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The nation has been ranked second among the top 10 cheapest countries to live and visit this year, according to the website Wonderlist.
Russia is likely to resume international flights to 13 countries, including Vietnam, in the post COVID-19 period, according to Russian News Agency TASS.
Republic of Korean carrier Tway Airlines has announced plans to reopen a one-way air route to connect Ho Chi Minh City with Incheon International Airport starting from July 22.
A Czech Republic – Vietnam tourism forum was held in Prague on June 30 as part of activities to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and promote tourism cooperation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on June 18 that Japan is in talks to make exceptions to its entry ban on Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam, as it seeks to ease travel restrictions imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam plans to host a series of cultural and tourism activities in Hanoi to promote tourism to the country, a KTO representative said.
Japan is about to make a decision to ease the entry ban on Vietnam in the first relaxation of travel restrictions that were imposed due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
WeSwap, the UK’s largest travel money provider, has listed Vietnam among the first economies likely to restart international tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel + Leisure magazine of the United States has named Vietnam among its list of the top 17 destinations for tourists to visit as soon as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) settles down globally and international travel is eased.
ASEAN member nations have agreed to commit to a prevention plan as well as seeking cooperation from international organizations to together to revive travel confidence following the pandemic.
Vietnamese food has been listed among the 10 healthiest cuisines globally by UK travel website The Culture Trip.
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced on March 18 that it will suspend flights between Vietnam and Russia, Taiwan (China) from March 19 until further notice, amid the worsening COVID-19 epidemic.
The COVID-19 epidemic outbreak is affecting global economy with tourism being among hardest-hit industries. The recovery of the sector will depend largely on how long the epidemic lasts.
As capital cities go, I must confess Vientiane has to be one of the smallest and indeed quietest I have ever been too.
The number of Vietnamese visitors to Taiwan (China) has been growing fast recently, which is partly attributed to Taiwan’s preferential visa policy for tourists from the Southeast Asian nation.
India climbed into the top 16 markets with the highest number of visitors to Vietnam in 2019.


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There has never been a development such as Westman Village in Calgary, which has everyone at Jayman Built on a learning curve, says company CEO and chairman Jay Westman.
“It is brand new to us, with a whole number of levels of newness. New in rentals, new in the seniors market, new in commercial, new in hospitality service, because now we have an on-going community that’s going to live on forever,” says Westman. “It’s not like just turning it over and you walk away and go build another project. This community will continue on, so the planning for this is exponential.”
tap here to see other videos from our team.
It’s akin to building a new town in the southeast community of Mahogany.
“We had to do all the infrastructure like you do for a subdivision. We had to put in all the streets and all the servicing, all the parkades, everything had to go in up-front on a very tight site,” says Westman. “It’s never been done before, with commercial, retail, three restaurants, four product types and a 40,000-square-foot amenity centre.”
Homes include apartment condominiums, estate bungalows and long-term rentals, offering a choice of interior finishes and the feeling of ownership, as well as active living and assisted living.
The amenity centre, nearing completion and scheduled to open in early 2018, will be the hub of Westman Village and will be available to residents as soon as they move in.
“We’re basically offering a resort lifestyle on the lake in Mahogany, because what we’re talking about is all the amenities you can think about being put in up front,” says Westman. “We’ve even talked about a bowling alley but we decided to go with the wine room with 5,000 bottles of wine. People will even get their own wine locker. We’ve thought about every possible amenity you could think of.”
The amenity centre will include a healthy snack bar, meeting rooms, indoor sports facilities, a small grocery store, hairstylist, a movie theatre and more, all connected to the homes through a series of well-lit underground tunnels.
“We’re working in so many new areas,” says Westman. “We’re into specific training out of the U.S. just in terms of customer service; not like customer service as in building-a-home customer service, this is a whole other level of customer service when you have to start to understand the hospitality industry in terms of how we’re going to have this community live and breathe.
“I had a vision, now we’ve got to put the pieces into place to bring it all home.”
- Community/Location: Westman Village in Mahogany/Presentation centre is at 1955 Mahogany Blvd. S.E. discovery centre is at the Jayman home office at 3132 118 ave. S.E.
- Builder: Jayman built
- Developer: Jayman built
- Price: condominiums from the low $200,000s.
- More info: For hours of operation and more information, go to www.westmanvillage.com

domain: news


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Williams Advanced Engineering is displaying an innovative lightweight EV platform concept, named the FW-EVX, at this year’s Low Carbon Vehicle Show, Millbrook, UK, 6-7 September. With the intent of maximizing vehicle efficiency, Williams Advanced Engineering reimagined how electric cars are designed and constructed. This new approach is designed to make EVs lighter, safer and greener, with longer range and better performance.
The concept features several innovations in battery pack design, cooling systems and lightweight structures, which have each been integrated into a single, scalable platform.
As one example, Williams’ engineers developed a highly automated, near zero waste process that is being implemented to create fibre-reinforced suspension components on the EV platform, providing up to 40% weight reduction over a conventional aluminium wishbone.
Another innovation being showcased is the process of forming high-strength 3D structures from 2D materials which, in this instance, has created an exoskeleton for a battery module that also contributes to the structural performance of the battery.
Developed by in-house specialists in aerodynamics, electric systems, advanced lightweight structures and vehicle integration, the concept highlights Williams Advanced Engineering’s expertise in accelerating ground-up innovations into demonstrable products available to its customers.
Vehicle efficiency has always been core to Williams – whether it be in Formula One or with Williams Advanced Engineering’s customer projects. These technologies, and our thinking around how to create a tightly integrated, light-weight chassis and powertrain package, have the potential to greatly increase the competitiveness of the next generation of electric vehicles. By making EVs more attractive to consumers, we can help accelerate their adoption and the air quality benefits they bring.—Paul McNamara, Williams Advanced Engineering Technical Director


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By Renee Farris, Manager, Corporate Philanthropy, The Silicon Valley Community Foundation
The way companies do good in the world is shifting, and this movement was perfectly captured by many of the stories shared at our annual Corporate Philanthropy Institute(CPI), held Feb. 12 at San Francisco’s Mission Bay Conference Center, and co-presented with Northern California Grantmakers.
Bringing together over 200 corporate responsibility and philanthropy professionals, the fourth year in partnership with NCG ignited rich discussions around business’ responsibility to take purposeful action in our changing world.
Here are four key highlights that demonstrate the newest trends in the industry.
- Companies are increasingly taking a stand on political issues. For example, Google is blazing a new trail by focusing on challenging racial injustice, ending mass incarceration, and using data to change the narrative on race in America. This is bold stance should encourage other companies to take similar action and speak up on important issues that are politically sensitive. That’s valuable because many companies don’t want to be singled out for taking a stand on a political issue – in this case, safety and strength are found in numbers.
- A new business model for nonprofits enables them to self-fund by launching an affiliated for-profit business. The business’ profits are then used to fund the nonprofit, reducing or eliminating the need for the nonprofit to fundraise. One example is the nonprofit Samasource and the for-profit business LXMI, a line of cosmetics that employs low-income African women to grow, harvest and process ingredients. Leila Janah, CEO of both Samasource and LXMI, told the companies’ story at CPI.
- Conscientious companies are veering from traditional philanthropy; instead of donating, they’re investing in social and environmental aspects of their businesses. During their CPI keynote, Method's co-founders Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan opined that saying one’s company uses 1 percent of profits for good is another way of saying 99 percent of profits are not used for good. The best thing a company can do is to prove that a business can be profitable and still be good for people and the planet, they advised: “Don’t start a business, start a cause.”
- Companies are redesigning business operations to maximize their impact. If all companies moved just 1 percent of their supply chain to purchase from social enterprises, the impact would be enormous, according to Leila Janah of Samasource in her discussion at CPI. One way for procurement officers to find suppliers that offer positive social impact is through directories such as Find a B Corp or the Give Work Guide.
SVCF and Northern California Grantmakers are grateful to the many speakers and CSR professionals that helped make CPI a success in 2018.
Special thanks go to all the event sponsors: Verizon, Gilead, PG&E, Wells Fargo, Genentech, Workday, eBay, Google, Target, Equinix, Kaiser Permanente, Singularity University, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation, Hotel Via and the San Francisco Business Times.


