the marketplace has three longer-term "anchor vendors" that have signed leases. Coco's Coffee House, which will be the only coffee shop in downtown Woodburn, will serve a variety of hot and cold beverages, snacks and baked goods. Hungry Lion Cuisine will serve a variety of Asian-influenced dishes including teriyaki, Thai and Chinese food. And Fruit Box Snack Bar will feature a variety of fruit salads, tortas, smoothies, and milkshakes, along with a selection of other beverages, snacks, meals and desserts.
Vendor space is still available, with both month-to-month and longer-term leases offered. For more information, go to www.metropolisoregon.com.


text:
IMG Fashion is making its moves on the Tokyo fashion scene.
The division of IMG on Thursday announced a five-year partnership with Japan Fashion Week Organization, which organizes the biannual Tokyo Collection Week. As part of the deal, IMG Fashion will be the exclusive representative handling all sponsorship rights negotiations and will help the organization improve the efficiency of its events tied to Tokyo Collection Week.
Hermès is launching a Laundromat pop-up shop in NYC - dubbed Hermèsmatic - where customers can bring their old scarves to be dip-dyed by an expert. Get all the details on WWD.com. #wwdnews (📷: @donstahl)