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[UPDATE: Not only has the tweet from BusinessInsider is claiming that the June 27th date is false. ]UK been removed, but
[UPDATE 2: BlackBerry has confirmed to TheNextWeb that BBM will not be launching for iOS or Android on June 27th]
iOS and Android users are in for a treat later this month. Those who have been longing for BBM to finds its way to the world’s two most popular mobile operating systems will soon have their wishes granted on June 27th.
T-Mobile UK tweeted the following earlier this morning:
— T-MOBILE UK (@TMobileUK) June 6, 2013
Not only was the T-Mobile UK Twitter account nice enough to show off the Samsungrunning BBM, but also announcing the June 27th release date. We knew it was going to be happening soon, but at least people who are excited about using the service on iOS or Android can start their countdowns.
Many people have been wanting BlackBerry’s messaging service to become available on more platforms, but it still remains to be seen as to how well BBM will do when it debuts. Whenever Google Hangouts receives SMS integration, BBM may end up being too little, way too late.
What do you think? Are you excited for BBM on Android and iOS?
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One of the recurring themes are those “expert” economic analysts that keep pointing to China and predicting that the Chinese economy will be the world’s number one economy, pulling quickly away from the United States. I can see where they might believe such a claim, the financial news doled out by the Chinese government being so wonderfully full of good news and numbers. I mean, how could you not believe it’s true? China’s economy reminds me of that Earl Scheib paint job for your car back in the sixties. For $29.95 he offered to paint your car and make it shine like new as long as you kept a tolerable distance, say fifty feet. I remember that one of my friend’s father had his old VW bug painted. Personally, I think I could have done a better job using a broom. Ever since China embraced Capitalism, sort of, the party faithfuls have engaged in cooking the books. When the man at the top demands results then you show him results even if there aren’t any. For years we have heard tell of cities built with very few inhabitants. The mass of factories that have been build and never used is astounding. I mean, it’s all there if do due diligence research. But if you work for CNBC or one of the other financial news outlets, whether is be as a “investigative reporter (who does little investigation) or as an honored expert who holds court more by reputation than by results, then you have glowing and glorious numbers to report and remarks that show you know what is what. Except it ain’t true, not one word of it. Raw materials such as copper, iron ore, coal, and much more are growing, not being used. The electric grid energy use is down by 25% and unemployment is rising. Inflation is starting to hit hard for consumer goods. Credit has been passed out like candy in a school yard. There have been several bank failures, The real estate bubble hit popped and values taken a nosedive to the bottom. Manufacturing has taken a long decline from the highs of 2007. Large bulk carrier traffic (cargo ships that carry ores, coal, etc) have reached record lows. Container traffic has been hitting ten year lows. Capital outflows, meaning the party faithful have been selling assets and buying real estate all over the world as well was small corporations in foreign countries. The Bank of China is now doing quantitative easing, which only promotes more bubbles in assets. Steel production is trending down severely as is new construction. And the population is aging considerably from that old government policy, one child per couple. Pollution has become a severe threat to the population and minorities are getting to the breaking point, ready to start revolting. More robots are being employed to replace Chinese workers. There are fewer cars on the road, oil consumption is down. Average income per capita is lower and trending lower.
So here it is, I can find all manner of web sites that keep tabs of China, websites that have good sources of information because they have many people in China reporting, including the Chinese themselves, and all is not well. China is not the economic super power it poses as being. Yes, it has military power, but that is not the same. Everyone is so focused on the AIIB and all the projects that China is going to undertake for so many of the allies of America and many third world countries. But who will pay for all this? Oh yes, fiat currency is the preferred means. But China is still pegging their Yuan to our dollar. Now how can they become the reserve currency, that currency that international loans and contracts use for currency settlement if they are still pegged to the US Dollar? Eithe you are number one or you’re not. The Euro is, to a small degree, a reserve currency but the Dollar is still the number one means of settlement in international currency accounts.
Could these experts on the media be wrong? Oh hell yes. These are the same people who don’t understand that credit is printing money and that it is the banks doing the printing and not the Fed or other central banks. Remember that your credit card has an approved credit level, meaning that you can purchase up to that level. Your credit card will spend just like cash in your wallet. Tell me that is not printing money. And your friendly federal government does that all the time, authorize spending bills that spend money the federal government doesn’t have. But thanks to the issuance of vouchers for payment to contractors, the government has its own set of credit cards. Need some more money, simply issue more treasure bills. Those bills are fungible, meaning that they spend just like cash. Do you start to understand why balancing the budget is important? Do you start to understand that deficit spending is bad, living beyond your means as the ultimate guarantor of government debt? You, the tax payer pick up the tab for government overspending through your tax payments. The government can keep on borrowing until the lenders stop lending. Think Argentina, lenders have stopped buying their government bonds. You want consumer goods shiped to the country? Pay in advance in a foreign currency other than your own.
So yes, China is going to hand out all this money, but it is fiat currency and only worth what the rest of the world believes it is worth. That’s a bitch when your fiat currency is only backed by promises that you can’t meet. Suddenly everyone doesn’t want your currency. Ask Argentina if that isn’t true. The Chinese economy may not grow more than about 1.5% this year, a far cry from the 10 and 15 percent of previous years. But understand, its economy never really grew by such amounts. The local and regional leadership kept lying about the numbers, literally making them up. People, if you continue to watch and believe CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, BBC, and a whole host of dumbass journalists you have no one but yourselves to blame. Bad information is worse than no information. And when you tell me that so and so expert has said such and such, you are appealing to authority in your argument. Nothing is ever true simply because an expert said it.


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It’s nearly time for the launch of the new weekly Finzels Reach market, which will specialise in fantastic local street food.
Opening at lunchtime this Friday (5 May), from 12pm to 2pm, the new market takes place on Old Temple Street, at the heart of the new Finzels Reach development opposite Castle Park.
The market launches with 13 street food traders and live music from the Barry Walsh Band. It was Barry Walsh who was the successful winner of naming the new bridge at Finzels Reach – now called Castle Bridge.
The market will showcase some the South West’s most exciting street food traders, and organisers CASUS Events have seen overwhelming demand from operators wanting to get involved.
Expect plenty of street food choices, including gourmet burgers and pies, mac and cheese, Thai and Indian curries, falafel wraps, sushi and much more. Regular traders will include Lovett Pies, Ah Ma Dumplings, Low n Slow, For Mice and Men, Bordeaux Quay Bakery, South Street Kitchen, Jacob’s Finest Falafel and Niang’s Thai Snacks.
The new venture is a collaboration between Cubex, the Bristol-based developers of Finzels Reach and CASUS Events, who will run the market, which will take place every Friday lunchtime.


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Starting Thursday, call it Time Warner
NEW YORK - As of Thursday, the world's largest media company will officially drop "AOL" from its name and be known as "Time Warner Inc.," as it was before it announced a merger with America Online at the height of the Internet boom in early 2000.
The company's shares will resume trading under their former ticker symbol of "TWX" Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange, instead of "AOL." The company will also change its Web site to www.timewarner.com from www.aoltimewarner.com.
Analyst's concerns hurt eBay shares
Shares of eBay Inc. fell 2.4 percent after a Smith Barney analyst reduced his rating to "sell" because of concern about the online auctioneer's automotive-auction sales potential.
The business, which accounted for as much as 20 percent of eBay's sales increases in the past two years, may not achieve growth expectations unless eBay makes changes, according to Smith Barney analyst Lanny Baker. He was the first analyst at a major Wall Street firm to downgrade the shares to "sell," according to Bloomberg data.
Starbucks to offer own credit card
Starbucks Corp., the largest U.S. coffee-shop chain, plans to offer a credit card that allows customers to earn a percentage of each transaction toward the purchase of food, beverages and merchandise at its stores.
Starbucks is joining with Bank One Corp. and Visa International Inc. on the Starbucks Card Duetto Visa, the companies said.
Customers will receive 1 percent back in "Duetto Dollars" on each card purchase, redeemable at Starbucks stores.
Motorola earnings better than expected
CHICAGO - Motorola Inc. issued better-than-expected third-quarter results and an upbeat forecast Monday, rushing out its earnings report early to counter a Moody's downgrade of its debt and concern about its future.
The company announced a $116 million profit and cited a boom in orders for new cell phones as evidence its stuttering recovery remains on track despite a pending leadership change and Wall Street's skepticism.
Smithfield top bidder for Farmland's pork
RICHMOND, Va. - Pork processing giant Smithfield Foods Inc. said Monday it won the bidding in an auction for bankrupt Farmland Industries Inc.'s pork business.
As part of the agreement, Smithfield will pay $367.4 million in cash for almost all the assets of the Kansas City, Mo., company's pork division, Farmland Foods. It will also assume $90 million in pension obligations, boosting the combined value of the bid to $457.4 million.
- From wire reports
LOCAL BUSINESS HEADLINES
Work starts at old McAlpin's
Government groups look for workers
Insurers send out Prilosec samples
Chamber backs $500M bond issue
NATIONAL BUSINESS HEADLINES
Kroger workers strike at 44 stores in W.Va., Ohio, Ky.
Kroger grapples with strike
Martha Stewart does not anticipate time in prison
States battle fed for cheaper, imported medicine


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Mastercard Love Index: It’s All About ‘Contactless’ and Sentimental Experiences This Valentine’sFebruary 14, 2018 | Singapore
Looking to win over your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Try ‘date night’ experiences
The Mastercard Love Index released today, shows that romance does come in many forms. This Valentine’s Day, consumers in Singapore will continue to invest in experiences over material goods. New data from the index shows that the number of transactions on sentimental spending increased by 21% during Valentine’s Day in 2017, compared to Valentine’s Day in 2015.
The annual study created by analyzing credit, debit and prepaid transactions across the three Valentine’s Day period (11th-14th February 2015-2017), reveals that the most popular way to your lover’s heart is through their stomach, as dining out for ‘date night’ takes top spot - the share of spend on restaurants has remained stable over the past 3 years; taking a 31% share of spend and a 71% share of transactions in 2017.
Whisking your partner away on an unforgettable travel experience (via air or train) also saw a significant rise as the number of transactions increased by 41% in 2017, accounting for 30% of total spend. Indulging in a hotel stay remains another firm favorite with 30% share of spend.
The data support the rise of the ‘experience economy’ as happiness clearly comes from creating lasting memories - worthy of posting on social media - instead of purchasing material goods.
When it comes to paying for purchases, adopting contactless technology seems perfect for avoiding those awkward moments when the bill comes. In Singapore, the value of transactions rose by a massive 1,344%, and a 1,060% increase in the number of transactions since 2015, which significantly surpasses the global value of contactless (311% increase) and share of contactless transactions (203% increase).
According to the latest Mastercard Consumer Purchasing Priorities Survey, six in ten consumers in Singapore plan to surprise their loved ones with gifts and plan to spend an average of S$250 on gifts. Money spent on traditional Valentine’s Day gifts such as flowers decreased by 1%, although the number of transactions increased by 26%, showing that flowers remain a symbol of romance. However, jewelry has seen overall spend decrease by 33% and transactions decrease by 21% in 2017, compared to 2015.
The study, which looked at shopper behavior in more than 200 territories around the globe, also identified further purchasing trends. The trend for online shopping continues with a 37% increase in the number of e-commerce transactions from Valentine’s Day 2015 to Valentine’s Day 2017.
Lastly, when it comes to saying “I do”, over a third of consumers believe Valentine’s Day is the best day to propose or receive a marriage proposal!
Asia Pacific: Summary of consumer spending habits during Valentine’s Day across 2015-2017
- Sentimental spending has increased by 22% since 2015, with the overall number of transactions up by 74%
- 30% increase in the number of e-commerce transactions
- People are planning ahead with the majority (28%) of Valentine’s purchases happening on the 11th February (4.6 million transactions)
- The number of transactions on transportation (air and/or train) increased by 17% in 2017, accounting for 21% of total spend during Valentine’s Day period
- The share of contactless transactions has seen an increase of 46%, and the value of these transactions increased by 166%
- Spend on flowers in APAC increased by 39% vs. 2015 and the number of transactions also increased by 61%. Jewelry has seen overall spend increase by 21% with transactions increasing by 58% vs. 2015
Mastercard and its Suite of Research Properties
The Mastercard Index suite in Asia Pacific includes the long-running Mastercard Index of Consumer Confidence, as well as the Mastercard Index of Women’s Advancement, Mastercard Index of Financial Literacy, and the Mastercard Index of Global Destination Cities. In addition to the indices, Mastercard’s research properties also include a range of consumer surveys including Online Shopping, Ethical Spending and a series on Consumer Purchasing Priorities (covering Travel, Dining & Entertainment, Education, Money Management, Luxury and General Shopping).
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardAP, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Celina Lim, +65 6825 8075, +65 90997618
Ernest Lee, +65 6825 8027, +65 90109719


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Online retailers to accelerate growth plans to combat the COVID-19 crisis
Oct 21, 2020
New Paysafe study reveals that despite the impact of COVID-19, businesses are still innovating to maintain plans for future growth
London, UK: Three quarters (75%) of online UK businesses are experiencing a negative impact on their business due to COVID-19 and, even in the long term, the number that say the pandemic will have a negative effect on them (45%) outweighs those that believe it will have a positive impact on their business (31%). That’s according to new research out today from specialist payments platform Paysafe as part of its ‘Lost in Transaction’ report series, in which 1,100 small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) globally which operate online were asked about the effects of COVID-19 on their business.
However, despite the negative forecasting, overall more businesses remain optimistic about opportunities as a result of changes to their business model following the pandemic. 30% of businesses have seen an increase in profit margin (versus 26% which saw a decrease), 36% have seen an uptick in customers (versus 27% which saw a decline), and just over a quarter (26%) believe they are better positioned to enter new geographical markets, as opposed to 20% which say they aren’t.
Businesses have had no choice but to welcome change with over a third (36%) suggesting that COVID-19 has increased their ability to innovate. Around 84% of organisations have had to alter their operations to appeal to a broader target market with adapting digital strategies forming a core part of this. Of the businesses that made changes, 78% specifically diversified their payment offerings and as a direct result, 66% saw an increase in sales.
The importance of a seamless online checkout has been reinforced with the introduction of new consumer payment preferences. Some 37% of online brands have already integrated at least one new payment method into the checkout whereas 55% plan to introduce at least one more in the near future. With an increase in the variety of different payment methods used by consumers since the outbreak of COVID-19 — 37% of businesses have noticed an increase in the percentage of consumers using digital wallets and 20% have observed customers using crypto more often — over half of businesses (57%) now view their payment offerings as a priority.
As with all shifts, consumers are also thinking differently about how they make payments and what they use them for. Over a quarter of businesses surveyed (32%) think consumers are using new methods to track their spending more accurately, while 27% believe consumers are re-evaluating the role technology plays in their lives. As people are becoming more familiar with digital payments, according to businesses almost a third (29%) of consumers are valuing a more seamless experience online.
Paulette Rowe, CEO, Integrated and E-commerce Solutions, Paysafe Group, comments: “The shift to online has forced retailers to take a fresh look at the checkout experience and assess whether it is user friendly as well as secure. Though many SMBs believe the future is less than positive, there is still hope, as we have seen that some of the simplest innovations can spark growth. Now that customers are more willing to use different payment methods there is an opportunity to innovate at the checkout. Creating a seamless digital experience will help eCommerce services appeal to all generations and give businesses that all-important competitive edge.”
To view the findings of the report in full, please visit https://www.paysafe.com/lost-in-transaction-how-covid-19-reshaped-smb-checkout/
About the research
To compile this data Paysafe commissioned a survey by Sapio Research among 1,100 online businesses based in the US, UK, Canada, Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Germany, and 350 businesses that predominately sell products or services in-store based in the US and Canada, between 9-18 September 2020.
Paysafe Group (Paysafe) is a leading specialised payments platform. Its core purpose is to enable businesses and consumers to connect and transact seamlessly through industry-leading capabilities in payment processing, digital wallet, card issuing, and online cash solutions. With over 20 years of online payment experience, an annualised transactional volume of over US $98 billion, and approximately 3,000 employees located in 12+ global locations, Paysafe connects businesses and consumers across 70 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world. Delivered through an integrated platform, Paysafe solutions are geared toward mobile-initiated transactions, real-time analytics and the convergence between brick-and-mortar and online payments.
Visit us at: www.paysafe.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
Anna Howard, Director of Communications, Europe and Asia, Paysafe


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Table of Contents
- HDTV: Leading Holiday Device Sales
- Roku Rocks Black Friday
- The Widely Anticipated Boxee Box
- TV Everywhere Branching Out
- Will Vevo Fail?
- Netflix Subscribers are Streaming
- Video Streaming and Gaming Consoles Unite!
- Redbox: Strong Earnings, But Still a Villain
- NBC Comcast: Merger in the Air?
- Glee-Filled Tweets
- Leading the Online Video Revolution
- How Online Video is Growing
- Video Rights
- YouTube Challenged in Courts
- Key Takeaways
The fourth quarter largely saw a continuation of newteevee trends from the third quarter and before: growing consumption of online video, further development of TV Everywhere initiatives, villanization of Redbox by the Hollywood studios, and funding on the rise. One of the biggest news items for the quarter was the announcement of Comcast’s acquisition of NBC from GE. The joint venture was officially announced in early December after the parties agreed upon a price of $30 billion for a 51 percent stake in NBC.
Hardware manufacturers were gearing up for holiday shopping and cashing in during the fourth quarter. HDTVs were the big consumer electronics item for the holiday shopping season. According to research from Retrevo, 30 percent of Black Friday shoppers were looking to buy a new TV, compared to 22 percent buying a computer and 14 percent buying GPS and Blu-ray devices. Roku also rocked Black Friday shopping with a half-off sale on its high-end HD-XR (regularly priced $129.99, discounted to $64.99 for Black Friday). Only 500 devices were available at the low price point and Roku sold out of the discounted boxes within 20 minutes of opening sales on Black Friday.
The success of the Roku Black Friday sale, aside from being an excellent deal on a newly launched product, is an indicator of the growing popularity of online video viewing. This trend is being evidenced in numerous statistics being reported. For instance, according to research from One Touch and the Praxi Group, 62 percent of Netflix subscribers have used the company’s streaming service since its launch and roughly 54 percent of 1,000 users surveyed in October say they watch at least one movie or TV show a month. Both Nielsen and ComScore research shows a significant increase in video streams viewed in October 2009 vs. October 2008. However, there was a slight dip in the number of online video viewers in October from September levels (however total streams, streams per viewer, and time spent per viewer were all up).
Facebook had a strong quarter as it jumped to the No. 3 position in total streams viewed, according to Nielsen. YouTube, however, still dominates the market with 6.6 billion streams, as compared to the next leading competitor with 633 million streams in October. However, being king has its costs. YouTube found itself entangled in multiple lawsuits during the quarter, with several cases surrounding copyright infringement. YouTube continues to battle Viacom on this front, and during fourth quarter, evidence that YouTube managers were aware of unauthorized content yet choose to keep the material up weakened the web video pioneer’s case.
The cable operators continue their pursuit of TV Everywhere. Comcast formalized its product with a new name, “Xfinity” which replaced the temporary name of OnDemand. The initiative is also making its way to Canada, with Rogers Communications launching its version of TV Everywhere in late November. Apple also intends to launch a mobile version of TV Everywhere and will charge $30 per month for the service. Disney also vocalized its preference for a fee-based TV Everywhere, arguing that the service provides a better consumer experience, one for which users should pay.
The online video market appears to be gaining strength, regardless of lawsuits and the general uncertainty that accompanies forging into a new frontier. This is evidenced in the growth of viewers as well as growth in funding. While the total number of funding deals in the fourth quarter was similar to third quarter activity, the value of individual raises was significantly higher in the fourth quarter, indicating the beginning of a freeing up of capital to invest in this burgeoning market.


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The Taiwan-based company recently debuted the second generation of its solid-state power pack during a tech conference in Europe. The flat, rectangular battery cell design is lighter and packs more punch than the traditional cylindrical concepts, company officials told CleanTechnica.
As an example, the Mercedes EQE 350+ could increase its range by 79%, to 447 miles on a charge, according to an ArenaEV report. The story also noted a significant drop in weight — a savings of “around 254 pounds.”
“With a clear roadmap for capacity ramp-up and technology development, we are making an all-out effort to accelerate the electrification revolution by providing improved energy solutions to our partners,” ProLogium CEO Vincent Yang told CleanTechnica.
As part of the unique design, the battery uses a solid-state ceramic electrolyte. All batteries have electrolyte, the substance where the charge/discharge cycle happens. The substance is a liquid in common lithium-ion batteries. In ProLogium’s design, the experts use solid ceramic, part of how they created a more powerful, yet lighter, battery.
The design results in a flat, rectangular battery that is shown in the clip fitting in the bottom of an EV.
“Production processes will produce less waste … which means increased sustainability and affordability,” Simon Wu, who is assistant vice president of the product center, said in a press release.
The company clip shows an illustration of the packs powering planes, trains, and boats.
As for automobiles, EVs in Europe should begin test runs with the innovative batteries by the end of the year, according to ProLogium. And a more than $5 billion factory in Dunkirk, France, is scheduled to be built this year, ArenaEV reports.
It’s part of “another pioneering battery concept that will take EV battery design to the next level in terms of long range, light-weight, and design flexibility,” Yang said in the release.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.


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The iPhone 15 series should deliver a few notable changes next year. Apple should make the switch to USB-C on all models. Moreover, the Pro Max variant should be called iPhone 15 Ultra and feature a periscope lens. But these are just rumors at this time. What seems more certain is Apple’s 5G Qualcomm modem choice for the iPhone 15 series.
Apple has been working for years on developing its own 5G modem for iPhone and iPad. But the company has been employing Qualcomm’s chips in its products since the two companies settled their legal fight a few years ago.
Per Bloomberg, Qualcomm will provide the 5G modem chips for the “vast majority” of iPhones in 2023. That’s a significant development for the chipmaker, as Qualcomm had expected to start losing business to Apple’s custom 5G chip as soon as this year.
The company had planned to provide only 20% of the 5G modem parts for the 2023 iPhones. But Qualcomm now expects to retain most orders for the iPhone 15 series. The development comes from Qualcomm’s earnings report released on Wednesday. The chipmaker confirmed that Apple wouldn’t switch to its own 5G modems this year.
Qualcomm continues to believe that it will receive only minimal revenue contributions from Apple in the fiscal year 2025.
Bloomberg says that Apple won’t begin a switch to its own modem chips at least until 2024. The iPhone maker reportedly encountered overheating issues with its 5G chips, which must be fixed.
Apple moving to its own 5G modem chips is the kind of move we’ve always expected from the company. Apple tries to develop its own processors and key parts for its hardware products. A custom 5G modem could come in handy in future devices beyond the iPhone and iPad. MacBooks and AR/VR headsets of the future could benefit from always-on 5G connectivity.
As for the iPhone 15 series, the 2023 devices should deliver reliable 5G experiences regardless of whether Qualcomm provides the cellular modem. It’s too early to tell what to expect when it comes to 5G performance or efficiency gains from the next iPhone modem.
For Qualcomm, keeping Apple’s iPhone business for at least one more year is certainly great news. But the chipmaker still has to deal with the current slump in the smartphone business. Qualcomm delivered a much weaker forecast than expected, with stock prices falling 8.4% in late trading.
More Apple coverage: For more Apple news, visit our iPhone 14 guide.


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RADIOLOGY SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA
Physicians in Florida are more pessimistic about the future of their profession
Drones: The missing link in cardiac arrest's chain of survival
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The U.S. presidential election of 1912 was an important one for America. According to Wikipedia, it featured a rare four-way contest between sitting President Taft, a Republican; former President Teddy Roosevelt of the “Bull Moose Party”; Democrat Woodrow Wilson and socialist Eugene Debs. Wilson won, leading the country reluctantly into World War I and later forming the League of Nations, now the United Nations.
The year 1912 was an important one for the Better Business Bureau as well. That is when Minneapolis formed an advertising Vigilance Committee, which changed its name four years later to the Better Business Bureau. The Minneapolis/St. Paul BBB, first of what would grow to be 116 offices across the U.S. and Canada, lists on its timeline some of scams the BBB has battled.
From 1933: “Search is now being made for one L. Martin, who used the local classified newspapers to obtain suckers for the purchase of a ‘secret formula’ whereby two pounds of butter could be made from one quart of milk and a miscellaneous assortment of powders. A Minneapolis individual paid $50 for the formula after a demonstration, only to discover later that two pounds of butter had been inserted into the churn before the quart of milk and assorted powders were added. A warrant has been issued for Martin’s arrest.”
And from 1986: “‘A popular national promotion targeting Minnesotans is the offer of a “boat, complete with motor!” at a very low price. The boat turns out to be a small blowup raft with a tiny battery-powered motor, battery not included.’
Federal postal regulations at the time required all shipments of questionable products to be made Cash on Delivery (COD); in other words, consumers had to “pay before they could peek,” often leaving them with products unlike what they were promised. The BBB of Minnesota partners with KSTP-TV reporter Neil Murray who airs two news reports warning consumers about the offer. Murray uses the reports during his testimony before a congressional panel in Washington to repeal COD/Pay-to-peek. The law is repealed.
The Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana was one of the first BBBs. A recent newspaper article by Jan Quintrall, our President and CEO, recalls advertising issues faced by the BBB Board back in 1926.
o Radio dealers misusing the claim “dynamic speakers”
o Fahey-Brockman ads in three local newspapers which prompted a men’s ready-to-wear group to meet and adopt standards for fair advertising
o Fuel dealers’ claims of what specific fuel products did for the life of your car
o Jewelry claims — this industry later became one of the strongest self-regulatory industries in the United States
o The Perpetual Encyclopedia Company and its door-to-door sales pitches
o Con men selling Spokanites shares in the “Ford Motor Company of England” – this alarmed the BBB Board enough to vote to write letters and send telegrams
As you head off to enjoy your advertising-filled President’s Day weekend, remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Investigate before you invest, and always Start with Trust by checking the track record of companies at www.bbb.org.
Did You Know?
Presidents Truman, Reagan, and Clinton all had something to say about the role of the BBB in the marketplace. View or listen to their quotes at our Centennial website.


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Ask marketing services executives what businesses in the troubled
The inclusion of Bailey, the largest company in Photon’s Australian field marketing division, underlines the growing importance marketing companies are placing on “brand activation", that is, reaching consumers after they have seen a traditional ad campaign and before they make a buying decision.
STW chief executive Mike Connaghan said the company had “real grunt" in “brand activation" creative areas with companies such as Evocatif, Punch and OgilvyAction, and the mystery shopping and retail auditing areas with Hoed and CBS. Field marketing was the missing link in its “brand activation" strategy.
Mr Connaghan said STW would expand Quality National Team, which is a minor rival to Bailey and other large field marketing companies such as Crossmark, CPM and Creative Activation, by winning new clients and tapping the skills of Smollan, which has offices in South Africa, China, Malaysia, India and Britain.
“Success in field marketing is reliant, in part, on having good technology to track in-store campaigns, report back to clients and so on," Mr Connaghan said. “Smollan has very good technology."
Y&R Brands is another marketing services company keen to add “brand activation" businesses.
“All our clients are looking at the last 10 feet, that is, finding ways to directly influence consumers when they are in stores deciding what products to buy, on websites searching for information, and so on," said Hamish McLennan, the New York-based Australian global chief executive of Y&R Brands, which is owned by WPP Group (London-based WPP’s interests also include 20.6 per cent of STW and 33 per cent of Smollan).
Last year Y&R Brands set up an alliance with US company Mars Shopper Marketing to improve its clients’ in-store marketing campaigns.
“We’re helping Mars expand beyond the US with some of our clients, including Colgate-Palmolive," Mr McLennan said.
“WPP has retail creative agencies, plus retail strategy and analytics companies. Retail field marketing is the next stage."
Clemenger Group’s decision to invest in Engage, a new “customer contact" business set up by direct marketing guru Kevin Panozza and his son Aaron late last year, was driven by a strategy to expand its “brand activation" interests, which include 56 per cent of Creative Activation.
“Brand activation will be the biggest growth component of our group over the next few years," Clemenger executive chairman Robert Morgan said (Clemenger owns 40 per cent of Engage).
“Its importance will increase as the ability of traditional media advertising to grab consumers diminishes," he said.
The Australian Financial Review


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Ljubljana – The proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products put forward by the European Commission is an important step towards protecting the world’s forests but contains many gaps and flaws that raise doubts about its potential effectiveness, warned Focus, a Slovenian environmental NGO.
“When importing goods from countries where mass deforestation is taking place, companies operating on the EU market will have to prove that the production of those goods has not led to the destruction of forests,” Focus said about the legislative proposal in a statement on Thursday.
“This is the first piece of legislation that really puts the onus on businesses, but its many loopholes cast doubt on whether it could really have an effective impact on global deforestation,” they stressed.
The EU is one of the biggest importers of products burdened by tropical deforestation and related emissions, added the Focus Association for Sustainable Development.
“Imported deforestation is the destruction of forests outside the EU’s borders, caused by the production of raw materials for products we consume in the EU,” Focus explained.
According to their data, the EU was responsible for 16% of imported deforestation and global forest destruction linked to international trade in 2017.
“For decades, companies in the EU have been able to import goods regardless of the damage caused by the producing country, so we certainly welcome regulation in this area,” commented Živa Kavka Gobbo, the president of Focus.
“But as it stands, the proposed regulation is not potent enough to protect the world’s forests and the people who live there. Therefore, its real effects in the fight against deforestation are questionable,” she added.
According to Focus, the regulation contains very few elements that would address the root causes of deforestation, poor forest management and grabbing land from indigenous peoples in producing countries.
“Prohibiting certain goods from being exported to the EU will only cause them to be exported to other markets. The EU should use this legislation to make radical changes on the ground,” according to Nina Tome, a member of Focus who deals with consumption-related deforestation.
“In addition, the European Commission’s proposal has not gone far enough towards protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, who are the best guardians of their forests,” Focus said.


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LAGRANDE, Ore. — Northwood Manufacturing, Inc. today announced the launch of its newly revamped website.
The site sports a clean, modern look with enhanced visuals and navigational tools. The site’s content includes larger scale photographs and floorplans, highly-detailed feature lists, multi-platform navigation and updated video content.
The site also remains committed to focusing on customer testimonials.
To view the revamped site, visit www.northwoodmfg.com.
SOURCE: Northwood Manufacturing, Inc. press release


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ACTA-discovery finds its way to the market
Immuno Valley partners the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA) and VU University Amsterdam recently signed a licensing agreement with health company BioClin.
A team of ACTA scientists, led by Dr. Floris Bikker and Prof. Enno Veerman, of the department of oral biochemistry, discovered five years ago that PHS (Phytosphingosine) binds to tooth enamel. PHS forms a protective layer over the tooth enamel, which protects the tooth from hazardous components like acid or bacteria. These findings are now being commercialized since the addition of PHS to oral care products is an innovative concept that will improve oral health. ACTA supports BioClin in investigating novel applications of PHS and BioClin is working together with larger companies that can develop oral care products.
Dr. Floris Bikker comments on the collaboration with BioClin:’ The Immuno Valley network and the kind Immuno Valley team has been instrumental in making the connection between ACTA and BioClin’.
VU University Amsterdam is the owner of the intellectual property and stimulates the translation of (academic) knowledge towards products and processes that benefit society via its knowledge transfer organisation Innovation Exchange Amsterdam (IXA).
BioClin develops, markets and supplies healthcare products for retail and business-to-business. The products of BioClin are based on scientific research. BioClin has an international focus and worldwide scope.
Source article: ACTA
Source image: scanning microscopic electrons (SEM), PHS, Queen Mary University of London


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“We describe servitization as the innovation of an organization’s capabilities and processes to deliver services rather than products alone,” explains Eleanor Musson, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Advanced Services Group, Aston University in a recent report.
The often-cited example for this is the pioneering Rolls-Royce “power-by-the-hour” jet engine offering. Instead of a customer purchasing an engine and a separate maintenance contract, a complete service is offered at a fixed cost-per-flying hour. This includes engine and accessory replacement, if required.
Acceleration towards everything-as-a-service
Traditionally, many companies sold physical and digital items and looked to sell support and maintenance contracts on the back of these sales. Via servitization, companies can provide a more compelling offering. They can increase value to their customers by bundling additional services through the lifetime of the product. This helps convert one-off buyers into ongoing subscribers, providing predictable revenue for the provider and data about customer behavior that can improve overall service design.
KONE, an international company specializing in elevators, escalators, autowalks and automatic doors, offers people-flow mapping as part of its servitization offering. The mapping capability, which analyzes data collected on in-building traffic patterns, helps customers assess where potential congestion areas are, for example, to minimize wait times.
Servitization helps to build strong customer engagement while erasing expensive CAPEX and providing a move to a more predictable OPEX model. A growing number of technology enterprises offers bespoke as-a-service tailored to their customers’ specific requirements. SaaS applications, for example, can be customized and integrated into an enterprise’s business application suite.
Elizabeth De Dobbeller, VP Head of EMEAR Partner Sales at Cisco, outlined three main reasons for the rise of as-a-service at Orange Hello! World 2021. She said, “Customers want business outcomes and new opportunities for value creation, extending the lifecycle of products and enhancing sustainability as part of the green economy.”
IDC warns that servitization must not be seen as simply another revenue grab for manufacturers and must provide a compelling reason for adoption. “The delivery of enhanced service offerings to customers is a lifeline to improved customer experiences, new value opportunities and differentiation. Customers have more choices than ever, even in traditional business-to-business environments, and the service experience is an opportunity for providers to partner with customers around shared goals and outcomes,” says Aly Pinder, Program Director, IDC Service Innovation and Connected Products Research.
Servitization can help support a green economy
Servitization also provides a way of speeding up the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. It removes, for example, high up-front investment costs that some companies are either not willing to or are not in a position to absorb.
It doesn’t stop there. According to De Dobbeller, servitization brings many significant environmental benefits, over and above technology costs. As part of a servitization model, companies can offer customers added-value services linked to the reuse and recycling of materials and components. Predictive maintenance can improve the longevity of systems.
Philips, for example, provides so-called circular lighting at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Instead of buying LED lighting, the airport buys “light-as-a-service” managed by Philips, which replaces and recycles them as necessary.
“Servitization brings with it many flexible options that support a green economy as they allow companies to monitor usage and adopt a sharing economy or circular economy principles,” explains De Dobbeller.
According to Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE), the servitization model is a key enabler in the systematic efficiency approach designed to reach global decarbonization goals. Systematic efficiency embraces smart technology, clean electrification and energy-efficient buildings and infrastructures alongside a circular economy approach to water, waste and materials.
Servitization is also a motivator for sustainable innovation, according to BASE. Under a pay-per-use model, enterprises can find innovative ways to increase efficiencies while maximizing the lifecycle of devices and recycling components as part of a circular economy. BASE believes this can take many forms: preventive maintenance utilizing AI; analyzing data to determine when a machine may need servicing; rethinking designs to ensure they are sustainable.
Servitization demands collaborative partnerships
Servitization is not about going it alone. It demands a move away from traditional linear supply chains and ways of working to a collaborative ecosystem of partners. “No vendor can build up an innovative platform alone, hence the power of partnership is essential,” explains Yves Martin, Chief Partner Officer at Orange Business.
These secure and digital platforms built via collaboration enable enterprises to adapt and innovate at speed. They may consist of several components. “Applications right now have their homes in different locations. The data and services that power them call for investment in automation, orchestration and also data integration,” explains De Dobbeller. Other critical components include connectivity, infrastructure and service management, essential ingredients in an agile architecture.
To be successful at servitization, it is imperative that enterprises align their products, technologies, operations and supply chains. They must provide new services that slot into business outcomes and are easy and appealing when it comes to customer adoption.
Data drives servitization
“Data and advanced analytics enable enterprises to capture new customer values,” explains Zena Smilga, Managing Consultant, Innovation and Business, Orange Business at Orange Hello World! 2021. This is done by gaining insight into customer behaviors, finding out what they want from a brand, and making their experiences better. These are the bricks on which servitization is built and are essential to offering services that will appeal to customer needs.
Smilga cites medical devices, connected cars and manufacturing machinery that have become a platform for data-driven services and operational efficiencies.
“Data is a game-changer here. It is all about keeping the customer happy, the loyalty, the love for the total experience and solution. It is also a means to be ahead of the customer, helping to predict the personalization element, getting insightful information on the experience and then building that into a re-invented customer-centric model,” adds Jean Critcher, Head of Consulting Practices, Orange Business Europe.
It is no longer enough to offer a quality product. Customers demand real-time responses, predictive maintenance, the ability to make smart decisions, self-service options and sustainability. Servitization enables enterprises to deliver on these requirements and, at the same time, second guess their customers’ needs. However, servitization isn’t an easy transformation to make.
Changes in corporate culture and structure
Developing a services value proposition demands significant input. Moving from a product-based to a service-based culture requires major modifications in a company’s organizational and corporate culture. This includes a change in focus and business model, careful planning and long-term commitment.
Enterprises looking to embark on a servitization journey need to be open to reimagining their business models, building vital partner ecosystems and creating a self-service-driven culture and mindset.
Enterprises need to create digitally-enabled, services-led business models that use data created by connected devices. To find out more, download a joint report from Aston University’s Advanced Services Group and Orange Business on how to build a competitive service.
Jan has been writing about technology for over 22 years for magazines and web sites, including ComputerActive, IQ magazine and Signum. She has been a business correspondent on ComputerWorld in Sydney and covered the channel for Ziff-Davis in New York.


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With this, the FMCG major would also generate a total of 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in the state. The proposed plant with a land requirement of 85 acres, will manufacture a variety of snacking products from the company.
Varun Berry, MD, Britannia Industries, said, “TN is one of our biggest and key markets for growth. It is the most diversified market and we have over the years invested towards strengthening our foothold in the state. We will continue to balance growth across our key markets as we look to further deepen our reach. To achieve this, we are also looking at an overall capex of about Rs 700 cr to set up new facilities in UP, TN, and Bihar, while also expanding manufacturing capabilities of our existing plants in Maharashtra and Odisha.”


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The Internet of Things (IoT) is going to grow a lot from 2023 to 2032, says a recent report. The market was worth $102.3 billion in 2022 and experts expect it to reach a huge $760.3 billion by 2032. That is a rate of 22.6% each year.
The big reasons for this impressive growth are more people wanting connected car services, a strong emphasis on making roads safer and the increase in services using data and making money from it. Even though there are challenges like keeping data private, worries about security, limits in infrastructure and issues with things working together smoothly.
In terms of communication dynamics, the vehicle-to-infrastructure segment dominated the market in 2022, securing almost half of the market share. It is anticipated to maintain this lead, offering security applications designed to prevent accidents. However, the part where vehicles talk to each other is expected to grow a lot, with a high rate of 24.4% from 2023 to 2032.
When examining application insights, navigation claimed the majority share in 2022 due to the growing adoption of connected vehicles. However, the telematics segment is poised to witness the highest CAGR of 25.8% from 2023 to 2032, particularly with its integration into electric vehicles (EVs).
Connectivity plays a crucial role, with tethered connectivity accounting for the largest share in 2022, enabling vehicles to access the internet through connected devices. Simultaneously, the embedded segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 24.2%, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including real-time traffic updates, remote vehicle control, and emergency assistance.
Regionally, North America took the lead in 2022, contributing over two-fifths of the global IoT in the automotive market revenue. This dominance is expected to persist, driven by the region’s increasing adoption of connected technologies. However, the Latin America, Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA) region are poised to experience the fastest CAGR of 25.4% from 2023 to 2032, fueled by growing connectivity and government initiatives promoting smart mobility.


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Ryden, the Scottish commercial property agency, has given a robust outlook for the year ahead after reporting strong annual growth.
Unveiling a 19 per cent hike in turnover to £13.8 million for the 12 months to 30 April, managing partner Bill Duguid said: “The next year will be an interesting time in the UK economy with a number of political events and changes to come, but I firmly believe our business is prepared to face any challenges thanks to the consolidated growth we have been experiencing.”
The firm’s annual accounts also showed profit available to members up by about a third to £5.3m.
Ryden said the highlights of the latest financial year included significant regional growth in Glasgow, up by 25 per cent to £4.6m, while in Edinburgh turnover was up by 15 per cent to £3.5m. Operations in England saw growth of 41 per cent.
Both the transactional and non-transactional sides of the business were up 20 per cent. The investment group had a “particularly good year of growth”, the firm, which has six offices, 42 partners and 110 staff, added – delivering 16 per cent growth on income and 27 per cent on profit.
Key transactions over the period included lettings at Atlantic Quay 1 and 3 in Glasgow, the purchase of an office building off St Andrew Square, Edinburgh for conversion to a Malmaison Hotel and the sale of the Vertex building at Eurocentral to BrewDog.


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Is someone asking you to convert your money into cryptocurrency "to prevent" suspicious credit card transactions?
Be careful, you're likely talking to a fraudster.
Coquitlam RCMP is asking the public to be aware of red flags when it comes to potential financial scams, especially if the caller is talking about cryptocurrency.
According to a police release today (April 25), a Tri-Cities resident recently lost thousands of dollars in a similar situation.
Spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins explained the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be with the fraud department of their credit card company and said there were suspicious transactions.
They were told to withdraw money from their bank account to prevent any further unauthorized purchases, convert it into cryptocurrency and transfer it to the fraudster's account "as part of the investigation."
However, it wasn't until after the transfer was complete — and the bank was called — that the victim realized they had been scammed.
They filed a police report shortly after.
"We want to remind the public to remain vigilant when asked to convert money into cryptocurrency," said Hodgins.
"Not all cryptocurrency scams are obvious, but people can take steps to spot the red flags before investing."
This is the second fraud warning of its kind from Coquitlam RCMP in less than four months.
In early January, Mounties said three fraud reports, involving a thousands of dollars, were called in over the holidays.
The victims were told their bank accounts had been compromised and were instructed by the scammer to take out what was left of their money to prevent future fraud and deposit it into a cryptocurrency ATM machine. They were told it would be used as "bait money" to catch those who had compromised their bank accounts.
"They were defrauded in each case," said Hodgins.
RCMP has listed the following steps for residents to protect themselves from possible investment scams.
- Get a second opinion from someone you trust
- ie. friend, lawyer or accountant
- Know that time-limited or high-pressure offers are signs of a scam
- Do your own research
- Visit the following websites for more information
Anyone with information about a potential scam, or if you believe you have fallen victim to fraud, you're encouraged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550, anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go online to www.solvecrime.ca.
- with a file from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News


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On June 3, the DORA (Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area) went into effect in Canton with a kickoff celebration at Canton First Friday. Canton Mayor and various city officials, partook in the first beverages that could be enjoyed outside in the city. Downtown Canton has now become the third city in the state of Ohio that allows people to carry alcohol refreshments outdoors within a specific area. This new initiative will create new buzz and excitement and will benefit downtown businesses and artists in the Canton Arts District.
Here is all you need to know about Canton’s open container district:
Where are you allowed to carry your cups?
DORA spans 69 acres of downtown, mostly bounded by Sixth Street, McKinley Avenue, Fourth Street, and Walnut Avenue. Blue signs mark the parameters where patrons can walk with their alcohol.
What are the rules?
-Any drinks taken to go must be in a designated plastic 16-ounce cup
-Carryout drinks will be sold from noon to midnight daily at participating businesses
-No drinks may be carried from one establishment selling alcohol into another
-Drinks must be purchased from participating business
-Drinking in vehicles is not allowed, unless the vehicle is parked
-Every business that does not sell alcohol, has the right to decide if they will allow patrons to bring in the DORA beverages
-To-go cups will have $1 charge attached to them, on top of the establishments drink price.
Amvets Post 555
Basil Asian Bistro
Buzzbin Art and Music Shop
Canton Brewing Company
Canton Palace TheatreCork & Canvas on Third
Cultured Coffee and Waffles
Grapes in a Glass
Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography
Napoli’s Italian Eatery
Picciano’s Martini Lounge
Picture Credit: Canton Repository


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Bangalore-based CoolCast has done away this step and claims to upload and share gigabytes of content on the fly.
A link to the website appears when videos on Google's streaming service, YouTube, are slow to buffer. The website quietly launched in May.
Yahoo announced Friday it has bought an Israel-based startup specializing in streaming high-quality video to computers and mobile devices.
Amazon is in "late stage talks" with Twitch but it was unclear whether the two parties had signed an agreement,The Information reported.
"With the YouTube Recharge plan, we are bringing down the barriers that inhibit users from enjoying their favourite video content on mobile."
Google would not say how many employees Songza had but it said the company would continue to work from its base in New York.
DreamHack, the largest LAN party in the world, is held in Sweden. It holds the world record for the world's largest LAN party and computer festival.
Alibaba Group & Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, the studio behind the 'Hunger Games' films, said that they will launch a subscription streaming service in China.


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By Alexandra Whiting
In March 2020, with the first wave of lockdowns looming, many Australians thought to seize the moment and turn the enforced home time into a mini season of The Block: Garden Week. Bunnings’ queues and profits increased (earnings grew 13 per cent for the 2019-20 financial year), and nurseries were picked over quick. “It was a mad time,” says Josh O’Meara, Director of The Jungle Collective – Australia’s biggest pop-up plant nursery company, which host pop-up sales around the country.
“Stuck at home, people went crazy with plant purchases. There just weren’t enough plants going around in the end. Lockdown also coincided with winter, which is when there’s always shortages of plants anyway so it was really a bit of a challenge.”
Early surges were in food plants and seedlings, but it soon flowed to decorative and indoor plants, particularly as the initial upside-gazing of COVID measures waned. It became less about home improvement and more about mental health. To those stuck at home, jobless, overwhelmed, lonely or anxious, plants offered something else: a reminder that things are changing, time is moving, and a sense of achievement.
It’s a concept that Melbourne-based O’Meara understands well. Three years ago, he had a concussion (his 12th in fact, the result of too many knocks playing Aussie Rules football) that meant he was largely homebound. Unable to read, look at a screen or do too much physical activity, he got into plants. “It was a slow pace that I could really handle, but also that optimistic thing, when you’re recovering, and things are moving pretty slow, seeing that new leaf grow is uplifting and a reminder that things keep getting better. I think with lockdown, people found that same thing.”
Almost a year on from the first lockdown, it’s a different story. “A lot of growers expanded to keep up with the crazy demand and added more variants. So now is the perfect time to buy because everything is starting to get big and look really good again.”
COVID might have given plants the biggest boom since the fiddle leaf fig became a trendy home must-have in 2016, but with more variants available, prices a flutter and having a happy home space more important than ever, what should we be growing? Here’s how to be a cool, calm plant parent in the golden age of greenery.
“Fiddles and monsteras, giant birds [of paradise], rubber trees and Bangalow palms, they’re all nice, beginner plants,” says O’Meara, adding that the fiddle leaf fig is still a phenomenon, particularly when it gets big, (which, if you bought one five years ago, yours may be).
Melissa King, horticulturalist and Northcote Pottery Ambassador agrees, “The fiddle leaf fig will always have a special place in peoples’ homes, for its big bold foliage and the height and drama it brings to a space.” It has, however, been surpassed. “The monstera deliciosa is the standout seller at the moment,” says O’Meara. Also known as the Swiss cheese plant (because of its holey leaves), this Monstera has similar oversized, but greener leaves than the fiddle and grows wide as well as tall.
Thrives on neglect
“Now that people have mastered the art of growing fiddles, they have moved on to more striking and unusual indoor beauties like the white variegated monstera, which has developed a cult following or plants that green your home without the hard work,” says King.
Which path you choose probably has to do with how much success you’ve had. If you need something that survives being ignored, our experts suggest a Zanzibar Gem, devil’s ivy, philodendron ‘brasil’ or mother in law’s tongue (sansevieria). “It’s virtually indestructible and has a wonderful spiky architectural form”.
Hedge your bets
According to O’Meara, there’s the mainstream popular, and the rare popular. “Once people start getting into the rare factor, it gets wild. They are the ones that suppliers struggle to keep up with the demand so the price just goes up and up and up. Some of these plants are selling for $10,000. It’s mad.”
If you’re looking for rare, but popular, he suggests the Variegated Epipremnum pinnatum. The name might not be as catchy, but it is very pretty. Its heart-shaped leaves appear almost acid washed, with as much creamy white as green on the leaves. “The one to look out for,” says O’Meara. “They aren’t that expensive yet, considering how good they are, if you got in now, you’d be ahead of the wave.”
Pinterest predicted the Japandi aesthetic to be the minimalism makeover décor lovers would swoon over in 2021. The Japanese Scandinavian mash up requires sleek designs, neutral colour palettes and a seemingly impossible indoor tree. O’Meara, who has a five-metre Illawarra flame tree growing in his living room, says while not impossible, indoor trees require more work.
“Pests are more likely. Outside they have predators and it usually balances out, but indoors they are protected, so you want to know what you’re doing in terms of pests and making sure the position is optimal for light.” If you’re up for the challenge, he recommends a Ficus, “it can handle lower light.”
Understanding your space is key, says O’Meara. “Analyse where the light is. If it’s warm or drafty. Then do a little bit of research on what species will be best for that area.” Once they’re in, perfect your watering, “overwatering is one of the biggest killers of indoor plants,” says King.
“So, before you get out the watering, do the ‘finger test’. If the soil is dry down to your second knuckle it’s time to give them a drink and make sure water doesn’t accumulate at the bottom of your indoor cover pots or tray.”
Drainage holes are important people! If you’re guilty of over, or under watering your plants, try a self-watering version.
Then it’s down to a little bit of housekeeping, “I use a moist cloth to wipe down the leaves of my house plants from time to time to prevent an accumulation of dust. I’ve even been known to pop them in the shower every month or so to remove any build-up on the foliage and make them look all shiny again,” says King. If a leaky watering can wetting your rug and carpet is your main watering deterrent, O’Meara suggests a spray gun. “More control, but slower. You have to pick your battles, but it definitely creates less mess.”
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Last Thursday Nokia (NYSE:NOK) announced its financial results for the fourth quarter. It posted a net loss of $1.4 billion on revenue of more than $13 billion. The loss was mainly due to a writedown for its digital mapping assets.
Nokia's fourth-quarter core earnings per share were better than the market's expectation. The results were boosted by a $250 U.S. million payment from Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) as part of the Windows Phone sales deal.
There was some good news to report as well: Nokia confirmed that it has sold "well over" 1 million Windows Phone handsets so far. Not bad for a new product line that's been on the market for roughly two months.
As mentioned in my last article Nokia's line of Windows Phone handsets carries the Lumia brand. The company delivered two Lumia models, the Lumia 800 and 710, to consumers in Europe in November 2011. The company then announced a U.S. model, the Lumia 900, in January. That product will hit the market on March 18.
"To date, we have introduced Lumia to consumers in Europe, Hong Kong, India, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan," Nokia CEO Stephen Elop noted in a prepared statement. "We have also started our important re-entry into the North American market ... we are in the heart of our transition."
Overall, Nokia handset sales fell 29 percent when compared with the same quarter a year ago. But the company's sales are strong. It sold 20 million smartphones in Q4 2011, in addition to 94 million feature phones, for a total of more than 113 million handsets. (In the year-ago quarter, it sold almost 124 million devices, and the average per-device price has dropped from $91 to $70.)
Nokia's push for 2012 will include a massive marketing campaign aimed at giving the company a new beachhead in the United States, a market that Nokia basically ignored even while it was performing strongly. Nokia's flagship device, the Lumia 900, will sell for just $99 with a two-year contract, helping establish a new upper limit for Windows Phone handset pricing.
Nokia and Microsoft will together spend more than $130 million marketing the Lumia 900 just in the first half of 2012, and in the United States only. That figure includes $90 million aimed at TV, print, and digital advertising, with Nokia spending $60 million, or two-thirds of the total front-line ad budget for just that one handset.
Nokia's other devices, like the Lumia 710, will have smaller but still impressive ad budgets. For example, Nokia and Microsoft have set aside $25 million to market the Lumia 710 in the United States in the first half of 2012 alone.
Microsoft has tried to enter the mobile industry for more than 10 years, but with little success. Microsoft's deal with Nokia was make or break for its ambitions in this sector.
Nokia's agreement with Microsoft is one of a kind. In exchange for royalty payments estimated to reach into the billions over the life of the agreement, Microsoft makes quarterly "platform support payments" of $250 million to Nokia according to the vendor's earnings report.
"Our broad strategic agreement with Microsoft includes platform support payments from Microsoft to us as well as software royalty payments from us to Microsoft," Nokia stated in a press release. "In the fourth quarter 2011, we received the first quarterly platform support payment of USD 250 million (EUR 180 million). We have a competitive software royalty structure, which includes minimum software royalty commitments. Over the life of the agreement, both the platform support payments and the minimum software royalty commitments are expected to measure in the billions of US Dollars."
The deal should be worth billions on Nokia's side of the equation, and Microsoft gets a number of things in return for its payments totaling $1 billion per year. As Windows Phone struggles to gain traction while Android and iOS dominate the smartphone market, Nokia represents a huge opportunity to help put the platform in the hands of consumers. Though Nokia's smartphones shipments are in sharp decline, the vendor still sold almost 20 million units into channels last quarter.
Nokia also contributes development efforts to Microsoft's mobile platform. While other Windows Phone partners simply license the software as vendors did with Windows Mobile, Nokia's position involves software development that will help shape the core Windows Phone OS.
Microsoft's mobile platform in more than a year old now, and its late entrance into the market has made consumer adoption quite slow. Carriers and subscribers are very focused on Android and iOS, and Microsoft had few choices beyond its current arrangement with Nokia. Whether or not the multi-billion dollar deal will pay off remains to be seen, but I think it has a good chance of succeeding.
Nokia could be gearing up to launch a Windows 8 tablet if CEO Stephen Elop's cryptic remarks are to be believed. Elop did hint at 'opportunities' in the mobile and Windows ecosystem.
The CEO also talked about Microsoft's overall strategy for PCs, tablets and phones. Elop also talked about phone networks taking part in a 'larger play' - what else could he be talking about except selling other mobile gadgets to their customers, like tablets?
A Nokia Windows 8 tablet might look like the stretched Lumia above.
There is still a lot of fantasy left for a turnaround play such as Nokia. Investors who have faith and believe in the new Windows phones can snap up shares with an opportunity discount.
Disclosure: I am long NOK.


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Bethany police nab shoplifing suspect
The Bethany Beach Police Department (BBPD) curtailed what appears to have been a long-running shoplifting activity, targeting any number of local jewelry stores and retail shops, predominantly in Bethany Beach.
BBPD’s Sgt. Rick Hayden responded to a call from one of those shops on Aug. 5, after proprietors reported someone attempting to sell jewelry that, while not identical, appeared to contain elements from pieces previously gone missing.
Hayden found Lewes resident Patricia Brittingham in possession of stolen merchandise, and retrieved several additional stolen items she had on her person.
She reportedly offered a confession — that she had a problem with shoplifting.
Following up, the BBPD exercised a search warrant at Brittingham’s home on Aug. 8, and recovered another $5,000 worth of jewelry and watches.
“The way she was operating — she’d steal a necklace or bracelet, take it apart, make her own jewelry out of it and try to resell it,” explained BBPD Cpl. Joanna Robertson.
Brittingham was charged with receiving stolen merchandise and shoplifting. She was released on a $4,000 bond, pending an appearance in the Court of Common Pleas.
Hayden set up a large display at town hall on Aug. 10, in an effort to reunite local retailers with their waylaid items.


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“Beer is Back!”: Budweiser Toasts its History with 75th Anniversary Repeal of Prohibition Commemoration
ST. LOUIS . — American workers and beer drinkers across the nation will raise a glass on April 7 to toast a significant milestone in the history of American brewing – the 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition for beer in the United States.
At the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, the nation’s largest brewer will celebrate the historic anniversary with a gathering commemorating the events of April 7, 1933, including the introduction of the Budweiser Clydesdales and the re-broadcast of August A. Busch, Jr.’s national radio address from the steps of the Budweiser brewery’s Bevo bottling plant. A new historical exhibit at Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis tour center (www.budweisertours.com), including more than 50 rare Prohibition-era items, is now also open to the public. Artifacts on display include photos, bottles and advertisements for Prohibition-period products, as well as a video tribute to the events of April 7, 1933.
“Budweiser was America’s best-selling beer from 1898 until Prohibition effectively halted production in 1919, so naturally, the whole country looked to Anheuser-Busch to lead the celebration as the first cases of Budweiser rolled out of our St. Louis brewery just after midnight on April 7, 1933,” said Tom Shipley, Budweiser brand director, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Seventy-five years later, Budweiser is still the world’s most popular premium American lager. We are proud to once again celebrate this date and encourage adult beer drinkers everywhere to raise a Budweiser to toast this historic occasion.”
On the night of April 6, 1933, more than 25,000 St. Louisans, representing the hopes and dreams of American workers, long since home from the war and demoralized by the Great Depression, gathered with eager hearts and tin cups in hand to once again sip the bittersweet nectar of Budweiser, a sensation unknown to them for 14 years.
As the clock atop the brewhouse showed one minute past midnight on April 7, 1933, sirens and steam whistles sounded, the large wooden doors of the brewery’s Bevo bottling plant opened to the cheers of the thirsty, and 55 trucks laden with America’s favorite brew rolled out into the night, delivering the first cases of post-Prohibition Budweiser to the masses.
The airwaves echoed with the charming voice of August A. Busch, Jr., who spoke to the nation through a special radio broadcast via KMOX CBS Radio, welcoming the return of beer saying “Beer is back!” and restoring confidence in American industry during the Depression. “April the 7th is here and it is a real occasion for thankfulness marking a newfound freedom for the American people made possible by the wisdom, foresight, and courage of a great President and the cooperation of an understanding Congress,” Busch proclaimed.
Simultaneously, the Budweiser neon-lit clock in New York’s Times Square rang out with the tune, “Happy Days Are Here Again.”
“National Prohibition significantly altered the course of American brewing history and negatively impacted the greater American society. Its repeal 75 years ago – putting thousands of Americans back to work and infusing millions into the economy – rightfully should be celebrated by brewers, beer drinkers and the American public alike,” Shipley said. “Budweiser is proud to have played a part in restoring confidence in the American economy during those trying times, and will honor our legacy and history of innovation during this much-anticipated anniversary.”
Anheuser-Busch annually celebrates the repeal of Prohibition on April 7, the day the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect, legalizing the sale of 3.2% alcohol by volume beer in the District of Columbia and the 20 states in which state laws did not prohibit its sale. Though the national repeal of Prohibition for all forms of alcohol did not become finalized until December 5, April 7 will always mark the most significant anniversary in the American beer industry.
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New Vaping Regulations Inadequate - Industry Expert
Proposed Government regulations to control the sales of vaping products may not go far enough to protect Kiwis wanting to quit smoking according to an industry leader.
While thousands of New Zealanders have used their time in lockdown to quit smoking and are seeking out alternatives, there is concern many products on the international market are simply not safe.
Under new Government regulations introduced to parliament earlier this year, the sale of vaping products to under 18-year-olds would be prohibited.
The controversial proposals would also see a ban on advertising, a restriction on the number of flavours which can be sold outside speciality retailers and introduce a product safety system.
But Paul Williamson spokesperson for NZ owned Shosha, the country’s largest retailer of e-cigarettes, says the regulations do not go far enough and will not cover the quality of the product purchased online from international platforms.
Williamson who operates 60 stores under the Shosha brand says regulation in the industry is long-overdue and welcomes the new bill. He says of particular concern is the number of young people who have access to the products.
He welcomes the new age regulation and says more needs to be done to ensure that this is enforced.
“We are a specialist store and have always had an R18 restriction on our products. Failing to adhere to this, causes danger to young people’s health and also puts at risk an industry which is designed to help those trying to take better care of themselves by quitting smoking.
“What is absent from the new regulations appears to be an understanding of how offshore purchases will be managed.
“Currently it appears that anyone will still be able to make a purchase from an overseas website and have the product shipped to their door - which may bypass age restrictions and quality controls,” he says.
Williamson says since the lockdown staff have reported a growing number of new customers who say they are wanting to take better care of their health post COVID-19.
“Customers coming into our stores have told us that being at home has made them focus on their health and that COVID-19 has been a wake-up call,” he says.
Tobacco prices also went up prior to lockdown with an 11.46 per cent increase in tobacco excise from January 1 this year. A pack of cigarettes now retails for nearly $40, on average.
Smoking kills around 5000 New Zealanders every year and new research from the University of Canterbury has found an increase of $15 or more would see a 20% increase in the number of respondents switching to e-cigarettes.
New Zealand has a goal of being smokefree - defined as fewer than 5 percent of people smoking - by 2025.


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Samsung's plan to acquire LoopPay gives the mobile phone maker a technology that can reach more merchants faster than Near Field Communication (NFC), the technology used by Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
The move, announced today, is especially striking given that Samsung has long built NFC into its handsets for other purposes, and thus would not have to wait for its customers to upgrade their phones to use an NFC wallet. Apple, by contrast, built NFC only into iPhone 6 models, which came to market late last year.
LoopPay's technology executes contactless payments by using a fob or case to transmit a magnetic signal to a standard point of sale terminal. Ninety percent of terminals see LoopPay's signal as a physical card swipe, so most merchants would not have to upgrade to new hardware. One of Apple Pay's challenges has been winning over merchants; notably, CVS and Rite Aid turned off their NFC readers shortly after Apple Pay's launch.
Instead of using a LoopPay fob, Samsung can build LoopPay's technology into its next smartphones, eliminating the need for consumers to buy separate hardware to make mobile payments. The technology can coexist with NFC, but Samsung's deal for LoopPay demonstrates its reluctance to go with an NFC-only strategy.
The acquisition marks a much more proactive step than Samsung has typically taken in mobile payments. With few exceptions, Samsung's moves have made the company seem like a fast follower. Its earliest Samsung Wallet looked very much like Apple's Passbook app, and Samsung built a fingerprint reader into its Galaxy smartphones only after Apple debuted the technology in its iPhones.
But Samsung has also, at times, shown a willingness to go against the prevailing wisdom in how to handle payments. When many mobile wallet makers were building systems based on scanning two-dimensional QR codes, Samsung created a system that lets its phones emulate the one-dimensional bar codes already used in stores. This move enabled its phones to work with the many laser scanners that are not compatible with most other handsets.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the acquisition, LoopPay founders Will Graylin and George Wallmer will work with Samsung's mobile division.
Samsung was already a strategic investor in LoopPay, along with Visa and Synchrony Financial. Samsung and LoopPay were also recently rumored to be collaborating on a mobile payments project.
In addition to providing Samsung with an alternative to NFC payments, the acquisition addresses a problem with LoopPay's own business model. LoopPay has typically required consumers to buy the add-on hardware, which can cost up to $90. This could be a tough sell for consumers who are used to getting payment cards or apps for free.


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Motorola has emerged victorious from a legal skirmish with Apple as the US ITC ruled that Motorola did not infringe Apple’s patents.
Apple had alleged that Motorola’s Android smartphones infringed three Apple patents. A successful action could have seen Motorola devices banned from import into the US market.
"We are pleased with today’s favorable outcome for Motorola Mobility," said Motorola counsel Scott Offer. The ruling so far is preliminary so it still needs to be ratified.
Assuming the decision is upheld, the win builds on Motorola’s earlier success in a German court. The three patents which the ITC said Motorola did not infringe upon were part of the usual counter-sue operation following Motorola suing Apple over a raft of patents.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had vowed ‘thermonuclear war’ on Android, believing the OS to be to be ‘stolen’. It’s possible the win could cool Apple’s strategy of all out battle in the courts.


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November issue out now!
Dealerships may be at risk of having sales scuppered and business jeopardised because of the time it can take to remove vehicles from the PPSR.
Three electric-car makers are tackling safety issues with two issuing recalls amid fears of their batteries going up in flames and a third delaying a model’s launch.
The MTA’s Tony Everett explores what the clean car proposal is all about and Mike Noon explains what the AA’s “election calls 2020” are.
We take a look at the new cabinet, who’s replaced Phil Twyford as Minister of Transport and what policies affecting the car industry Labour may have up its sleeves.
Companies have been innovating to keep operations running smoothly following the impact of Covid-19. We chat to Sean Stevens, of VINZ, and Protecta’s Phil Hibbert about what they have done.
Marc Ebolo has been appointed managing director of GM Australia and New Zealand – he was previously MD of Holden NZ – while Andrew Brough takes up a top role at Avanti Finance.
VIA’s Kit Wilkerson delves into the world of autonomous cars, while the LVVTA has formally signed a supply agreement with the NZTA.
Data from hundreds of EV owners shows Kiwis are using their cars less now, even after the easing of coronavirus lockdowns, reports Flip The Fleet’s Henrik Moller.
Plus: AdTorque Edge’s Todd Fuller on why social media is a “vital component” for dealers’ marketing, Toyota NZ’s boost for motor racing, marques’ strategies on bolstering their market shares and in-depth industry statistics.


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Mojave, Calif., Awarded Membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry
April 25, 2013 – Mojave has been awarded membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of Union Pacific's ongoing efforts to highlight cities with a historical connection to the railroad. The city received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young in a special presentation to the Mojave Chamber of Commerce board today. Union Pacific launched its Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's 150th anniversary celebration in 2012.
"We are proud to recognize Mojave as we celebrate our growing up together," said Lisa Stark, Union Pacific director – public affairs. "Union Pacific was founded to help connect the nation from east to west. Our shared heritage with Mojave is a source of pride as we remember our past while delivering the goods American businesses and families use every day."
Mojave was founded in 1876 when Southern Pacific Railroad developed plans for a station on the rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 1996, Union Pacific Railroad merged with Southern Pacific. Today, Mojave continues to be an important railroad junction through which Union Pacific serves customers from a variety of industries including mining, the military, construction and more.
Union Pacific serves nearly 7,300 communities in 23 states west of Illinois, covering 32,000 miles.
Courtesy of www.uprr.com
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Now Apple wants us to use our phones less.
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After major shareholders criticized the addictive nature of the devices, Apple is announcing a new program that will (allegedly) curb everyone’s smartphone dependence.
A letter from investors who own about $2 billion in Apple shares read, “There is a growing body of evidence that, for at least some of the most frequent young users, this may be having unintentional negative consequences.”
The letter from the Jana Partners LLC and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System also requested that Apple research how smartphone use can influence mental health issues.
Apple engineers have been working on an initiative dubbed Digital Health, a series of tools to help users monitor how much time they spend on their devices and inside of certain applications. These details will be bundled into a menu inside of the Settings app in iOS 12, the likely name of Apple’s refreshed mobile operating system, according to people familiar with the plans.
Former Apple exec Tony Gadell said, “We need to have tools and data to allow us to understand how we consume digital media… We need to get finer-grain language and start to understand that an iPhone is just a refrigerator, it’s not the addiction.”
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Apple’s New Health Initiative To Address Device Addiction was originally published on globalgrind.com